Annie Galland – Quesnel Observer
Asked why he's called Super Dave, Dave Mathieson tells an amazing tale.
He was just 18 years old and flying a Cessna 180 floatplane when the steering wheel broke off.
Super Dave had to fly the plane by opening and closing doors and the manual effort of leaning back and forth. Dave flew for 52 minutes that way before landing the plane beautifully. Once on the ground he fainted.
From the age of eight, Dave knew he wanted to fly. After taking a glider flight and watching a Snow Birds performance, he was hooked.
Thanks to Air Cadets, Dave had his glider license at 15 and his power license at 16.
"As a career it was all about flight; at 18 I had my commercial license," he said.
He's been a pilot for Air Canada Jazz, a bush pilot, started a float plane business in Greece, then went on to fly United Nations relief into Sumatra, plus charters in the Arctic, the Carribean and Maldives Islands.
He's now a full time air show pilot.
Super Dave will be one of the featured performers at Quesnel International Airshow, Skyfest 2013, Aug. 3 – 4.
Super Dave said this type of flying is totally fun, but a lot of hard work.
He added he's practiced his manoeuvres thousands of times.
"I have a life wish, not a death wish," he said with a big smile.
Super Dave pilots a Scheyden MX2. It's his third season in this plane, which is the only one of its kind in Canada.
"It's completely constructed of carbon fibre, which makes it lighter and stronger. You can't break it in the sky," he said.
Beginning with the Twilight Show on Friday night, July 31 and moving into two days of sensational action with gates opening at 10 a.m. and show start at noon, watch for Super Dave and the other jaw-dropping, spectacular performances.
Tickets (adult, youth, family and weekend camping package) for Skyfest 2015 are available at the Tourist Bureau or online at www.quesnelskyfest.ca/tickets. Mustang tickets can be purchased at various venues including Quesnel Visitors Centre.