First Arab Air Race Rookie

Shehab Alireza is proof that video games can be instructive.

At 37, he is the first Saudi and Arab pilot to qualify as a rookie in the 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series.

And he credits a bit of his success to childhood years playing a computerised flight simulator.

“When I was 12,my father bought me this game and I started playing it every day, even years after I started flying,'' saysAlireza, who is a professional pilot, flying a Boeing 737 for Saudi-Aramco in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

“One of the tests I had to do when I began piloting was the
Luftwaffe test, developed by the German Air Force and KLM. But because of all my background in flight simulators and video games, I just obliterated it.''

His involvement in the air race, however, began through another of his passions – motorbikes.

Having ridden at the professional level, Red Bull initially approached him to participate with the local Saudi team. While things didn't work out at the time, it brought the flying opportunity.

“I think what the air race is now, is how Formula 1 was when it started out in 1950. We're in the very beginning of F1 in aviation,'' says Alireza.

This year's air race will make its 12-city international debut in Abu Dhabi.

Though he and fellow rookies Yoshihide Muroya, of Japan, and German Matthias Dolderer are not allowed to fly the air race course, they will attend the event with the opportunity to fly above the crowds and further their training with the hopes of qualifying for next year's World Series.

Jo Otayek, Sports and Events manager for Red Bull, says it's a long road to qualifying as an air race pilot.

“First, they must compete in the World Aerobatic Championships in the Unlimited category and a pilot
will remain a rookie for two to three years,'' he said. “Then, depending on his performance, he can participate
in the Air Race.''

For his part, Alireza has already started his training programme with a recent performance in Jeddah, as well as intensive preparation in Germany, Austria and Spain.

“The overlying theme amongst all the pilots is a love of flight. But when we're pushing it, it also helps us remember we're still alive,'' said Alireza.

Red Bull air race