Right click on the link below to download Mike’s interview (50 Minutes).

Hardknocks-072410.mp3

GETTING STARTED
That’s an easy one. To start on your aerobatic flying career, simply go to www.iac.org and find an aerobatic flight school near you. I’m sure that once you do your first roll and see the world from a different perspective, you’ll be hooked. However, the journey is just beginning, and it’s not going to be an easy road to the top. The real answer to the question “how do I get started”, is that you need to have a dream and an undying passion for the sport in which you have started.

I personally started my flying career in a Decathlon trainer, but the more advanced two-seat Pitts and EXTRA are good too. They are certified and offer a good platform in which to learn.

GETTING TO THE TOP
Well, I think there is no such place as “the top”. It’s all about your perspective. For me, being invited to fly at EAA AirVenuture Oshkosh back in 1998 was a huge thrill. Then, my inclusion in the Red Bull Air Race was another real thrill for me. I’m excited and honored to be living a life in the air and I don’t take it for granted for one second.

To get to the top ranks of World Aerobatic Competition or air show flying, you’re looking at approximately ten years of practice and training. Maybe more. There is simply no easy way to get to the top except for old fashioned blood, sweat, and tears. It costs a lot of money and will take a lot of time. In fact, to get to “the top”, you’ll have to give up EVERYTHING for the next decade. That’s it, you can’t do anything else. Eat it, breathe it, sleep it, and live it. If you don’t give up everything to chase your dream, you won’t realize that dream. However, the kid in the next state or country who is just a little bit more hungry than you to “get there”, will make it. So don’t give up.

Money helps, but it’s not vital. Many people have made it in the sport by working like crazy at night while flying acro during the day. It’s a longer road, but one worth traveling. That reminds me of the winter of 1995 when I ran out of money and my parents couldn’t afford to help me make the bank payments on my EXTRA 300S. There was only one thing left to do…. put the payments on my credit card. I was not going to let a lack of money keep me from my dreams. So I built up about 20K worth of credit card debt over the next six months. That September I won the US Nationals and started making money flying air shows. After about a year, I had paid off my debt. Those are the kinds of tests that one will be faced with along the way. As the saying goes, “if it were easy, everyone would do it”.

RED BULL AIR RACING
To be in the RBAR, you have to become an aerobatic champion first. It’s that simple. To handle an aircraft like it’s an extension of your mind, flying MUST be second nature. You can only get that instinct through many hours of low level acro flying. Being invited to be in the RBAR is the ultimate honor and one not to be taken lightly. It’s an unforgiving game. BUT, it’s worth the wait!!!!

HOW DO I GET A SPONSOR
Most people say to me, “I need a sponsor and then become an air show pilot”. From my experience, the sponsors come last. First, you need to show courage and determination by becoming a winning aviator. Second, your flying and your attitude must be mature enough to handle the privilege and responsibility that comes with flying the colors of a company.

I took my first aerobatic lesson in 1985 and “signed on” with my first title sponsor in 2004. To me, the 19 year wait was worth it!

WHAT NOW
Well, that’s my two cents on getting started towards a life of sport flying. Now, all that’s left is to make a decision on whether it’s right for you. If you feel this is “your destiny”, you must “go for it” with all of your drive, determination, and passion. Again, it’s not an easy road. But, if you persevere, you’ll be rewarded with a life of adventure!!

ASB.TV has created an exclusive entertainment package that includes THREE incredible HD videos, including a video which shares special insights from Horner and his passion for flying; TWO original music scores and ONE exciting Horsemen poster.

NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE SPECIAL HORSEMEN-JAMES HORNER HD DIGITAL PACKAGE EXCLUSIVELY ON ASB.TV!!

This package is for EVERYONE who looks to the sky, dreams to soar without limitations… to fly… and Escape Life’s Gravity.

Lycoming has produced beautiful posters with Michael and his aircraft that you can have him sign. They will also have Goulian t-shirts for sale! Be sure to pick one up!

Other than his schedule above, Michael will be mentoring two new AirVenture air show performers: Nicolas Ivanoff (fellow Red Bull Air Race pilot) and Jason Newberg (in the Viper Pitts). Be sure to watch them perform at the air show 3:00pm – 5:00pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Michael will be performing on Monday (before the air show) and on Thursday.

Never been to AirVenture before? Be sure to read Ron Sisco’s article about his personal experiences and recommendations. (Ron is an active pilot at Michael’s family-owned flight school, Executive Flyers Aviation, in Bedford, MA.)

For the official press release from Red Bull Air Race GmbH regarding the cancellation please read below or visit www.redbullairrace.com.

STATEMENT

13 July 2010

Red Bull Air Race World Champion to be crowned in Germany following cancellation of this year’s Budapest race

The Red Bull Air Race in Budapest has been cancelled this year due to lengthy delays in the permissions process the organization announced with regret today. Interrupting a six-year tradition of racing in the Hungarian capital, the Red Bull Air Race World Champion will now be crowned after the final race of the 2010 season at EuroSpeedway in Lausitz, Germany on 7 th & 8 th August.

Budapest has been an annual fixture on the Red Bull Air Race World Championship calendar since 2004 with enormous crowds of more than 600,000 spectators watching the racing from the banks of the Danube River. This year’s race, which would have been the seventh annual race in Budapest, was set for 19 th & 20 th August.

Red Bull Air Race GmbH CEO Bernd Loidl expressed his disappointment over the Budapest cancellation, which comes just a week after a race cancellation in Portugal due to unexpected delays in reaching a revised host city agreement. But he said he hoped Budapest would be back on the calendar in 2011. Loidl also said the 2011 calendar – which will include a return to New York after the historic first race there in June; will be announced after the final round in Germany next month.

“Having safely and successfully executed the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in Budapest for the past six years, it was a tough decision to make,” Loidl said. “Following so close to the cancellation of the Portugal race last week, we are obviously disappointed and every effort will be made to see a return to Budapest in 2011. Securing the future of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship is paramount and making tough decisions is part of that process. We look forward to announcing the 2011 calendar after the final round in Germany including a much anticipated return to New York in the United States.”

The battle for the 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship will remain intense at Lausitzring in Germany, where defending champion Paul Bonhomme is holding a five-point lead over 2008 champion Hannes Arch of Austria. Arch has won three of the last five races and is confident he can overtake Bonhomme down the home stretch of the 2010 season to take his second title. The race in Germany will be the 50 th Red Bull Air Race since the sport was created in 2003. It has been a FAI-recognised world championship since 2005.

Ticket Refunds:
For tickets purchased via www.redbullairrace.com – refunds will be made automatically to the purchaser’s credit card, to the face value of the event ticket.

Tickets purchased through ticketing, travel or hospitality agencies are advised to contact their sales agents directly for a refund.

For further information contact:
media@redbullairrace.com

For more information on the cancellation please read the official statement from Red Bull Air Race Gmbh below or visit www.redbullairrace.com.

STATEMENT
7 July 2010

Final round of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2010 in Portugal Cancelled

The Red Bull Air Race GmbH today announced that the final round of the 2010 World Championship, which was to be held in Portugal on 4th and 5th September, will be cancelled due to the unexpected delays in reaching a revised host city agreement.  The negotiation process with the associated cities of Lisbon, Porto and Gaia was positive, however time ran out to execute a race of this size, complexity and of the quality expected of the strong fan base in Portugal.

The 2010 race was originally announced on 21st December 2009 to take place in Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon.  Earlier this year the City of Lisbon, in an effort to secure a longer term agreement for Portugal, approached the Cities of Porto and Gaia to develop a joint proposal which would have seen the race alternate between the north and south of Portugal over the next four years.

“The Red Bull Air Race is committed to keeping Portugal on the race calendar, however, due to the delays in finalising the agreement, we were faced with making a tough decision to cancel the race for 2010 due to the time available to plan and execute a quality event.” said Mr Bernd Loidl, CEO Red Bull Air Race GmbH.

“Making such a decision is not easy and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our valued sponsors, broadcast partners and fans around the world for their support and understanding.  I would also like to thank the Cities of Lisbon, Porto and Gaia, along with Tourism of Portugal and Tourism of Lisbon, as every effort was made from all sides to reach a revised agreement; however, time simply ran out.  We hope to continue discussions to see the race return to Portugal again in the near future,” Loidl said.

Just five years since it was officially launched, the Red Bull Air Race World Championship has evolved to become the most exhilarating and fastest growing motor sport on the planet and has touched down in spectacular locations around the world from the beaches of Rio de Janeiro to the West Coast of Australia, and most recently its debut in New York on the Hudson River.

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship is a visual spectacle unlike any other, delivering raw sporting drama set amidst vibrant landscapes.  The sport has quickly built a staggering following around the world with millions captivated by the exciting and dynamic racing format.

For further information
Contact: media@redbullairrace.com