JOIN US'Sometimes, our moves are spontaneous'
The members of the ‘Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team’ — Radka Machova, Miroslav Krejci, Jiri Veprek and Jiri Saller — are fearless when it comes to performing stunts in the sky, despite the fact that many of them are impromptu. They are all above 50 years of age and firmly believe that the vast experience behind them is their strength.
Absolute discipline, concentration, trust and team spirit are the basic ingredients of the team’s success. Talking about what drives the team, the leader, 64-year-old Radka, says, “It’s all about brains and thinking of the right things at the right time. I feel the more experience you have, the more intelligent you are.”
The team flies four Zlin 50LX aircraft, which are manufactured by the Moravan aircraft factory in Otrokovice, Czech Republic. “The aircraft is designed only for acrobatic stunts. It is unlike a military aircraft or an airline. The engine has 300 horsepower and the aircraft weighs 500 kilograms. It’s a single-seater, just like a sports car,” explains Martin. Contrary to popular perception, Radka and her team don’t fly on an empty stomach. “Of course we eat, but in moderate amounts, without overdoing it. I drink plenty of water to keep myself hydrated,” she says.
The team is known for its breathtaking stunts. “We fly close together. There’s only a 20-centimetre to two-metre space between each aircraft. That’s our speciality,” explains Radka.
The ‘Flying Bulls’ are popular for the ‘Mirror Flight’, which is the most difficult manoeuvre. The leading aircraft flies upside down immediately above a second aircraft, which is flying right side up, mirroring the leading aircraft’s flight figures. “This is a difficult stunt, with two airplanes flying in a mirror position and appearing just like a reflection,” elaborates Radka. In the ‘Drunken Man’ manoeuvre, a third passing aircraft flies around the first two in close barrel rolls. “It’s fun and thrilling when we do the stunts. We’re constantly talking to each other and planning the next move. Sometimes, our moves are spontaneous,” she informs.
When they are not flying, the team pursues an active social life and indulges in things that they love doing, like bicycling — a common passion the four of them share. They work out to keep fit. Radka says, “In my spare time, I eat, sleep and cycle a lot. The idea is to keep fit and not feel sluggish.” Jiri Saller has a bicycle that is designed to resemble a seat and a bed, which he rides religiously in the morning and in the evening. Ideas for a new formation come from the simple things they see around them. “An idea could spark when I am watching television. However, I’ve never got a chance to see ourselves perform and review our performance from a YouTube video,” she signs off.