Some Flyers KNOW How To Travel...
One of
ANN's favorite people was kind enough to share an
interesting story with us. It seems that Budapest was the
scene of quite an event recently when Hungarian aerobatic champion
and flying legend Zoltan Veres flew his custom-made
American Culp's Special under the
historic Chain Bridge as part of Hungary's national 20th of August
celebration. (Hungary's state and constitution were established by
King Stephanus on the 20th of August, 1000, so this celebration is
much like the 4th of July in the States).
The Chain Bridge, built in 1836, is the most historic of the
bridges spanning the Danube in this city of 3.5 million. It is part
of Hungarian tradition each 20th of August to have a huge air
and water parade in front of the Parliament building -- which is
just beside the bridge. Aerobatic champ Veres was asked to fly his
Special as part of the ceremony, and was thrilled to be given the
opportunity to do something very few have been able to do.
Not An Every-Day Event
The bridge "underflight" was a complicated venture. A natural
gas line runs under the busy Chain Bridge, which sits in the center
of the city, next to government buildings. Veres had to obtain a
long list of approvals, including the OKs of the local police and
fire departments, Budapest's mayor, and the Hungarian version of
the FAA. A fire brigade and rescue ships were on standby.
On event day, tens of thousands of spectators lined the banks of
the Danube early, and were rewarded with an up-close-and-personal
view of a flashy red and white biplane executing two perfect
under-bridge flybys. Photographs of the event were plastered across
the front pages of every major newspaper in Hungary and on
every television newscast across the country.
How Do You Practice For Such A Thing?
"I had no chance to practice, because the bridge is in the
center of the city and very busy," says Veres. "So we could say
that my first underflight was my practice, and the second one, the
show!"
40-year-old Veres and his Culp's Special have certainly been
staying busy. In addition to the national celebration, Veres was a
headliner at the Hungarian Kecskemet military air show on August
16-17, an event held every two years. This year's military show
attracted 400,000 spectators.
Now Veres will begin preparing for the "Jubilee" flight to honor
Hungarian aviators Antal Banhidi and Tibor Bisits. 70 years ago,
the two flew a Gerle 13 biplane around the Mediterranean Sea
to prove the proficiency of Hungarian pilots and to encourage the
Hungarian government to support aviation. Beginning October 15,
weather permitting, Veres and his Culp's Special will follow in the
footsteps of Banhidi and Bisits. Hungarian television and other
European media will be following the historic trek.
The trip begins in Hungary, then goes to:
Klagenfurt (Austria), Udine, Venice, Verona, Milan (Italy), Cannes
and Marsailles (France), Barcelona and Alicante (Spain), Oran,
Algiers (Algeria), Tunis (Tunisia),) Tripoli, Ben Ghazi (Libya)
Amseath, Cairo (Egypt), Gaza (Palestine), Alepo (Syria),
Adena, Konia, Istanbul (Turkey), Saloniki, Athens, Jannina
(Greece), Brindisi, Naples, Rome, Ravenna, Venice (Italy),
Klagenfurt (Austria); and then finally, Szeekesfeheevaar (say
that three times fast, I dare you) and Budapest in Hungary, for a
total distance of 7616 miles.
Veres' Special is sponsored by MOL, the Hungarian Oil and Gas
Company, and was built by Shreveport, La., designer/builder Steve Culp. The Special flies behind
a workhorse 360-hp M-14P Russian radial engine and is rated to +9
and -6 Gs. Veres saw his first Special on a trip to the United
States several years ago, and after flying one, set his sights on
owning one.
Oh Yeah, He Does Have A "Real" Job...
When not flying under bridges or recreating historic treks,
Veres pilots a 737 for MALEV Hungarian Airlines, and is an ATP,
aircraft engineer, aviation legal expert, and holds a test pilot
rating. He has won the Czechoslovak Masters title, was a silver
medalist in the British Nationals, and a bronze medal in the World
Championships. He was invited to participate in the famous
Breitling World Cup series, and in 2001, was the AEC European
Aerobatic Champion.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.15.24)
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