Honda Dream Team
On
the 13th of January 2006 Will Curtis flying a Sukhoi Su 26 as part of
the Honda Dream Team set a new world record at the Al Ain Aerobatic Show
where he successfully cut eight ribbons flying at only a few feet above
the ground (see photos). The next day he flew under a row of nine ribbons.
2005 is the second full season for the Honda Dream Team. Pilots Will Curtis and Bill Giles, flying the unique Sukhoi SU26 and Pitts Special. They have thrilled audiences nation wide with their unrivalled aerobatic displays.
Will and Bill are continuing to chase their dreams, next stop is hoped to be the purchase of the second Pitts Special that will give the tools required to finally put together the formation aerobatic team they've always wanted. In the meantime, they're both putting in valuable time spent travelling between shows to practice the skills required for this next demanding step and are delighted to have been invited to the Al Ain Aerobatics Show 2006!!
Will Curtis had his first flying lesson on 15 October 1991 - and, amazingly, earned his Commercial Pilots Licence with Instrument Rating just six months later (still an unbeaten record in the UK). This is something that takes your average pilot many years however Will, as you will learn, is not your average pilot!
Will, who has been flying since he was 25, is a seasoned air show pilot with over 6000 hours of flight time under his belt. He holds an unlimited aerobatic display authorisation to 50 feet - one of a few issued by the UK CAA. Aerobatic pilots practice frequently and Will is no exception. You have to keep practicing to maintain a tolerance for g - for example most people would black out at around +4g.
Astronauts only pull 5g at the most on a trip into space, and Jenson Button in his Honda BAR Formula 1 car only pulls a max of 4g during a race. During his breathtaking display in the Honda Dream Team Sukhoi 26, Will experiences loading of +12g.
Bill Giles started flying "full size" aeroplanes in California in 1989 when he finally found the time and weather to get his Private Pilots Licence. Prior to this he had taken his model plane flying skills to the military where he flew drones.
Bill returned to the UK in 1995 after almost ten years of travelling. His action packed journey took him to America, where he learned to fly, and North Africa, where he learned to S.C.U.B.A dive to the level of Dive Master. In the Middle East Bill's passion for motor sport lead him to trophy wins in local rally championships as a driver. He then spent three seasons as a co-driver, in the Middle East Rally Championship.
After being goaded by Will Curtis with comments like "Time to come and fly the real things again", Bill went back to school and gained his Commercial Pilots Licence. Bill has been flying the Pitts Special "Full Time" for the last three years.
2005 is the second full season for the Honda Dream Team. Pilots Will Curtis and Bill Giles, flying the unique Sukhoi SU26 and Pitts Special. They have thrilled audiences nation wide with their unrivalled aerobatic displays.
Will and Bill are continuing to chase their dreams, next stop is hoped to be the purchase of the second Pitts Special that will give the tools required to finally put together the formation aerobatic team they've always wanted. In the meantime, they're both putting in valuable time spent travelling between shows to practice the skills required for this next demanding step and are delighted to have been invited to the Al Ain Aerobatics Show 2006!!
Will Curtis had his first flying lesson on 15 October 1991 - and, amazingly, earned his Commercial Pilots Licence with Instrument Rating just six months later (still an unbeaten record in the UK). This is something that takes your average pilot many years however Will, as you will learn, is not your average pilot!
Will, who has been flying since he was 25, is a seasoned air show pilot with over 6000 hours of flight time under his belt. He holds an unlimited aerobatic display authorisation to 50 feet - one of a few issued by the UK CAA. Aerobatic pilots practice frequently and Will is no exception. You have to keep practicing to maintain a tolerance for g - for example most people would black out at around +4g.
Astronauts only pull 5g at the most on a trip into space, and Jenson Button in his Honda BAR Formula 1 car only pulls a max of 4g during a race. During his breathtaking display in the Honda Dream Team Sukhoi 26, Will experiences loading of +12g.
Bill Giles started flying "full size" aeroplanes in California in 1989 when he finally found the time and weather to get his Private Pilots Licence. Prior to this he had taken his model plane flying skills to the military where he flew drones.
Bill returned to the UK in 1995 after almost ten years of travelling. His action packed journey took him to America, where he learned to fly, and North Africa, where he learned to S.C.U.B.A dive to the level of Dive Master. In the Middle East Bill's passion for motor sport lead him to trophy wins in local rally championships as a driver. He then spent three seasons as a co-driver, in the Middle East Rally Championship.
After being goaded by Will Curtis with comments like "Time to come and fly the real things again", Bill went back to school and gained his Commercial Pilots Licence. Bill has been flying the Pitts Special "Full Time" for the last three years.
