Abu Dhabi: It was an experience of a lifetime and has ignited a spark to push myself a little further.
The media had gathered for the Red Bull Race Championship pre-event press briefing at the Mina Zayed Port’s temporary hangar, where the small high-performance airplanes were parked.
Midway through the conference, a tap on my shoulders and a male voice whispered: “Will you be interested in trying out in one of those?” with finger pointing towards a compact aircraft.
The child in me immediately took over and it’s a big ‘YES’; as spontaneous as it could get. He immediately whisks me away and leaves me with a lady to complete the mandatory formalities; the usual prerequisites before attempting any adventure sport – We are not responsible if anything happens to you, etc.
I can vouch any person with the best of willpower will get that ‘What if?’ thought as he puts his initials on those papers. Interestingly, amongst the set of sheets is a long list of questions regarding health - from blood pressure problems and brain haemorrhage to drug abuse and smoking? My blood pressure for sure was normal until then but I can feel, it has definitely risen a couple of notches.
My pilot is a 26-year-old Frenchman Mikael Brageot and the best thing about him was his broad warm smile which he maintains throughout and that put me to ease. I’m handed a suit with ‘Red Bull’ prominently written over it and my aircraft is also identical – painted in Red Bull colours.
Just as we are ready to get going, there is a change in plan. “You will be flying with Juan Velarde and not with Brageot,” says a female PR representative.
To be frank, I was peeved and immediately put my foot down “No, I will fly only with Brageot”.
Velarde is enjoying this and adds more fuel to it with a laugh: “You know I’m a better pilot than him and you are saying ‘No’ to me.” On any given day, I would have been a sport but here I’m nervous. Maintaining a stern face allows me to retain my choice.
Brageot gives me a quick briefing on how to open the parachute in case of any eventuality and checks the microphone. I’m seated in the front of the cockpit and there is very little on my dashboard; a couple of speedometers. The main control panels are behind and I don’t have to bother about anything other than ensuring not to step hard on the break panels fitted under my foot.
The engine refuses to start at one go and it gives a familiar knocking sound; that of an old Fiat car which needs a couple of ignitions to get going. I’m petrified as the propeller starts and stalls a couple of times before finally hitting full throttle. In no time, we are airborne with the beautiful Abu Dhabi skyline to my left and over the sparkling turquoise waters below.
Brageot quickly lines me up for his first act - we go through a pylon gate situated on the edge of a last landmass at the Corniche. The view is spectacular but the sudden dip lifts me off the seat and I focus on the gates. We are in and out it a flash and make the climb after taking a turn. It is followed with a 360 degree roll and a loop, enough to prompt a throw-up. Brageot checks if I’m okay but I can barely speak. He confirms again and all I could manage was a thumbs-up.
Next, he goes for a quick vertical hammerhead followed by a three-quarter roll before pulling 45 degrees up and then takes one and quarter roll to the left. Wow! That’s enough to get the screams out of my guts. I could feel the blood rushing into my head. I’m now sweating like a pig and my head is spinning. Much to my relief, Brageot says: “That’s it, we are heading back.”
It was an out-of-the world experience and gave me a clear understanding of the challenges that lay with these pilots. Once out of the aircraft, Brageot was the first to congratulate me on my accomplishment. I am still reeling under the after-affects and to get my composure back, there was nothing better than grabbing a can of the energy drink the series is named after.
