Tatton survives stunt ride

25 Nov, 2011Latest News

Tatton survives stunt ride

SPORTING a shiny-green tinge, Paul Tatton proudly held up his barf bag from the front seat of an aerobatic stunt plane.

“I was sick all the way,” the Sunshine Coast councillor yelled to family and friends who had watched in awe as the German-made Extra 300 was put through a series of loops, rolls, spins and stall turns 3000 feet above the ground.

Looking a bit unsteady on his feet, Cr Tatton jumped to the tarmac and immediately kissed the bitumen.

The 30-minute G-Force-packed joy ride was a 50th birthday present for the Nambour representative from his flatmate Lee Hughes and Lee’s partner Ben Simpson.

“He didn’t really want to celebrate his birthday, so I thought this was perfect,” Lee said.

Cr Tatton said it was awesome to look at the Coast from up high but being sick wasn’t much fun.

“I got sick on the first manoeuvre and it didn’t stop,” he said.

Sunshine Coast Aero Club pilot Colin Appleton said the stunt plane provided the ultimate thrill ride but sometimes got the better of people.

“He didn’t go too bad,” Mr Appleton laughed.

The aircraft, once used by the Chilean Air Force aerobatic team, has been flying in Australia since 2007.