Spanish Pilot Juan Velarde Takes Part in Red Bull Air Race Exhibition in Acapulco

Juan Velarde, a Spanish pilot who is part of the elite category of the Red Bull Air Race, spoke with La Afición about his passion for airplanes. He discussed piloting a plane to overcome obstacles at high speeds in the Master Class, as well as flying for Iberia to transport passengers between continents.

"I feel very comfortable, almost like home. I have come to Mexico many times flying on the commercial airplane with the airline. So being here, connected to the Red Bull Air Race and the world of racing, is a double pleasure," he said.

How do you balance being a commercial pilot with regularly competing in the series?

It's not easy because of the schedule. I have to spend a lot of time away from home and I have to balance both activities. Fortunately, the airline I fly for supports me. They like having a competition pilot on their team and I fly relatively little, so I can dedicate myself to training and competing.

How different are the two activities, even though they involve airplanes?

They are very different, but they complement each other. Of course, the world of competition is exciting. I go from flying a 600-kilogram plane 20 meters above the ground to a 230-ton plane 10 kilometers high around the world. Although they are technically two different activities, flying for an airline is about handling cutting-edge technology, and knowing and mastering such a huge airplane is also very attractive.

How did you get involved in the Red Bull Air Race?

I started flying when I was a teenager, then I became a professional pilot, and later I started doing some aerobatic flying to see what it was like because I was always attracted to it. Then I got more involved, started training seriously, and became part of the Spanish aerobatic flying team. I competed for 10 years in European and World Championships until I had the opportunity to take some tests for the Air Race. I passed them and here I am. This is my third season, and it's an honor to compete against the best in the world.

You made the jump from the Challenger Cup (development category) to the Master Class. How different are they?

It's a significant leap. In 2014, I flew in the Challenger Cup and then I was selected. Last year was my first season in the Master Class, and it's technically more challenging. The planes are lighter and faster, you have to manage the energy and withstand much more G-force, accelerations. Physically, it's tougher, and you have to manage the team. You are at a different level in terms of technical development, sponsorships, and workload. You not only have to think about flying but also about everything else.

In the first two races, you were eliminated in the Round of 14. What do you expect for the rest of the season?

The start has been good. Last year was a year of learning, and now we hope to get results. In the last race in Austria, we won the qualifying round, which was a step forward, especially for building confidence and seeing that we are capable of winning. So, for the next race, I hope to avoid mistakes and aim for the podium.

What is the key to winning in this category?

The differences between pilots are tenths or hundredths of a second. Any small detail matters. It's a very important teamwork. You have to develop the plane, make it lighter, faster, and more powerful. On the other hand, there is a tactical approach to each race. As a pilot, I have to control the flight technique, concentration, my physical condition, and carry out that approach.