Aero GP Racing Simulates Air Combat

February 3, 2009 — This makes NASCAR racing look like a casual Sunday drive to Grandma’s house. Air Racing – Aero GP is a motor sports series involving high-performance airplanes racing around a tight circuit near ground level. The planes drop bombs on targets and compete in real air-to-air combat heats using high-tech virtual weapons. According to Aero GP’s website, it’s “the ultimate battle for air supremacy fought by highly trained military and civilian pilots from around the globe.” The brainchild of Jeff Zaltman in 2000, Aero GP was launched in 2005 with its first official competition in Slovenia. Since then the series has grown and visited different countries around Europe. However, Aero GP is traveling beyond the continent in 2009. The United Arab Emirates already hosted the first grand prix of the 2009 Aero GP air racing series, occurring during the Al Ain Aerobatic Show January 28-31. It marked the first time that the Aero GP has been held in the region and is believed to be the first time in history that a pylon race has been held in the Middle East. Discussions are continuing with other venues around the world to host Aero GP. Dates and locations for Aero GP Europe and Aero GP Final Grand Prix have not been announced. The Aero GP pilots come from a variety of countries and backgrounds. Some are fighter pilots, others aerobatics champions or airline pilots. Hungarian veteran and two-time Aero GP Champion, Zoltan Veres, is back for the competition; representing the United States is Richard “Smokey” Young, who started his career in aviation flying tactical strike fights for the U.S. Air Force. Young is now an air combat and flight instructor and an air racer. Other Aero GP pilots include Andy Bickmore, Mark Jefferies and Gerald Cooper. Click here to see Aero GP videos.

Aero GP has three components: an air race, air-to-air combat and barnstorming. Photo credit: Aero GP The first Aero GP race took place in 2005 and has grown more popular with each passing year. Photo credit: Aero GP Aero GP has been called the Formula 1 of air racing. Photo credit: Aero GP

• 2009 - 11/06 - Air France Takes Delivery of First A380
• 2009 - 10/30 - Weather Hampers 9th Crane Migration
• 2009 - 10/29 - NASA - Theres an App For That
• 2009 - 10/29 - Maple Tree Copters Inspire Students
• 2009 - 10/27 - Record-setting Young Eagle