Some Flyers KNOW How To Travel...

One of ANN's favorite people was kind enough to share an interesting story with us. It seems that Budapest was the scene of quite an event recently when Hungarian aerobatic champion and flying legend Zoltan Veres flew his custom-made American Culp's Special under the historic Chain Bridge as part of Hungary's national 20th of August celebration. (Hungary's state and constitution were established by King Stephanus on the 20th of August, 1000, so this celebration is much like the 4th of July in the States).

The Chain Bridge, built in 1836, is the most historic of the bridges spanning the Danube in this city of 3.5 million. It is part of Hungarian tradition each 20th of August to have a huge air and water parade in front of the Parliament building -- which is just beside the bridge. Aerobatic champ Veres was asked to fly his Special as part of the ceremony, and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to do something very few have been able to do.

Not An Every-Day Event

The bridge "underflight" was a complicated venture. A natural gas line runs under the busy Chain Bridge, which sits in the center of the city, next to government buildings. Veres had to obtain a long list of approvals, including the OKs of the local police and fire departments, Budapest's mayor, and the Hungarian version of the FAA. A fire brigade and rescue ships were on standby.

On event day, tens of thousands of spectators lined the banks of the Danube early, and were rewarded with an up-close-and-personal view of a flashy red and white biplane executing two perfect under-bridge flybys. Photographs of the event were plastered across the front pages of every major newspaper in Hungary and on every television newscast across the country.

How Do You Practice For Such A Thing?

"I had no chance to practice, because the bridge is in the center of the city and very busy," says Veres. "So we could say that my first underflight was my practice, and the second one, the show!"

40-year-old Veres and his Culp's Special have certainly been staying busy. In addition to the national celebration, Veres was a headliner at the Hungarian Kecskemet military air show on August 16-17, an event held every two years. This year's military show attracted 400,000 spectators.

Now Veres will begin preparing for the "Jubilee" flight to honor Hungarian aviators Antal Banhidi and Tibor Bisits. 70 years ago, the two flew a Gerle 13 biplane around the Mediterranean Sea to prove the proficiency of Hungarian pilots and to encourage the Hungarian government to support aviation. Beginning October 15, weather permitting, Veres and his Culp's Special will follow in the footsteps of Banhidi and Bisits. Hungarian television and other European media will be following the historic trek.

The trip begins in Hungary, then goes to: Klagenfurt (Austria), Udine, Venice, Verona, Milan (Italy), Cannes and Marsailles (France), Barcelona and Alicante (Spain), Oran, Algiers (Algeria), Tunis (Tunisia),) Tripoli, Ben Ghazi (Libya) Amseath, Cairo (Egypt), Gaza (Palestine),  Alepo (Syria), Adena, Konia, Istanbul (Turkey),  Saloniki, Athens, Jannina (Greece), Brindisi, Naples, Rome, Ravenna, Venice (Italy), Klagenfurt (Austria); and then finally, Szeekesfeheevaar (say that three times fast, I dare you) and Budapest in Hungary, for a total distance of 7616 miles.

Veres' Special is sponsored by MOL, the Hungarian Oil and Gas Company, and was built by Shreveport, La., designer/builder Steve Culp. The Special flies behind a workhorse 360-hp M-14P Russian radial engine and is rated to +9 and -6 Gs. Veres saw his first Special on a trip to the United States several years ago, and after flying one, set his sights on owning one.

Oh Yeah, He Does Have A "Real" Job...

When not flying under bridges or recreating historic treks, Veres pilots a 737 for MALEV Hungarian Airlines, and is an ATP, aircraft engineer, aviation legal expert, and holds a test pilot rating. He has won the Czechoslovak Masters title, was a silver medalist in the British Nationals, and a bronze medal in the World Championships. He was invited to participate in the famous Breitling World Cup series, and in 2001, was the AEC European Aerobatic Champion.

FMI: Steve Culp, Culpspecial@yahoo.com, www.culpsspecialties.com