Good parenting the secret to being a successful pilot

Dubai: As the colourful displays unfold in the skies, one can be forgiven for wondering how the pilots deliver such flawless performances.

All ten planes execute manoeuvres so smoothly, and yet at a speed that leaves most spectators gasping and yet in awe.

Frecce Tricolori, the national aerobatic team of Italy, is the only aerobatic team in the world comprising ten jets.

Massimo Tammaro, commander of Frecce Tricolori, told Gulf News how his team performed wonders in the sky. He also said that whenever national duty calls, the aerobatic team would be ready to fly with expertise, sacrifice and commitment.

Watching their fabulous show with Italian-manufactured MB339 jets at the Dubai Air Show is for one to deduce what these well trained men can do.

The pilots, wearing combat boots and blue astronaut overalls, are determined to show that they mean business when they put their lives on the line for the benefit of a cheering public.

Tammaro, 41, joined Italy's Air Force Academy immediately after high school. It took him four years to finish the programme and submit an application for pilot training in the United States. In 1989, he joined the Italian Air force and flew as a fighter pilot for two years.

He has been with Frecce Tricolori for 11 years, since joining the team in 1998. He spend five years as a wing man and was then promoted to the position of leader for three years. Three years ago, he was appointed commander of the team.

Tammaro's dream from childhood has always been flying a plane.

"I love what I am doing. I feel stronger [and] more powerful every time I fly. I feel I am a different man. Our job is risky but interesting and challenging," he said.

Good parenting

Tammaro believes that he is a lucky man and the secret to being a successful fighter pilot in the aerobatic team is a combination of a God-given gift and his mother's good parenting.

The unmarried Tammaro said that he could still find time to have a family.

"Of course, I wish to get married and have children but my job is quite difficult," he said.

He revealed that his girlfriend Tania was always requesting that they get married and that he start spending more time at home.

"Tania is very is very patient woman and always encourages me and is very proud of me. I am dedicated to work and always on travel, conference and meeting schedule. We have to perform 40 aerobatic shows every six months," Tammaro added.

Tammaro, who weighs 63kg, said that he lives a modern life. Although he works more than ten hours each day, he manages to exercise a lot and also play soccer.

"[Tania] accompanies me [to] every aerobatic show everywhere and she [attended] the first two days of the Dubai Air Show before [flying] back to Italy," he said.

Tammaro said he has never faced any risk in the 11 years he has spent with Frecce Tricolori. He, however, revealed that a jet he flew as a fighter pilot in Bosnia once developed a technical fault.

Tammaro said that anyone who wants join the Frecce Tricolori team must be fighting-fit.

To be part of the team, one should be a military fighter pilot and should have a minimum of 1,000 flying hours.

Interested parties should also have a good command of English and a clean personal record, in addition to the required academic qualifications.

Moreover, a prospective pilot should be in good shape and have the required physical qualification.