13 Year Old Wins Aerobatic Prize

Over the weekend 25-27 May 2012, the UK National Glider Aerobatic Contest was held at Buckminster Gliding Club where there were many fine displays by some of the best aerobatic pilots in the UK.

However, the most notable achievement was that Robbie Rizk, aged just 13, won the beginners class with a score of 82.6%. He also gained the highest score in the competition for his positioning, finesse and accurately flown manoeuvres in an ASK-21 glider.

He is the youngest person in the world ever to take part in a national aerobatics contest and had to fly with a safety pilot because he is not yet old enough to fly solo (the legal minimum age being 16)!

Robbie's father, George, is a pilot and instructor with Buckminster Gliding Club and first introduced his son to gliding at the age of 11. One of his instructors commented "Robbie is a natural pilot and shows the flair and skill that is normally seen in much more experienced pilots. He is destined to go far and could well be future 'Red Arrows' potential."

Source: Buckminster Gliding Club