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Zivko EDGE 540v3,
History
The Edge 540, manufactured by Zivko Aeronautics, is as precise and controllable as it is
aggressive. The small, one-seater aircraft is a favourite amongst Red Bull Air Race pilots,
largely due to its fuselage.
The computer optimised, steel tube frame makes the Edge 540 an extremely light, very
durable and easily repairable raceplane.
Using an unconventional straight-edged wing, the Edge 540 sparked much interest in flying
circles around the world, particularly after Kirby Chambliss began using it for aerobatic
competitions. The aircraft has since evolved into the highly refined and technologically
advanced version of the original prototype, with the radical wing now acknowledged as a
pioneering feat of design.
Martin Sonka
Martin Šonka (born March 26, 1978 in Dvůr Králové nad Labem) is a Czech aerobatics
(unlimited) and a former fighter pilot in the Czech Air Force. He has raced in Red Bull Air Race
World Championship since 2010,[1] becoming the World Champion in the 2018 Red Bull Air
Race World Championship season.
Martin Šonka began his aviation career in 1997. In this year he flew a glider for the first time
and started his studies at University of Defence in Brno as a pilot. In 1999 he gained his Private
Pilot Licence. Between 2001 and 2005 he attended Jan Perner Transport Faculty at University
of Pardubice (Department of Transport Management, Marketing and Logistics). He finished
his studies with a master's degree in 2005.
His military career started in 2000 in Pardubice. Two years after he moved to the air base in
Náměšť nad Oslavou and in 2006 to 21st Tactical Air Force Base at Čáslav where he began
flying L-159 Alca. In 2012 he has finished the type rating for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. In 2014
he was forced to leave the army due to his busy racing schedule.
In 2005 he became a member of the Czech national aerobatic team. He used to fly Su-31,
however in the past few years he is training and competing with Extra 300SR.
In 2009 Šonka passed all Red Bull Air Race qualifying camps and gained The Red Bull Air Race
Super Licence. Then he was nominated for a 2010 season rookie.
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