You don’t need to know me very well to realise that I’m a long way from being an adrenalin junkie.
Feeling the G-force, or the gravitational pull of the Earth, in high-speed situations is something I would happily read about in a physics book. As for experiencing it in anything faster than a lift or a car, well, let us just say I am the type who enjoys quiet walks in the park instead. Besides an aversion to high speeds, I do have a phobia of heights and a dislike of flying.
To sum it up – I’m far from the ideal candidate for an aerobatics experience.
Yet, as many self-help books will tell you, getting out of your comfort zone is a necessity of life. From time to time, I do seek out experiences that make me uncomfortable. This is how I found myself on Monday morning on the way to Ras Al Khaimah to meet the organisers of the Red Bull Air Race World Tour, which kicks off in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
I was to be given a small preview of some of the manoeuvres that the 12 elite pilots would be performing on Friday and Saturday at the Corniche Breakwater.
Embracing your fear is fine in principle, but doing it in practice is another matter entirely. So, as I clumsily tried to get into the jumpsuit I could not help but think how my last attempt to do something out of character set the stage for a fight.
Thankfully, there was not enough time for reflection and I was briefed, provided with a parachute to wear and propelled on to the fastest 10 minutes of my life.
The moment I saw Sergio Pla, the race’s director of aviation and the pilot of the two-seater plane, I knew he would make an effort to show me why some people enjoy doing aerobatics rather than why most people fear the sport.
I was right. He did loops, he did rolls with the horizon turning 360 degrees, and he flew upside down. Mostly my screams were an expression of excitement rather than my fear. He also did a manoeuvre known as a half Cuban eight, which involves three quarters of a loop and then flying upside down at 45 degrees before coming back to level flight.
This move is essential for Red Bull pilots if they are to fly between 25-metre high pylons at speeds of up to 370kph during the race.
And yes, we did pull some Gs – six of them no less – as Sergio performed a series of sharp turns. The G forces effectively meant that I was six times heavier than my actual weight. While racing, pilots experience G forces up to 10, which puts significant stress on the cardiovascular system and they need to be in top condition to have high G tolerance. For a novice like me, it is quite tiring and I felt the extra work my heart was doing to keep my head supplied with enough blood and oxygen to stop me passing out.
Overall, it was an experience I am sure will bring a smile to my face every time I think about it for many years to come.
Did it cure my fear of flying? I am not sure what my reaction will be next time I feel turbulence on a passenger plane, but I do know for sure that I will be watching this weekend’s race in Abu Dhabi with a lot more respect and understanding for the pilots.
vtodorova@thenational.ae
