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2. You have competed in every Red Bull Air Race season since its inception in 2003. How has your approach to the race changed over the years?
It is so much more technical today. When I first started racing, it was more seat-of-your-pants flying, making split- second decisions as you progressed through the gates. Today, you have to be a tactician, which means I’ve had to change my style. Our chief tactician Paulo Iscold works with our technical team to optimize the aerodynamics of the airplane. We are always tweaking it to gain performance. He also analyzes each course to develop a simulated visualization that provides me with focal points on the course. I’ll walk through the simulation and visualize every part of it, making small adjustments as the race progresses through the qualifying and follow-on rounds. As always though, my goal is the win! The competition is tough, and I always want to come out super aggressive.
3. You recently took delivery of a Piper M600, which replaced your 2005 Piper Meridian. Why the M600?
The Meridian was a great airplane for us, a very economical single-engine turboprop which replaced a Beechcraft Baron E55 we owned previously. Thanks to its range and altitude capability allowing us to get above the weather, it was a real game-changer. I could typically fly from the East Coast to my home in Arizona with one stop. So, a move into Piper’s new M600 was a natural next step. The aircraft offers us even more range as it holds 260-plus gallons. I also really appreciate the new, robust wing and beefier landing gear. The aircraft has a very solid feeling. Not to mention, the Garmin G3000 avionics suite is simply amazing. The flight control system has a lot of great safety features such as underspeed and overspeed protection.
4. What mission does the M600 fulfill?
Its mission is really quite utilitarian. We use it to support our aerobatic planes by carrying parts, supplies and tools. We also transport the support crew and myself to airshows. We typically send the aerobatic planes ahead and then depart later in the M600. I have to say owning and flying the M600 greatly enhances my quality of life. I travel typically 220 days ayear,soifIcangethomeforanight,Iwanttodoit.TheM600 provides the ability to cover a lot of miles, which means chances are better I can make it home after a show or race.
5. Beyond air racing and aerobatics, what other passions do you pursue? •
I am a devoted husband to my wife Kellie, also a pilot, and father to my 13-year-old daughter Karly. I’m also passionate about skydiving, something I’ve done since I was young. I’m always working to perfect new skills and tricks. T&T
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Dianne White can be contacted at
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July 2018
TWIN & TURBINE • 15