Martin Šonka is the 2018 Red Bull Air Race World Champion. Martin, from Sezimovo Ústí, claimed his first overall crown, and the first for the Czech Republic, in a gripping title battle in 2018. If Šonka can deliver another outstanding campaign this season, he could become only the second pilot in history to clinch the sport’s highest honor two years in a row.

Šonka began flying gliders and parachute jumping at age 17. As a pilot in the Czech Air Force, he flew a supersonic jet fighter, the JAS-39 Gripen, in the 211th Tactical Squadron and was a member of the prestigious Czech Air Force display team flying the L-159 ALCA. He also holds a master’s degree from the Military Academy and the University of Pardubice.

Šonka’s aerobatics career started with gliders and then powered aircraft. Since joining the Czech aerobatic team in 2005, his achievements include European overall Vice Champion in the Unlimited category, two-time World Freestyle Vice Champion, three consecutive European Freestyle Championships, and eight Unlimited and seven Freestyle Championship wins at Czech Nationals.

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