Why visit ACE ’25?
Flying Bulls, the Austrian-based team of aeroplane enthusiasts dedicated to preserving and flying historic aircraft, has made an addition to its fleet that is much more modern to its usual choice of vintage aircraft: a Eurocopter EC135. The Bulls took delivery of the EC135 in May this year. It will be used for private flights such as at displays and air shows as well as promotional flights to advertise the Red Bull brand. The twin engine, 140kts aircraft is owned by the Flying Bull's parent company, caffeine energy drink manufacturer Red Bull. It is painted in the Red Bull blue, red and silver colours and accompanying logos. "The Flying Bulls are the operating company for all Red Bull owned aircraft," explained Harald Reiter, Flying Bulls' general manager. "We do not fly the aircraft for charter flights or anything like that." Asked why the EC135 had been chosen, he said: "The main fleet in Austria is from Eurocopter and of course the EC135 is operated from the Austrian rescue company, so in case of any assistance needed, it would be easier to get it for the 135 than any other aircraft such as a Bell or a McDonnell Douglas. "And also our chief pilot who will be flying it came from that company and has vast experience with it, so it is very convenient." The helicopter will be kept at Salzburg airport where The Flying Bulls are based, at the eastern part of the main airport where it has its own hangars. It joins a fleet that includes a Douglas DC-6B that Yugoslavian head of state Marshal Josip Broz Tito had converted to a luxury aircraft, a North American B-25J Mitchell built in 1945, a Cessna CE 208 Amphibian Caravan, a Lockheed P-38L, three fully operative, demilitarized Dassault Dornier Alpha Jets, and a Chance Vought F4U-4 "Corsair" that was built and delivered to the US Navy in 1945. The Flying Bulls collection and flying teams can be seen at air shows and all types of aviation-related events across Europe including the Air Race Budapest 19-21 August, and Thunersee, in Leissigen on August 26 and 27.