Air race pilot Matthias Dolderer feels himself much better in the air than on the land. He flies through various obstacles, always smiles and keeps on repeating his motto, “Have fun and never hit the ground”.
He jokes saying he would pilot anything flying and that while the plane goes up, he is trying to forget everything surrounding him; he doesn’t do it to enjoy his loneliness but rather to follow the safety rules.
With an aviation experience of 25 years Dolderer who has performed hundreds of flights and air shows also teaches at Dolderer Aviation Academy.
Air races are like parking a car driving with a speed of up to 400km/h in a garage.
Dolderer first appeared in the air with his father at the age of 3. Growing up in his parents’ flight school, he came to realize he would become a pilot one day. He carried out his first individual flight when he was 14 and only then realized he feels much better in the air than on the land.
Dolderer was the sixth in the first Red Bull Air Race in Abu Dhabi 2014 and he promised to perform better in the next stages. 
- Matthias, air races were paused for 3 years. Once you noted that “When air races stopped, it hit my life very hard, since I invested everything I had into it. It is the best sport I can imagine, the best aviation-event ever…”. So now it’s high time that you started the airplane engine and got into the competition. How do you feel?
-It’s like dream coming back. You return home after a three year journey and finally the best sport for me on the planet is back on live. The RBAR is so special and unique. My team and I are really happy to be back in the competition. I invested a lot to become an RBAR pilot. It’s not simply my profession but my passion as well.
- Some changes were reported to be made in 2014 air race rules.
-We have standardized engines, propellers and exhausts. Everybody has the same chances of winning. Plus the pylons have been raised from 20m to 25m in height, and the material used will be thinner to rip more easily. Forces over 10G are not allowed anymore. Plus, the track design has changed slightly. 
-In 2014, air races return with debuts in Poland, Malaysia and China and a host of new locations. Which stage is the most exciting for you this year?
-The races in which I will hopefully be on the podium will be the most exciting. I do look forward to all the host cities. All locations are really special and unique. Croatia will be kind of a homerun for me as there is unfortunately no race in Germany and this is the nearest to my home. And a lot of fans and friends will come and support me, which is of course a special motivation.
-Main aims for 2014 (both personal and professional) for Matthias Dolderer.
-I started well over 2009 and 2010 but this year I want to be even better. The main aim, of course, is to finish regularly on the podium. Personal? Health and happiness, of course.
-Air races do not only raise the adrenalin but are also full of fun moments. Tell us some funny incidents from your career.
-We enjoy each and every race and to tell you all the funny moments we had would make this interview last forever. (Laughing) Instead, I would wish Armenian fans to stay happy and healthy. Keep supporting me and come to watch one of my races live!
Find me on Facebook and Twitter.
Matthias Dolderer was interviewed by Narine Daneghyan.
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