Thursday, January 20, 2011

Visit by Wolfgang Matt to South Africa. Double World Champion to compete in KZN Aerobatic Nationals -- Neil Allen



We are delighted to confirm that Wolfgang Matt will be entering our S A Aerobatic Nationals at Emoyeni microlight park, between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, KZN on April 29, 30, and May 1st 2011. It is an easy date to remember, as the last day of the Nats is "Mayday".

He will be coming earlier to coach our SA Aerobatic team before they go to the World Championships in Muncie, USA in July 2011. He will be bringing his latest design, the Peridot as in the photograph. It is powered by a Hacker electric motor. He is arranging for one of our SA Team members to acquire it from him to fly in the World Championships. His design series are named after precious stones, and his Saphir, Beryl, and the Amethyst biplane are well known, and flown in South Africa. His first famous design, the Atlas was very popular, and I myself enjoyed flying one for many years.

He comes from Lichtenstein,  a small country on the eastern border of Switzerland. It has a population of only 35,000 people, and according to the "CIA World FactBook" is the richest country in the world per head of population. This is because of their well known, very secretive, and very profitable banks. Wolfgang worked in real estate, then for his son Roland in banking, and is now retired.

Wolfgang has won the World Aerobatics Championships twice, and placed in the first three 12 times, since 1971. He has flown in South Africa before, at the World Championships held in Johannesburg in 1979, which he won. He is obviously an excellent coach, with an amazing record. The Lichtenstein team of Wolfgang, Roland, and one other flyer have always beaten South Africa, Britain, Australia, and many other major countries with vastly larger populations. He has also competed in the invitational Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas on many occasions, with his large scale aerobatic designs.

His partner is the widow of Bruno Giezendanner, who was the Swiss R/C aerobatics champion. She will be joining Wolfgang during our event, and they will then do some touring of South Africa.


The photo shows Wolfgang on the right, with his son Roland on the left. The Peridot is available from Oxai, who have a local agent, Burt Botha.

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