Martin Šonka

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Martin Šonka
Martin Šonka}
Martin Šonka in the cockpit of his Extra 300SR aircraft at Helsinki-Malmi airport
Born March 26, 1978
Nationality Czech Republic Czech Republic
Racing career
First race 2010
Best position 11th (2010)
Aircraft Zivko Edge 540
Website
martin-sonka.cz

Martin Šonka (born March 26, 1978 in Dvůr Králové nad Labem) is a Czech aerobatics (unlimited) and a fighter pilot in the Czech Air Force. He is the beginner from the year 2010 in Red Bull Air Race.[1]

Biography

Beginnings

Martin Šonka began his aviation career in 1997. In this year he flew a glider for the first time and started his studies at University of Defence in Brno as a pilot. In 1999 he gained his Private Pilot Licence. Between 2001 and 2005 he attended Jan Perner Transport Faculty at University of Pardubice (Department of Transport Management, Marketing and Logistics). He finished his studies with a master's degree in 2005.

The Czech Air Force

His military career started in 2000 in Pardubice. Two years after he moved to the air base in Náměšť nad Oslavou and in 2006 to 21st Tactical Air Force Base at Čáslav where he began flying L-159 Alca.

Aerobatics

In 2005 he became a member of the Czech national aerobatic team. He flies Su-31.

Red Bull Air Race

Martin Šonka taking off from Jandakot airport for the final practice before the Perth Red Bull Air Race.

In 2009 Šonka passed all Red Bull Air Race qualifying camps and gained The Red Bull Air Race Super Licence. Then he was nominated for a 2010 season rookie.

Achievements

Red Bull Air Race

Czech Republic Martin Šonka
at the Red Bull Air Race World Championship
Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Points Wins Rank
2010 United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi
13th
Australia Perth
14th
Brazil Rio de Janeiro
13th
Canada Ontario
12th
United States New York City
11th
Germany Lausitz
11th
Hungary Budapest
CAN
Portugal Lisbon
CAN
2 0 14th
Series not held between 2011 and 2013
2014 United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi
7th
Croatia Rovinj
6th
Malaysia Putrajaya
6th
Poland Gdynia
10th
United Kingdom Ascot
9th
United States Fort Worth
7th
United States Las Vegas
8th
Austria Spielberg
3rd
18 0 8th
2015 United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi
10th
Japan Chiba
10th
Croatia Rovinj
2nd
Hungary Budapest
3rd
United Kingdom Ascot
7th
Austria Spielberg
4th
United States Fort Worth
4th
United States Las Vegas
28 0 4th

Legend: * CAN: Cancelled * DNP: Did not take part * DNS: Did not start * DSQ: Disqualified

2009

  • World Championship, Unlimited - Free Style, Powered, 9th place[2]
  • Slovenian Nationals, Unlimited, Powered, 1st place
  • World Air Games, Unlimited, Powered, 5th place

2008

  • World Aerobatic Cup, Unlimited, Powered, 3rd place [3]
  • European Championship, Unlimited, Powered, 17th place
  • National Championship, Unlimited, Powered, 1st place

2007

  • World Championship, Unlimited, Powered, 29th place.[4]
  • National Championship, Unlimited, Powered, 2nd place

2006

  • European Championship, Unlimited, Powered, 14th place
  • National Championship, Unlimited, Powered, 3rd place

2005

  • European Championship, Advanced, Powered, 14th place
  • National Championship, Advanced, Powered, 4th place

2004

  • National Championship, Sportsman, Powered, 1st place
  • National Championship, Intermediate, Gliders, 1st place

2003

  • National Championship, Sportsman, Gliders, 1st place

2002

  • National Championship, Sportsman, Gliders, 3rd place

References

External links