Martin Šonka

(Redirected from Martin Sonka)

Martin Šonka (born 26 March 1978 in Dvůr Králové nad Labem) is a Czech aerobatics (unlimited) and a former fighter pilot in the Czech Air Force. He has raced in Red Bull Air Race World Championship since 2010,[1] becoming the World Champion in the 2018 Red Bull Air Race World Championship season.

Martin Šonka
Martin Šonka
Born (1978-03-26) 26 March 1978 (age 46)
Nationality Czech
EducationUniversity of Defence
Aviation career
Air forceCzech Air Force
Racing career
First race2010
Best position1st (2018)
AircraftZivko Edge 540 V3
Websitemartin-sonka.cz

Biography

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Beginnings

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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

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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. In 2012 he has finished the type rating for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. In 2014 he was forced to leave the army due to his busy racing schedule.

Aerobatics

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In 2005 he became a member of the Czech national aerobatic team. He used to fly Su-31, however in the past few years he is training and competing with Extra 300SR.

Red Bull Air Race

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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

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Red Bull Air Race

  Martin Šonka
at the Red Bull Air Race World Championship
Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Points Wins Rank
2010  
13th
 
14th
 
13th
 
12th
 
11th
 
11th
 
CAN
 
CAN
2 0 14th
Series not held between 2011 and 2013
2014  
7th
 
6th
 
6th
 
10th
 
9th
 
7th
 
8th
 
3rd
18 0 8th
2015  
10th
 
10th
 
2nd
 
3rd
 
7th
 
4th
 
4th
 
8th
29 0 4th
2016  
DSQ
 
9th
 
2nd
 
13th
 
5th
 
4th
 
7th
 
CAN
31 0 7th
2017  
1st
 
5th
 
3rd
 
4th
 
9th
 
1st
 
3rd
 
4th
70 2 2nd
2018  
4th
 
8th
 
3rd
 
1st
 
1st
 
1st
 
10th
 
1st
80 4 1st
2019  
2nd
 
3rd +2
 
4th +3
 
13th +2
Season shortened 68 0 3rd

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
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References

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  1. ^ "Two new pilots for 2010 Red Bull Air Race season". Archived from the original on 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  2. ^ Daily Results - Saturday August 29, 2009 Archived January 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine" World Aerobatic Championship. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
  3. ^ "World Aerobatics Cup 2008 | Results". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  4. ^ 24th FAI World Aerobatic Championships 24/06/2007 - 04/07/2007 Overall Results[permanent dead link]. Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
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