Manfred
Performance description Sailplane (day)The main act 'The Ultimate' is considered to be one of the top acts in the air show industry. This sailplane act is elegant, graceful and spectacular. This quiet act, accompanied by beautiful classical music, is in stark contrast to the noisy performances of the power planes. The spectators delight in the change of pace and variety this sailplane performance offers. While most of this act is graceful and elegant, it has a spectacular ending: the grand finale is the amazing inverted ribbon cut.
Performance description Fan Man (day)
This is a truly unique, completely different, ground act. Wearing a clown outfit, Manfred straps an engine with a propeller on his back and rides a bicycle in front of the spectator area. The kids love this 'cool' act. It can be performed even when no performer can fly for various reasons such as commercial arrivals and departures or a low cloud ceiling. Manfred hangs various inflatable objects from a pole which is attached to the bicycle. A sponsor's flag, about 2 by 3 feet in size, can be attached there, publicizing the sponsor's product or service.
Performance description (night)
Performed since 1990, this outstanding sailplane night act has proven to be extremely popular with audiences in North America and in Australia. This spectacular night performance features special effects on both wing tips and is accompanied by classical music.
Aircraft
Sailplane (also called glider), H 101 Salto. The Salto is a fully aerobatic, highly maneuverable sailplane which is also suited for extended soaring flights. Very elegant in appearance, its distinctive features are a Vee tail, trailing edge dive brakes and a drogue chute. For daytime performances the Salto is equipped with a wing tip smoke system. Another wing tip system is designed to display special effects during night performances.
Background
Manfred immigrated to Canada in 1969 and became a gliding instructor in 1972, adding the glider aerobatic instructor's endorsement in 1977. He is a former member of the Flight Training and Safety Committee of the Soaring Association of Canada.
In 1974 he reached a high point in his career when he achieved an altitude of 35,000 feet above sea level over the Rocky Mountains near Colorado Springs. Flying the same sailplane in which he performs at air shows, Manfred flew a distance of 600 km (375 miles) over the Appalachian Mountains in May of 1986, a flight lasting 8 hours and 45 minutes.
For many years, Manfred was the only one in North America who competed in glider aerobatic championships. In 1977, in 1979 and in 1981, he competed in the prestigious German Glider Aerobatic Championships, and in 1977, received an award as the 'best foreign aerobatic pilot'. In 1985 he competed in the First World Championship in Glider Aerobatics, held in Austria, representing Canada as its leading glider aerobatic pilot.
Manfred is a top professional air show performer who ushered in a new era in sailplane demonstrations. He has the distinction of having introduced world championship-level performances to air shows in North America. | 
Home
