Lithuanians in the News
9th April, 2007
Aerobatics World Champion Jurgis Kairys thrills Australians
Jurgis Kairys. Photo
courtesy Geelong Advertiser
The legendary Lithuanian pilot Jurgis Kairys again thrilled large crowds of viewers at the Australian International Airshow 2007 at Avalon, near Geelong, which was held 20-25 March, 2007, and which attracted over 300 pilots. The spectacular aerobatics by Kairys were one of the highlights of the Airshow.
Jurgis Kairys flying above Trakai Castle in Lithuania.
Photo courtesy Jurgis Kairys website
This is a return visit to Australia for Jurgis Kairys, who also performed his death defying, spectacular routines two years ago at the Airshow 2005. He is the unquestioned world aerobatics champion. Having won the World Freestyle Championship four times and having set challenging new aerobatics standards, to which other pilots now aspire, he is now held as the greatest aerobatic pilot of his time. Among his memorable aerobatics achievements is the flight under the ten rather low bridges spanning the river Neris in Vilnius in 1996 on Lithuania's National Day, July 4. To cap it, in 2000 he flew under the pedestrian bridge spanning the river Nemunas in Kaunas upside down!
At Avalon this year Jurgis Kairys flew in his JUKA aircraft, named from first two letters of his name and surname. This is an aircraft which he has been redesigning and improving since 1999 and which now is placed among the most advanced aerobatics aircraft ever built. Kairys, together with other pilots, performed two new routines which thrilled the crowds - "Air Bandits" and "Tin Styx of Dynamite". The fact that Kairys is also a qualified aeronautical engineer and a test pilot has helped him create new aerobatics maneuvers. The 54 year old Kairys lives in Vilnius with his wife Birutė, a teacher, and sons Mantas and Simas.
Further information:
Click on:
Kairys at Airshow 2007 video #1
Kairys at Airshow 2007 video #2
Kairys at Willow Grove, USA, in 2006 video		 Australian International Airshow 2007 - www.airshow.net.au/airshow2007
Jurgis Kairys website - www.jkairys.com
The Herald Sun - www.heraldsun.news.com.au
Geelong Advertiser 14/03/07