The B4/PC-11 flies to a World Championship title!
The World Air Sports Federation (FAI) held the first edition of the FAI Advanced Glider Aerobatic Championships in Jämijärvi, Finland, from 17 to 24 July 2010. Johan Gustafsson, 19, of Sweden, won the World Championship title with his B4/PC-11. We contacted him to find out how he beat his fellow competitors to first place. Stephanie Ziörjen, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Stans, Switzerland
Let’s start with a short review of the history of the B4/PC-11: in 1970, after in-depth market research, Pilatus acquired the construction rights for the B4 glider, thereby taking a step in a new direction. At that time, the only other glider to be made in an all-metal construction in Western Europe was the Omnipol L-13 Blanik, which was produced in the Czech Repu blic. The B4 was originally developed by a team of German engineers, working more or less in their free time, for a flying fan based in Germany. After acquisition by Pilatus, the design was revised and adapted to meet more stringent construction specifications – it was also renamed the B4/PC-11. The B4/PC-11 made its maiden flight in May 1972; it was approved by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation and received an American type certificate shortly afterwards. All in all, Pilatus produced 322 B4/PC-11s. The production rights were sold to the Japanese company, NIPPI, in 1978.
A World Champion at Just 19!
Being now 38 years since the B4/PC-11’s maiden flight, the aircraft with which Gustafsson won his title is exactly twice as old as the pilot. We are all the more delighted that the B4/PC-11 performed so well at the World Championship in Finland with Johan Gustafsson at the helm. The 19 year-old won the World Championship title in glider aerobatics (Advanced Category), beating two Germans, Michael Spitzer (2nd place) and Jochen Reuter (3rd place), in the process. Both flew an MDM-1 Fox, the only glider in which the entire range of aerobatic figures can be flown with two pilots. The MDM-1 Fox is rather younger than the B4/PC-11, having made its maiden flight in 1993. Piloting the B4/PC-11 with great flair and precision, the young Swede was a worthy World Championship winner, proving once again that another Pilatus aircraft is top of the range in its category, even after so many years!
Mr Gustafsson, let me start by congratulating you on your victory at the World Championship. We are as delighted as you are, especially as the B4/PC-11 has reached an age to be proud of!
Mr Gustafsson, you are only 19: How did you become interested in gliding, and when did you first start?
My dad, Christer Gustafsson, always flew, and I spent a lot of time at the airfield and in airplanes with him when I was a kid. He also competed in Power Aerobatics with his Zlin 526f, a Czech aerobatics sports plane. My first aerobatic flight with him was in that Zlin when I was 7 years old. I also flew model airplanes for a long time, and I did my licence when I was 15. My first plane was a DG-500, a two-seat glider of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, and the first single-seater was the Pilatus B4/PC-11. Then I collected flying hours
for my aerobatic licence.
How many competitions of this kind have you already taken part in?
I have never competed in any big international competition before. I competed for the first time in the Swedish Championship with the B4/PC-11 in 2008 and I won that competition. I also competed in the Nordic Championship in 2008, and came 7th. Then in the Swedish Championship in 2009, but in Intermediate Class (one class higher), I won again. I won the Swedish, Nordic and World Championship in the Advanced Class in 2010.
What made you go for a B4/PC-11? What links do you have with this glider?
It was the only aerobatic glider my aeroclub had (exept for the DG-500). My dad bought the glider first, many years ago, then the club bought it from him almost immediately.
What do you like about this glider?
I like the B4/PC-11 very much, it is a very nice aerobatic glider. It is also good for thermal flying, not so good for cross country because the glide ratio falls very quickly at higher speeds. The low speed limit and low roll rates are a problem in aerobatics, but even then, it can beat a Swift (smiles).
What do you think were the decisive factors behind your World Championship victory? What role did the glider itself play?
The key was all the training with the Swedish team and our coach Sandor Katona. I had a lot of hours in the B4/PC-11 and also aerobatic hours in the B4/PC-11 so I was a good friend with the B4/PC-11. I couldn’t have done it without that.
In your view, why do you think it is still possible to win a World Championship title with a glider produced in the 1970s?
The glider is very strong and it has everything you need for the Advanced Class Aerobatics. The next class Unlimited (also the highest) is too much for the B4/PC-11, because of the snap rolls and high speeds.
What are your next projects?
I actually have two projects! I have to finish my Private Pilot’s Licence and then begin power aerobatics. The otheris to compete in next year’s WorldChampionships in Poland in the Unlimited Class. But I need another glider. I am looking for a SZD-59 Acro or maybe an MDM-1 Fox.
Mr Gustafsson, many thanks for the interview, and our very best wishes to you for the future.
