Silver medal Czech aerobatic pilot Martin Šonka proof

Pilot Martin Šonka is a living legend of Czech aviation. This silver commemorative medal pays tribute to him.

Even as a boy, he adored everything that flies. He devoted himself to model aircraft, devoured books about airplanes, and listened intently to his father’s enthusiastic stories. He wasn’t even of legal age yet when he took the 500 crowns he’d saved from his piggy bank and fulfilled his dream - he took a flight in a motor glider. As soon as Martin Šonka soared into the clouds, he knew exactly what his future held. He began training at the Tábor Aeroclub, went skydiving, and soon started flying on his own - first in gliders and then in powered aircraft. After graduating from high school, he decided to devote himself fully to flying, so he enrolled in the Military Academy - majoring in fighter pilot training. In the military, he had the honor of flying the L-29 Delfín, L-39 Albatros, L-159 Alca, and JAS-39 Gripen, in which he exceeded a speed of 1.5 Mach or roughly 1,800 km/h. He successfully pursued aerobatics, worked his way up to the Czech national team, and ultimately became the first Czech pilot to compete in the prestigious Red Bull Air Race series, where he defeated the world’s elite and claimed victory. Today, he passes on his wealth of experience - he works at the Aviation Training Center in Pardubice, where he participates in the training of military pilots…

The obverse side of the commemorative medal, designed by medal artist MgA. Martin Dašek, features a faithful portrait of Martin Šonka, putting on his helmet. The reverse side depicts his aerobatic aircraft, the Zivko Edge 540 V3, with which he became the 2018 world champion in the Red Bull Air Race.

The mintage consists of 500 pieces, each presented in a themed package.