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Paul
Bennet, aviator, stunt pilot, and entrepreneur
The Pilot
You
could say Paul Bennet's head has always been in the
clouds! Paul's love for flying began at a young age.
From accompanying his parents on family holidays in
a Cherokee, to model aeroplanes as a 7 year old, flying
everything from model aerobatic planes to ducted fan
jets and now the latest model gas turbine models.
In
October 2000, after a ride in a Pitts S2A, Paul was
captivated by the real world of flying and aerobatics.
Paul immediately began lessons in a Cessna 152 at
Royal Newcastle Aero Club and by 18 June 2001, was
himself piloting a Pitts S2A with the world famous
Phil Unicomb. After completing emergency manoeuvre
training and graduate training with Phil, Paul flew
his first solo flight in the Pitts on 8 February 2002.
Paul
competed in his first aerobatic competition in 2002
at the Nationals at Parkes in the Graduate category,
where he finished first with the highest percentage
score of the competition. Paul continued to compete
in the Pitts S2A in the Sportsman category the following
year, finishing second and winning the highest score
for a first time Sportsman pilot.
After
the Nationals, Paul's continued practise saw him graduate
to the Intermediate category. He moved to a S1S Pitts
which is considered by many to be a much better machine
and competed at the NSW State Championships at Temora,
finishing third.
In
2005, Paul threw himself into serious Advanced category
training, flying up to five flights per week. He competed
in the 2006 Nationals at Parkes where he placed forth.
Returning from the Nationals, Paul took time out for
much needed maintenance on his trusty S1S. During
this time, Paul flew Phil Unicomb's S2C Pitts which,
while a lot of fun, was much harder to fly than the
S1S. Paul flew the S2C in the State Championships
at Temora where he finished third.
With
his S1S back in action, Paul started to train hard
for competition and air display performances. He managed
to attract some major sponsors for the aeroplane in
Acme Fibreglass Supplies. With the help of these sponsors,
Paul has launched his air display business - Maxx-G
Aerobatics. Maxx-G Aerobatics has performed at numerous
events such as Surfest Newcastle and the Mudgee Air
Show with great success.
Paul
is enthusiastic about continuing his competitive career
and strives to be the best air display pilot in the
business. Next time you're at an air display, look
up ... you'll probably see Paul with his head in the
clouds - and loving it! (Credit:
Paul Bennet)
Website
Maxx-G
Aerobatics
Interview
2nd
May 2008
Articles
Up,
up and away - 28th April 2008
Beach
Stunt - The Bondi View - March 2009
Bondi
Beach local Greg Tingle and aviator Paul Bennet made
a gutsy attempt to block out the sun at Bondi Beach
last Saturday when Bennet took his Pitt's Special
to the air, plastered in Aquasun signage, and circled
Bondi Beach. Clouds lessened the effect but the stunt
was incident free, and no sharks were spotted. Bennet
is the Australian advanced aerobatic reigning champion
and is now working on an air stunt for the world famous
Crusty Demons.
Profiles
Maxx
G Aerobatics
Aviation
Up,
up and away - 28th April 2008
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