Glen Dell

Glen Dell (9 April 1962 – 12 October 2013) was a South African commercial airline trainer and aerobatics pilot, who was qualified to race in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in seasons 2008 and 2009.

Glen Dell
Born	(1962-04-09)9 April 1962 Johannesburg, South Africa
Died	12 October 2013(2013-10-12) (aged 51) Johannesburg, South Africa
Cause of death	Aircrash
Nationality	South Africa

Biography

Dell's father was a World War II pilot, and he himself got his Private Pilot License around the year 1979. He then joined the South African Air Force to fly helicopters. After obtaining his Commercial Pilot License, he joined South African Airways in 1994, where he became a Senior Training Captain.^[1][2][3]

In 2003, the competition aircraft Glen owned was built from traditional aluminium and the plane was considered heavy when compared to the newer composite designs emerging from Europe and the USA. In view of upgrading to a competitive composite aircraft and after extensive research, Glen decided to explore the option of producing a locally designed and manufactured aerobatic aircraft.

Glen approached a small and relatively unknown aviation company specialising in composite aircraft manufacturing, Aerocam. Based in Centurion, Pretoria, Aerocam had a good reputation within the aviation industry for innovative, high technological design and manufacturing capabilities. Aerocam's credentials include the design and development of composite aircraft components for various sectors within aviation. These include military RPV design and manufacture, commercial production of King Air 200 series cargo pods and chemical spray systems for specialised oil spill treatment aircraft. Civilian projects undertaken consist of assembly of various composite kit aircraft including Thunder Mustang and Sea Wind and the production of the Celstar GA-1 competition aerobatic glider in which won a gold and silver at the 1989 World Championships.

Celstar GA-1

Aerocam went about producing an aircraft that would be competitive at International level. In just one year the prototype aircraft took to the air and was branded the Slick 360. This craft was used to secure the 2004 National title for Glen.

Starting in 1985, he won the National Aerobatic Championships in various categories 12 times. He competed in the World Aerobatic Championships since 1994, and became Advanced World Aerobatic Champion in 2004.^[2][3][4]

Dell died in Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg suffering burns sustained when his aircraft, an Extra EA-330 crashed on 12 October 2013 at the Secunda Airshow in Secunda, Mpumalanga.^[5]

Red Bull Air Races

He first flight dated 2008 in the Red Bull Air Race World Series.

Glen Dell at the Red Bull Air Race World Series
Year	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Points	Wins	Rank
2008	12th	12th	11th	CAN	12th	10th	11th	12th	CAN	12th			0	0	12th

Legend:

• CAN: Cancelled
• DNP: Did not participate
• DNS: Did not show
• DQ: Disqualified
• NC: Not classified

See also

• Competition aerobatics

References

1. "Glenn Dell selected to compete in the Red Bull Air Race Series". Krugersdorp Flying Club. 2006. Archived from the original on 12 January 2007.
2. "About Glen". Glen Dell Aerobatics. 2013. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
3. "About Slick Aircraft". Slick Aircraft. 2020. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
4. "Glen Dell Red Bull Air Race Pilot 2007". Air-Races.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2007.
5. "Aerobatic pilot dies after show crash". News24 Archives. News24. 12 October 2013. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.