"Chris Sperou: Soaring with the Super Stinker at Aldinga Airshow 2024"
By Ian Jarvis – 9th November 2023
Chris Sperou, a legendary figure in the world of aviation, is set to thrill spectators at the Aldinga Airshow on April 7th, 2024, with his iconic aircraft, the “Super Stinker.” Born into humble beginnings, Sperou’s incredible journey exemplifies an unwavering spirit of human achievement.
Chris Sperou’s passion for aviation was ignited at a young age as he watched military aircraft refuel at Ceduna Airport near where he grew up at Thevenard. Chris used to skip lessons and ride his bike a few miles to the airfield when he knew aircraft were arriving. Chris’s childhood fascination with aircraft reminded me of my father who grew up not far away in Cook on the Nullarbor and how visiting aircraft ignited his own passion to become a pilot.
Chris’s determination to pursue his dreams led him to work initially as a line fisherman with his father and then as a refrigeration mechanic saving every penny to fund his flying lessons. A fast learner and very much a ‘natural’ pilot, Chris soon became bored flying straight and level. Once cleared to fly solo, he used to sneak aerobatic manoeuvres into his flight training exercises.
The hard work and perseverance that defined Chirs’s early years would later become hallmarks of his career. The name Chris Sperou in aviation circles commands instant respect. Chris holds 13 Australian National Aerobatic Champion trophies, a record hard to imagine will ever be beaten.
I first watched Chris perform in 1982 at Aldinga Airport in front of a small crowd. After being astounded by his acrobatic routine my eyes widened as Chris pulled a roll on a short final and then managed to wash off enough speed to execute a perfect 3 point landing. OMG- how did he do that??
What Chris can do with an aeroplane is simply beyond imagination. Flying inverted along a runway low enough to cut a ribbon between two poles is just awesome. As is flying inverted ‘mirroring’ his mate’s aircraft (canopy to canopy). We all know Tom Cruise in ‘Top Gun’ claimed this manoeuvre but it was just a movie after all. Chris makes it real.
I recall watching a news story many years ago that reported Chris’s aircraft had ‘crashed’ while performing an inverted low-level manoeuvre in Tasmania. It was amusing to witness the journalist vainly attempting to generate some drama out of the incident. When he asked Chris what happened he calmly said ‘I hit the ground.’ As if to say no big deal – rather than landing on wheels I landed upside down instead.
Now at age 84, Chris is as sharp as ever and has no plans to hang up his flying helmet anytime soon. It must be simply the love of aerobatics and entertaining spectators and that keeps Chris so motivated.
Chris has flown many aircraft in his time including a Hawker Sea Fury to open the last Formula 1 Race to be held in Adelaide. As the fastest piston engine aircraft ever built, Chris said “It was hot” pulling up at around 410 knots!
Chris’s flying skills led him to feature as a pilot in quite a few movies. One I recall was ‘Kangaroo Jack.’ I managed to sit through a pretty crappy film to see Chris fly a WW2 Boeing Stearman in ways far from ‘normal’. The owners of the aircraft must have been pretty nervous watching their pride and joy weave inverted along a rugged valley just outside Alice Springs. I knew the Steaman was acrobatic capable but Chris pulled some manoeuvres in the Stearman that are normally only reserved for the super nimble Pitts Bi-plane or the CAP 10.
So, what is Chris Sperou flying nowadays? Introducing the “Super Stinker,” a Pitts S-1 Chris custom-built. This Candy Apple Red high-performance machine has a sleek, vintage appearance that captures the essence of classic aviation while incorporating a high-performance 300+ horse-power Lycoming engine making it a stunning sight and sound in the sky. It even looks fast just sitting on the tarmac.
As the Aldinga Airshow 2024 approaches, the anticipation is building. The event promises to be an unforgettable experience for all those in attendance, with Chris Sperou’s remarkable aircraft and flying skills taking centre stage. His legacy in aviation and his dedication to the spirit of flight will shine brightly, sure to leave another indelible mark on the history of aviation.
Please don’t miss what is a rare opportunity to witness Chris Sperou and his “Super Stinker” grace the skies at the Aldinga Airshow. This event is sure to be a memorable celebration of aviation excellence and a showcase of Chris Sperou’s legendary status in the world of aerobatics, proving that dreams can take flight from even the humblest of beginnings.
