Steve Jones (aviator)

Steve Jones
Steve Jones
	Steve Jones in 2010
Born	5 January 1960 (age 64)
Nationality	Great Britain
Website	Profile at air-races.com

Steve Jones (born 5 January 1960) is a British airline and aerobatics pilot who competed in the Red Bull Air Race World Series, flying a Zivko Edge 540. He is now the championship's head judge.

Jones had his first flying lesson at just five years old, in 1965, in a Cessna, on the knee of a family friend. He became a pilot both commercially and competitively.

Commercially, Jones was formerly a captain for British Airways, flying a Boeing 747. He spends his off-season working on and racing vintage cars. His company is also rebuilding two vintage wooden racing aircraft.

Since 1994, Jones has flown competitively and as a display pilot with Paul Bonhomme in their Red Bull Matadors Team. They have taken their show around the world from the UAE to Japan. Jones flies as the wingman. Jones was a competitive Red Bull Air Race pilot from the first UK race which took place in Kemble UK in 2004. In the Red Bull Air Race series of 2007, he won in Porto, Portugal, defeating Mike Mangold.

Jones retired from Airrace as a competitor at the end of the 2008 season. He spent the next two seasons as technical commentator for TV and Internet coverage.

Red Bull Air Race took a 3-year break, returning in 2014. Jones came back as race director and head of training.

On 16th November 2021 Steve Jones became the record holder for electrically powered planes over a 3km course, with a speed of 559.9km/h (345.4mph) in the Spirit of innovation, built for Rolls Royce buy the now defunct Electroflight.

Jones is not to be confused with Steve Jones, glider pilot, who was winner of the 2001 and 2014 World Gliding Championships.

1995 British Aerobatics Champion edit

1995 UK Freestyle Aerobatics Champion
FAI WGP Championships – three 1st place medals, one 2nd place medal
All FAI WGP results in the formation team category as the Sukhoi Duo/Matadors

Flying achievements edit

2000 FAI World Grand Prix, Gold Medal, Japan
2001 FAI WGP, Silver, Japan
2002 FAI WGP, Silver, Czech Republic; Gold, Japan
2004 FAI WGP, Gold, U.A.E.
2005 FAI WGP, Gold, Switzerland
2005 FAI WGP, Bronze, U.A.E.; Gold, Switzerland

Steve Jones at the Red Bull Air Race World Series
Year	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Points	Wins	Rank
2003	NC	DNS											0	0	NC
2004	2nd	4th	7th										8	0	3rd
2005	2nd	5th	5th	6th	6th	6th	9th						12	0	6th
2006	8th	10th	7th	CAN	8th	1st	DQ	DQ	5th				8	0	6th
2007	5th	8th	7th	12th	CAN	4th	6th	5th	1st	4th	CAN	10th	17	0	5th
2008	7th	9th	7th	3rd	9th	2nd	4th	CAN	6th				33	0	6th