Svetlana Kapanina

[Shadowcaster]

Without a doubt my favorite pilot, the beautiful Svetlana Kapanina. One of the best aerobatic pilots of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQONtYjDlMw

[C]

Brilliantly skilled pilot. I found it hilarious that when the video first appeared on Facebook, people in some parts of the world thought it was notable that a women could be so competent. Some parts of the world need to keep up...

[ftldave]

Brilliantly skilled pilot. I found it hilarious that when the video first appeared on Facebook, people in some parts of the world thought it was notable that a women could be so competent. Some parts of the world need to keep up...

Well, best keep on laughing, C, because many countries (like Russia) don't have female military pilots NOR female airline pilots, not since WW2. For show, Svetlana's a delight, but she'd never be a true "professional" pilot in even her own country. See her interview from a few years ago where she explains that most women don't have the money for pilot training (unless they have a rich oligarch husband to foot the bill - wink, wink!), combined with the pressures to have a traditional family, raise children, etc. She is talented, yes, but hardly an example of female equality on any imaginary global basis.

[pete]

Great video, thanks for posting!

[C]

Brilliantly skilled pilot. I found it hilarious that when the video first appeared on Facebook, people in some parts of the world thought it was notable that a women could be so competent. Some parts of the world need to keep up...

Well, best keep on laughing, C, because many countries (like Russia) don't have female military pilots NOR female airline pilots, not since WW2. For show, Svetlana's a delight, but she'd never be a true "professional" pilot in even her own country. See her interview from a few years ago where she explains that most women don't have the money for pilot training (unless they have a rich oligarch husband to foot the bill - wink, wink!), combined with the pressures to have a traditional family, raise children, etc. She is talented, yes, but hardly an example of female equality on any imaginary global basis.

It was more a comment based on amazement a woman might actually be capable of flying an aeroplane... Seems to shock some people.

PS - Aeroflot have female pilots.

[Anthindelahunt]

Brilliant Video.Brilliant pilot.

Anthin.