RAINER WILKE

Born in 1948, and at the age of six, Wilke flew in a helicopter at an air show; this had a significant effect on his life, but the dream of becoming a pilot initially appeared unachievable. Rainer Wilke always had two major dreams: fast cars and flying. Wilke first completed training to become a car mechanic; his prime objective then was to get into motor racing.

Becoming a pilot seemed more interesting to him, but also less achievable than being a racing car driver, but he managed it with his resilience and ambition! After completing the training to become a mechanic, he completed his national service as an armored infantryman, not really his desired objective. However, he put everything into being able to start his pilot training in the German Army! Rainer ultimately managed this, and was trained on an Alouette II helicopter; hid development continued constantly, at the age of 36, he got involved with aerobatics for the first time. He had to make do with just four hours of instruction. Rainer Wilke acquired his current ability as a helicopter aerobatic pilot over the years himself from constant training.

After being employed by the German Army, he worked as a stunt pilot in the film industry and had an engagement at the Test Flight Academy South Africa (TFASA) and finally found his way to The Flying Bulls.

He was also the spark for the Flying Bulls starting aerobatics! Wilke is now one of the best helicopter aerobatic pilots in the world. He knows how to move his BO-105 at the absolute limit of aerodynamics. The two Flying Bulls helicopter pilots Siegfried Schwarz (AUT), Mirko Flaim (ITA) and the current Flying Bulls pilot of the USA Aaron Fitzgerald were also trained in helicopter aerobatics by him. ( And he has trained Chuck Aaron) Currently he has one pilot attending the aerobatics training by Rainer.

A quote from Wilke: “There are currently more than 20 active Formula One drivers, but only five active helicopter aerobatic pilots!” The BO-105 is of course his favorite aircraft.