Daredevil pilot takes to skies in thrilling air races
A FEARLESS pilot has taken to the skies to compete in death-defying high-speed races.
Des Hart, 40, from Perthshire, has joined 20 other daredevil pilots from around the world in the newly launched Formula 1 Air Racing competition which sees planes reach speeds of up to 250mph.
The sport sees eight highly tuned aircraft take off together and race around a course wing-tip to wing-tip only a few feet from the ground.
Des has already grabbed two podium finishes this season in the silver, or rookie class – one in Spain where he placed second and the other in Tunisia where he came third – and hopes to step up to race against the top pilots in next season’s gold class after purchasing an even faster aircraft.
But Des claims he doesn’t get a chance to think about the potential dangers involved. He said: “When you are racing you really don’t consider how dangerous it is, all you are doing is trying to race – overtake and defend your position and monitor your aircraft’s engine temperatures.
“The only time you really get a chance to consider it is on the runway, sitting at fullthrottle waiting for the green flag to be waved to start the race.”
Technical troubles meant Des’ engine cut out several times during qualifying in Spain, leaving his plane without power.
He said: “During qualifying I had some issues. I was on the take-off run and my engine just cut out – luckily it was a long runway.”