Lincolnshire pilot wins first ever Gold for Britain in Unlimited Aerobatics

Lincolnshire-based air display and competition pilot Gerald Cooper, managing director of Wickenby Aerodrome, has become the first ever Brit to receive a gold medal in Unlimited aerobatics in the history of aerobatic sport flying.  Gerald beat 21 of the best European aerobatic pilots at the European Freestyle Aerobatic Championship in Slovakia last weekend.

Competing in a new high performance monoplane called the XtremeAir XA41, for which Gerald is the UK sales agent from his Wickenby Aerodrome base; Gerald performed a combination of high-speed, animated gyroscopic figures that seemingly defy the laws of physics and aerodynamics, as air show visitors at Wickenby Wings and Wheels observed in June.

The XtremeAir XA41 is a new carbon fibre aircraft that is fast becoming the choice of aircraft for air display and competition pilots throughout the UK.  It is the superb power to weight ratio of the XA41, which is comparable to a Formula One race car and Gerald’s imaginative freestyle technique that creates such a dynamic display, demonstrating why Gerald is currently ranked as seventh in the world for competition aerobatics and has been the British Aerobatic Champion at Unlimited level for the past three years. 

Reflecting on his win Gerald commented: "For me, this award is recognition of all the hard work on engineering, management and development by the fantastic team we have here at One Sky Aviation at Wickenby Aerodrome without whom competing – and winning - would not be possible."

Gerald has displayed at a number of air shows and private events across the UK and Europe this summer.  Gerald also participates in TV documentaries worldwide and is a regular on the Sky Sports channel.  In his spare time Gerald provides training and coaching at Wickenby Aerodrome for the British Advanced Aerobatic Team as well as many individual pilots looking to progress in aerobatics.

Gerald Cooper is also a Partner of One Sky Aviation, an engineering business providing aircraft maintenance as well as the manufacture of Thruster microlights. Through One Sky Aviation Gerald Cooper organises the annual Wickenby Wings and Wheels Airshow raising money for the Lincolnshire Air Ambulance and RAF Association.

For more details visit www.wickenbyairfield.com or contact Gerald Cooper at One Sky Aviation on Tel: 01673 885083.

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Toby Sowery British Kart Grand Prix Winner sets sights on F1

Double British Karting Champion Toby Sowery, aged 16, from Melbourn, Hertfordshire has been awarded the highly-coveted GP Plate title in the Kartmasters British Kart Grand Prix confirming that he is one of British motorsport’s most promising young racing drivers with his sights set firmly on Formula One.  Tune into Sky Sports 4 at 4pm today to see coverage of Toby’s winning performance at the Paul Fletcher International circuit near Grantham, Lincolnshire. 

 

In 2011, Toby made history by becoming the first driver to ever win two national championships in separate classes, Easykart and TKM.  Toby then decided to test his mettle in Junior Rotax, one of Britain’s most popular and hardest fought categories. The prestige of winning the GP number plate awarded to the champion ensures that the Kartmasters title is the one every young driver wants on their racing CV.  

His latest success also means that Sowery has won three major junior titles in different categories. This places Toby well for his ambitions for the future. Following in the footsteps of British F1 drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, Toby aims to be a Formula One driver by the time he is 21. In the immediate future Toby plans to put his eight years’ karting race experience to good use by securing a drive in single-seater racing next season. 

On 25th September Toby will begin the highly-regarded MSA Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence NVQ at Loughborough University, dividing his time between home study and practical experience at Silverstone Race Circuit.  In between study, Toby hopes to gain work experience at various race circuits, learning about motorsport from all angles as well as maintaining his strict fitness regime necessary for racing.

Meanwhile, Toby’s single-mum Sharon Brennan is busy liaising with sponsors and business partners on an exciting new project that will go a long way into progressing Toby’s all-round experience in motorsport.

Commenting on the British Kart Grand Prix win, Toby said: “I personally couldn't have wished for a better weekend, when everything including the weather came together. We had consistent pace all weekend and going into the final day of races I knew in my mind that I had a fighting chance to win.  Winning the GP is a real honour. Every driver wants to achieve the accolade of winning it.” 

www.tobysowery.co.uk

 

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For media information on Toby Sowery please contact: pr@tobysowery.co.uk