In an awe-inspiring feat, pilot Luke Czepiela skillfully executed a flawless landing using a specially prepared Carbon Cub on the helipad perched atop the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai.
Soaring Heights:
A Daring Touchdown on
Burj Al Arab’s Sky-High Helipad
For aviators who revel in the thrill of mastering short landings, CubCrafters has set a new standard. In a remarkable collaboration with Red Bull and the extreme sports powerhouse XDubai, the stage was set for a daring landing of a Carbon Cub on the helipad crowning the 56-story Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, UAE. Luke Czepiela, a distinguished Red Bull Air Race pilot and proud owner of a Carbon Cub, expertly maneuvered a modified version of the aircraft onto the pad, a mere 90 feet wide and soaring 695 feet above sea level.
“At CubCrafters, we believe that all significant moments stem from small ideas fueled by imagination and a passion for creating something extraordinary,” remarked Patrick Horgan, CubCrafters’ president and CEO. “Having been inspired by Red Bull’s numerous projects over the years, we were honored to collaborate on this venture, showcasing the exceptional capabilities of the aircraft we design and manufacture.”
The visionary behind the project, Michał Graczyk, the event’s aviation project manager, emphasized the meticulous planning that preceded the daring feat. “To guarantee success, we sought the aircraft best suited to the challenge, and CubCrafters was the clear choice,” stated Graczyk. Brad Damm, CubCrafters’ vice president, added that the two-year planning phase and the subsequent successful landing on the helipad “truly push the boundaries of what a best-of-class STOL aircraft, coupled with an exceptionally skilled and dedicated pilot, can accomplish.”
Adding technical prowess to the endeavor, Mike Patey, a seasoned bush pilot, aviation engineer, and YouTube personality who also owns a Carbon Cub, contributed to the modifications. Patey revealed the straightforward strategy: “We cut weight, adjusted the center of gravity to enhance brake effectiveness, and injected extra horsepower into the equation.”
Since the hotel’s completion in 1999, its helipad has served as a unique backdrop for various promotional events. Notably, in 2004, golf legend Tiger Woods showcased his skills by hitting golf balls from the pad ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic tournament. The following year witnessed tennis greats Roger Federer and Andre Agassi engaging in a match on the same helipad. Fast forward to 2013, and the helipad’s dimensions seemed particularly daunting as Formula 1 driver David Coulthard executed donuts in his Red Bull racing car before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This latest feat with the Carbon Cub adds another exhilarating chapter to the hotel’s legacy of spectacular events. Join E3 Aviation’s vibrant community of passionate aviators, where we celebrate such awe-inspiring moments in aviation that stir the soul and fuel the imagination.
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