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RED BULL AIR RACE: Jones back in the cockpit
STEVE JONES'S job as a British Airways Jumbo 747 captain is to ferry people as safely and comfortably to their long-haul destinations.
In his other life, Cirencester-based Jones performs death defying stunt flying in the Red Bull Air Race series, which is dubbed "Formula 1 of the Skies".
Last year Jones and fellow Brit Paul Bonhomme won the team title as The Matadors, while Jones earned a creditable fifth-place finish in the overall standings.
The highlight was undoubtedly his spectacular win in Porto when he beat series champion Mike Mangold.
"It was my only podium finish of the year and I definitely want to spray around some more champagne this season," he said.
"I was too erratic last year. Winning in Porto was a great achievement, but I wasn't very satisfied with the season overall.
"The organisers are always looking for fresh talent and we are constantly under pressure, so I was delighted to be asked back.
"I hope to do much better in 2008 and I think with the modifications we have done we are going to be more competitive."
Jones has spent his spare time in the off-season skiing and working on his vintage racing cars as well as his airplane, which is housed at the Bristol and Gloucester Gliding Club at Nympsfield and maintained there by Roger Tarrgett.
The Edge 540 aircraft was shipped out last Thursday from Nympsfield to Abu Dhabi, first stop on the 10-city caravan for this popular extravaganza which drew four million spectators last year and a worldwide TV audience of 400 million.
Channel 4 will again be showing the races in 2008.
After Abu Dhabi (April 10-11), it's on to San Diego, and Detroit, before six dates in Europe (London is on August 2-3) with the traditional November finale in Perth, Australia.
The format has been changed this season with the team element being suspended, so it's now every man for himself.
"I expect Mangold and Bonhomme to be tough competitors again and Michael Goulain, who hurt his back last year, is expected to challenge more strongly," said Jones, who won't be too unhappy that the scenic Monument Valley in Arizona has been dropped from this year's schedule.
Last year, in the graveyard of so many cinematic cowboys and indians, he almost bit the dust himself.
Jones struck one of the huge inflatable marker pylons just yards from the ground and damaged the plane so badly that he was forced to retire from the race.
Luckily, his wife Judith understands all about the pitfalls of flying - she's also a jumbo jet pilot.
8:12pm Tuesday 25th March 2008
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