Martin Šonka (born 26 March 1978 in
Dvůr Králové nad Labem) is a
Czech
Czech may refer to:
* Anything from or related to the Czech Republic, a country in Europe
** Czech language
** Czechs, the people of the area
** Czech culture
** Czech cuisine
* One of three mythical brothers, Lech, Czech, and Rus
*Czech (surnam ...
aerobatics (unlimited) and a former fighter pilot in the
Czech Air Force
The Czech Air Force () is the air force branch of the Army of the Czech Republic, Army of Czechia. Along with the Czech Land Forces, Land Forces, the Air Force is the major Czech military force. With traditions of military aviation dating back to ...
. He has raced in
Red Bull Air Race World Championship
The World Championship Air Race is a series of air races sanctioned by the World Air Sports Federation (FAI). Originally established in 2003 as the Red Bull Air Race, and created by Red Bull GmbH, the event involves competitors navigating a ...
since 2010, becoming the World Champion in the
2018 Red Bull Air Race World Championship season.
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
A private pilot licence (PPL) or private pilot certificate is a type of pilot licence that allows the holder to act as pilot in command of an aircraft privately (not for remuneration). The basic licence requirements are determined by the Inter ...
. Between 2001 and 2005 he attended Jan Perner Transport Faculty at
University of Pardubice
University of Pardubice ( or UPA) is a university in Pardubice, the Czech Republic. In 2021 it had nearly 8,000 students. It is the only university in Pardubice Region.
History
In the aftermath of the World War II, chemical factories in the cit ...
(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
Pardubice (; ) is a city in the Czech Republic. It has about 92,000 inhabitants. It is the capital city of the Pardubice Region and lies on the Elbe River. The historic centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Repub ...
. Two years after he moved to the air base in
Náměšť nad Oslavou
Náměšť nad Oslavou () is a town in Třebíč District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 4,800 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monument z ...
and in 2006 to 21st Tactical Air Force Base at
Čáslav
Čáslav (; ) is a town in Kutná Hora District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 11,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument zone.
Administrative division ...
where he began flying
L-159 Alca. In 2012 he has finished the type rating for the
Saab JAS 39 Gripen
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen ( ; English: ''Griffin'') is a light single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab AB. The Gripen has a delta wing and canard configuration with rela ...
. In 2014 he was forced to leave the army due to his busy racing schedule.
Aerobatics
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
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
Legend: * CAN: Cancelled * DNP: Did not take part * DNS: Did not start * DSQ: Disqualified
2009
*World Championship, Unlimited - Free Style, Powered, 9th place
*Slovenian Nationals, Unlimited, Powered, 1st place
*World Air Games, Unlimited, Powered, 5th place
2008
*World Aerobatic Cup, Unlimited, Powered, 3rd place
*European Championship, Unlimited, Powered, 17th place
*National Championship, Unlimited, Powered, 1st place
2007
*World Championship, Unlimited, Powered, 29th place.
24th FAI World Aerobatic Championships 24/06/2007 - 04/07/2007 Overall Results
''Fédération Aéronautique Internationale''. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
*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
Gallery
Red Bull Air Race - Martin Sonka.jpg, Šonka taking off from Jandakot airport for the final practice before the Perth Red Bull Air Race
2017RedBullAirRaceChibaN806PB MartinSonka.jpg, 2017 Red Bull Air Race of Chiba - N806PB
Martin Šonka HA-BES Malmi 4.JPG, Šonka in the cockpit of his Extra 300SR aircraft at Helsinki-Malmi airport
Helsinki-Malmi Airport (, ) was an airfield that served Helsinki, the capital of Finland, located in the district of Malmi, north-north-east of the city centre. It was opened in 1936. Until the opening of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in 1952, it was ...
References
External links
Official website
Red Bull Air Race Pilot Profile – Martin Šonka
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sonka, Martin
Aerobatic pilots
Czech aviators
Czech air racers
Red Bull Air Race World Championship pilots
Living people
1978 births
People from Dvůr Králové nad Labem
Sportspeople from the Hradec Králové Region