Richard Goodwin has been revealed as the Vale’s mystery aerobatics pilot.
Richard Goodwin, aged 51, contacted the Journal after his daredevil activities hit the headlines last week.
The pilot from Malvern saw his aerobatics called into question by residents in a number of villages including Fladbury and Throckmorton, who were unhappy with the noise his performances create and he offered them his apologies.
But he was pleased to hear that others had enjoyed the displays.
Mr Goodwin has been hitting the heights in his Pitts S2S biplane, which he stripped and rebuilt almost from scratch, to practice for his nerve-shredding displays at a string of upcoming shows including the Clacton Airshow and the Malvern Autumn Show.
As part of his routine Mr Goodwin performs a spectacular array of stunts including loop-the-loops and vertical climbs and falls.
Speaking to the Journal this week he said: “I apologize for any noise and certainly don’t want to upset anyone. It takes a lot of practice in order to perform these aerobatics. It can be very disorientating and you hit up to +7G and -5G. Your body is experiencing up to seven times its own weight The manoeuvres include the ‘tower of power’. You run in at 200 miles an hour and pull up into a vertical.
Then you roll several times and the plane comes to a stop and begins to travel backwards.”
The commercial pilot, who fought in the Gulf War with the RAF and now flies with the British Aerobatics Association, added: “I used to be in the Royal Air Force and I flew the Tornado GR1 in the first Gulf War.
During my training I had some success in aerobatics and that is where my love for it began.
“I got the Pitts S2S and I have built and developed it on my own and am now getting into some of the bigger air shows with it.
“I displayed at the Cosford Airshow, until that point I had been struggling but afterwards people have seen the plane and realised it is a bit special.
”It is a big achievement. A portion of my fee goes to SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association). A charity that I am proud to support.”
For more information on Mr Goodwin’s work, or to book a display visit richgoodwin-airshows.com.
Story and Photo: http://www.cotswoldjournal.co.uk
