Blue sky thinking

Zhao Wei is among only about 100 people in the world to perform Unlimited Aerobatics, the highest level for aerobatics. Zou Hong/China Daily

Pilot Zhao Wei has realized his childhood dream of flying. Now he's setting his sights on the World Advanced Aerobatic Championships, He Na and Wu Yong write in Shenyang.

Against a clear blue sky, several jet fighters painted in bright colors roll, flip and twist above a multitude of spectators. They might dive sharply like hawks swooping for prey or pose mid-air, but in the next second they dash across the sky In the eyes of Zhao Wei, these breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers are still too easy. He can do better with a greater degree of difficulty. For normal aerobatic performance, the plane can only roll once or twice each time, but Zhao can make his aircraft roll a dozen times.

He can even pose with a vertical or leaning gesture in mid-air without moving.

What Zhao Wei performs is called Unlimited Aerobatics, which is the highest level for aerobatics, one of the world's most thrilling competitive sports.

Only about 100 people in the world are qualified for the sport, and Zhao is the only person who has grasped the skills in China.

As a professional aerobatic pilot, Zhao is also team leader of the Red Bull Aerobatic Team of China, China's first unlimited aerobatics team.

He is the only Chinese in the team. The other three team members are all from South Africa and rank in the Top 10 of world aerobatics.

"Zhao is very talented. He has strength and good reaction capacity, which are all suitable for aerobatics," says team member Scott Ternent.

Although only coming together as a team in April 2013, within a year they have participated in several world-class competitions and air shows, achieving very good results, and have gained a worldwide reputation.

Zhao often jokes that he's better-known out of China as the only oriental face on the world aerobatics stage and has attracted a lot of attention.