Michel soars to new heights

LAST year marked a first for Durban North on the aviation calendar as local resident, Michel Leusch, was crowned world champ at the Intermediate World Aerobatic Championships (IWAC). He became only the second South African to win the prestigious trophy after the late Glen Dell. This year the 34-year-old is hoping to repeat that feat, but in a higher class.

Northglen News recently caught up with him to find out about his hopes and dreams for the year ahead.
The former Northwood School pupil recently placed second at the regional champs in North West Province. Leusch is hoping to improve on his silver at the upcoming champs in order to qualify for the world champs in Poland.

“I was very pleased with my performances considering I was flying in a new plane. It’s taken me four years to build the plane so to place higher than I expected was exciting. The next regional champs is in Bloemfontein in May and I’m looking at finishing in the top three. My ultimate goal is to qualify for the world champs in Radom, Poland,” he explained.

The Durban North resident, who built his plane, a Giles G-202, said he was specifically looking for the plane because of it’s advantages.

“They aren’t manufactured any more so finding this gem was awesome. A mate of mine had it shipped in from the USA. It was found in a barn, unused and rusting away and through a shoe-string budget and help through my sponsors, I’ve been able to get her up to scratch. Theses planes were designed as an unlimited-level aerobatic airplane, designed by Richard Giles. Its carbon fibre makeup makes it ideal for the world of aerobatics.”

We also asked the Red Bull Fire Star pilot about the upcoming the Durban Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics, which takes place on 28 May.

“I used to bunk school nearly every day to come down and watch the pilots at Virginia Airport. This is on a much larger scale and I’m going to be watching people I look up to in the aviation world. It’s going to be a fantastic event for Durban.”