Aeromodelling
Model flying is a huge hobby with complex and remarkable models which are far from the "small toys" people often think about when we first mention the hobby
Once you get past the common misconception of store bought toys, you will be amazed at the size, variety and capability of these model aircraft.
Personally I have flown huge models of up to 80% scale of the full size and my regular every day plane to fly measures in at just under 3 meters wingspan. Jets are capable of smashing 500km/h and no matter what the model, in the right hands can put on an amazing display.
Capable of putting on an airshow and performing at times, locations and even performing manoeuvres that full size aircraft can't, the possibilities are limitless.
Biography
I started flying in 2002 when I was 14 following my discovery of the hobby through a static display in my town. Contrary to most young people starting, I didn't have any aeromodellers in the family so had to learn as I went along.
As I progressed, despite having all the moral support from my family, I have always had to decide for myself what models to buy, how to pay for them, and then build, setup, test, adjust and on more than one occasion, repair!
Despite dedicating all my free time to the hobby, my passion for flight has always grown, from when I started and all I wanted was a large scale acrobatic plane, to today when I still love acrobatics of any type, especially when it is with large scale or jets.
Having won a number of Spanish championships in large scale acrobatics, as well as a number of very favorable results around Europe I have ended up doing more show flying, now not only in Spain and Europe but all over the world in other continents.
I am currently known for my own style of flying, usually combining any number of maneuvers together in a small space and time, in the case of acrobatic models being rather aggressive and daring, while with jets simply being very low and very fast!
My overall style could probably simply be classed as “lower!” I also collaborate with most of the biggest brands in the business, with a number of products with my name on them and that without their support I couldn't continue doing what I am doing.
Flying all over the world
From the end of 2015, and with huge support from my sponsors -especially Powerbox-Systems and PilotRc- I have gone from flying at numerous shows all over Europe, to travelling the world to the biggest and best airshows around, at some fascinating and exotic locations such as Abu-Dhabi, Beijing, Shanghai, India, Chile or SouthAfrica. All thanks to exhibitions, local celebrations or even events put on by government for national festivities.
Private airshows in priveliged locations or as guest of honour
In addition to flying at international airshows, I have flown in some rather unusual or particularly special locations and events. One of these would be flying at the Ascari race track in Ronda, the largest privately owned race track in the world, with access limited to just a select few.
Another one of these cases was flying at the international airport opposite the Xtreme Air factory (where the famous Sbach 342 was built) when we had to wait for a Ryanair plane to land before being given the all clear for takeoff. Or perhaps flying at a national park in Tianjin, China to celebrate their independence, flying over water, through fountains and around trees and tents with large scale acrobats and jets.
Due to my style of flying, I have also been invited to fly at events that usually I shouldn't be able to take part in. Having flown acrobatics at the 3D Helicopter World Championships, having a solo slot made for me at Jet Power, or even night flying a 100cc plane at 2am in Germany, something completely prohibited due to noise restrictions!
Competition success at home and away
Despite currently only flying exhibitions, I have also spent many years flying competitions, gaining dozens of podium wins both in Spain and internationally.
2002
First contact with aeromodelling, at a static display in Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain
2004
First ever exhibition, at La Marina, Alicante, Spain
2005
First competition, Tabala Funfly(winner), Murcia, Spain
2006
First competition, Tabala Funfly(winner), Murcia, Spain
2007 – I
First time Spanish Champion IMAC/F3M
2007 – II
First ever IMAC/F3M win, Asturias, Spain
2008
Double Spanish Champion IMAC/F3M
2011
Triple Spanish Champion- SXFC
2013
Four Times Spanish Champion-SXFC
2014
First time shipping model to an airshow – Weston Park – UK
2015
First time outside Europe – Tianjin Airshow – China.With Poerbox – Systems
2016
Airshows In India, Chile, South Africa & China
2017
Airshows in Dubai, USA, Germany, South Africa, Tenerife, Uk and all over Spain
2018
Airshows in China, Brasil, Dubai, Poland, UK, Germany and all over Spain
2019
Airshows in Chile, USA, UK, Germany, Dubai, India and all over Spain
Collaborations within the hobby
Apart from the flying and the shows, I work closely with a number of brands to develop, test and promote a series of new products. Many of these you can find within my sponsors section. There will also be interesting updates to this area very soon.
I also collaborate with the well known Spanish magazine Aerotec. For them I write about events, models and have even had a special edition published exclusively with my articles, called the Escuela de Acrobacia, by Martin Pickering (Acrobatic Flight School, by Martin Pickering)
