Paul Bonhomme
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Grossartiger Brite Paul Bonhomme feierte in der vergangenen Saison seinen Durchbruch. Für lange Zeit führte er die Meisterschaften an und kam insgesamt auf neun Podiumsplätze. Im letzten Rennen in Perth (AUS) strauchelte der Brite aber und fiel mit einem fünften Platz hinter den Amerikaner Mike Mangold zurück. Der Brite hat von den Aktivitäten seiner Rivalen während der Saisonvorbereitungen natürlich Notiz genommen und tüftelt mit seinem Techniker Wade Hammond an seinem Flugzeug. Die Modifikationen an seiner Edge erforderten viele Tests, aber Bonhomme ist überzeugt, dass es Möglichkeiten für technische Verbesserung gibt. „Das ist ein neuer Sport und wir sind alle noch im Lernprozess begriffen. Technisch ist noch einiges möglich, durch Modifikation am Flugzeug lässt sich noch Zeit herausholen. Ich finde das interessant, ein weiterer Punkt, der die Meisterschaften spannend macht. Natürlich soll das Air Race nicht zu einer reinen Technik-Schlacht werden. Dafür gibt es festgesetzte Limits, die wir aber so gut wie möglich ausreizen wollen“, gibt er die Marschrichtung vor.
2007 2. Platz Sonstige Erfolge 2005 FAI WGP, Bronze, V.A.E.; Gold, Schweiz FAI WGP Meisterschaften – drei erste und ein zweiter Platz
Britain’s Paul Bonhomme had a breakout season in 2007, leading the championship much of the way with nine straight podium finishes before stumbling in the final race of the season with a sub-par fifth place to end up a close second in the championship to American Mike Mangold. It was a major improvement from fourth place in 2006 for the airline captain from Cambridgeshire but also a major disappointment to come up just short. “To win the world championship you have to be extremely good and consistent all year,” says Bonhomme, who adds his appetite for the title has only grown after coming so close last season. “It was frustrating. I flew pretty well all year. But for some reason, I was on the back foot all week in Perth. To win a race, let alone the championship, everything has to be perfect.” Bonhomme, who needed every bit of his good British humour to bounce back from the heartbreak of the last race at Perth, has set his sights on the title in 2008 even though he knows the increased competition at the top of the field will make the feat even harder than in 2007. In his white Edge 540, Bonhomme was a joy to watch in 2007 and many of the other pilots dropped what they were doing to take a look at his near flawless runs. Bonhomme developed a world-wide following of fans by making it almost look easy with his graceful style of flying through the obstacle course. It should be no surprise that he was the only pilot to go the whole season without ever hitting a pylon. Bonhomme, who lost five kilos (12 pounds) last year to boost his plane’s performance, spent the off-season in the winter running and biking to be in even better condition in 2008. “Being lighter and fitter is one advantage as it’s easier to perform under pressure when you’re feeling fit,” he says. “Weight-wise it helps when you’re in the track because there is less for the engine to pull around the course and less work for the wing to do.” Bonhomme, who lives north of London with his girlfriend Laura, comes from a long line of aviators. His father was a pilot in the British Army Air Corps and later an airline captain. His brother is also an airline captain. Bonhomme, who flies long-haul jumbo jets between races, began cleaning planes as a boy at an Aero Club and earned his flying licence at 17. He immediately turned to aerobatics and has flown in over 500 air shows since 1986, many together with fellow Red Bull Air Race pilot and Brit Steve Jones.
2007 2nd Flying achievements 2005 FAI WGP, Bronze, U.A.E.; Gold, Switzerland FAI WGP Championships – three 1st place medals, one 2nd place medal |
