Daredevil pilots fly through hangar at same time

TWO fearless pilots have achieved a world first - by flying through an aircraft hangar at the same time.
The two planes exit the hangar after successfully flying through it side-by-side. Picture: PAThe two planes exit the hangar after successfully flying through it side-by-side. Picture: PA
The two planes exit the hangar after successfully flying through it side-by-side. Picture: PA

Daredevil duo Steve Jones and Paul Bonhomme were flying just one metre above the ground, with their aircraft wings close to touching as they flew through the hangar at 185mph and out the other side.

The pair said the stunt, which was carried out at Llanbedr Airfield in north Wales, was inspired by the ‘barnstorming’ pilots of the 1900s.

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Bonhomme, who is a two-time world champion of the Red Bull Air Race, said it had been a ‘slightly bizarre’ experience.

The two planes speed through the hangar at 185mph. Picture: PAThe two planes speed through the hangar at 185mph. Picture: PA
The two planes speed through the hangar at 185mph. Picture: PA

He added: “There was a great sense of relief, but it was really great fun.”

His flying partner Jones enthused: “There is nothing that quite compares to that feeling when you are 200 yards from the hangar and you’ve got no options, you’re completely hemmed in and you just need to check you’re in line with the gap in the building and press on through it.

“I can’t think of anything I’ve done in the past that was quite as risky as this. As we exited after the first run, we looked across at each other just to make sure that all the bits were still there.”

Bonhomme will again be competing in the Red Bull Air Race at Ascot Racecourse in August.

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