Raimund Riedmann

Flight Operations Manager & Chief Pilot Fixed Wing

Raimund Riedmann flies the DC-6, the Corsair and the B-25 ? planes that are almost twice his age. With that in mind, childhood memories can?t have triggered his passion for these historic beauties. So what?s his story? Raimund sheds some light by answering our 10 questions.

1. Do you remember your first flight as a pilot?

» RR: Sure, every detail. It was an oldtimer even back then, a 1950s Rhönlerche, the training glider in Innsbruck, back in the summer of 1986.

2. How many flying hours have you completed so far?

» RR: 9,500.

3. Airbus 380 or B-25?

» RR: B-25! The Mitchell is flying in its purest form, without electronic aides and computers.

4. Which plane would you like to fly if you could have any choice, and why?

» RR: A Starfighter. It combines everything a plane should have. Beautiful shape, sex appeal, speed, and it must have had great steering response. Apparently, it was a bit of a challenge and anything but easy to fly.

5. Are there any technical or design details of the aircraft that fascinate you in particular?

» RR: What gets me is how advanced those planes were in terms of aerodynamics. Nothing has changed much since, especially passenger planes, irrespective of how modern they are.

6. With which Flying Bull plane would you perform a risky landing rather than opt for the parachute?

» RR: With all of them. They are irreplaceable!

7. What are the flight qualities that inspire you the most in an aircraft? And is there anything you?d criticise?

» RR: The DC-6 is in a class of her own, she?s very flexible, whether she?s used as cargo or passenger plane, short or long haul. The Corsair gives you a real sense of three dimensions in space. As great as that sounds, you always need to be sensible and respect your limits.

8. Have you ever worried about the age of a plane once you?re on board?

» RR: I?ve never been worried, but there may be some tension when boarding a plane you?re not so familiar with. Apart from that I fully trust the technical team who do a great job.

9. What was the most turbulent flight you ever witnessed?

» RR: I?ve experienced engine failure. It?s interesting to see how trained behaviour patterns can be applied in an emergency.

10. Is there any other aircraft that ought to be added to the Flying Bulls collection?

» RR: A Starfighter ? and it would have to be airworthy. But the noise will probably ensure this remains an impossibility, so in the meantime I?ll keep dreaming of flying a Hawker Sea-Fury.

113