Webber learning to fly

Saturday, 2 July 2011 01:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SYDNEY, (AFP): Not content with driving a Formula One car, Australian star Mark Webber now wants to fly planes and Qantas plans to help him.

The 34-year-old Red Bull driver used a B737 flight simulator ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this year and spent time at Heathrow airport in London on Wednesday in the cockpit of a A380 with a training captain.

Webber, who became a Qantas Ambassador in February, said it had reinforced his desire to learn to fly. “Flying is something that has always fascinated me,” he said.

“It was so exciting to have the opportunity to fly over the Albert Park Formula One circuit in a Qantas B737 simulator earlier this year and it really consolidated my passion to fly an aircraft one day.”

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the airline planned to help him achieve his dream.

“Qantas will provide mentoring support with one of the airline’s training pilots and time in the Qantas flight simulators,” he said.

“I’m sure Mark’s driving skills and his excellent hand-eye coordination will put him in good stead in learning to fly an aircraft.”

Webber is currently third in the Formula One drivers’ standings after eight races, behind teammate Sebastian Vettel and McLaren’s Jenson Button.