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Manfred Radius is a top professional air show performer who ushered in a new era in sailplane demonstrations. He has the distinction of having introduced world-championship-level air show performances on this continent. For many years, Radius was the only one on this continent who competed in glider aerobatic championships. In 1977, in 1979 and in 1981, he competed in the prestigeous German Glider Aerobatic Championships, and in 1977, received an award as the 'best foreign aerobatic pilot'. Canada's leading glider aerobatic pilot, he was the only one to represent this country at the First World Championships in Glider Aerobatics, held in Austria in 1985. Manfred Radius has been described as 'Sailplane Superstar' and as 'The King of Sailplane Aerobatics'. Spectator's comments about his performances include superlative terms such as: awe-inspiring - fantastic - mesmerizing - outrageous - heavenly - and 'you made the show'. USAviator wrote in it's January, 1995 issue: He is absolutely incredible; a truly phenomenal presence in the airshow biz. Very highly recommended. The grand finale of Manfred's award-winning main act 'The Ultimate' is the spectacular inverted ribbon cut. Performed by a sailplane without the benefit of engine power, this impressive feat leaves the audience in awe and amazement. As a result of his hard work at air shows and his never ending quest for excellence, Manfred is considered to be one of the top airshow performers. In 1989 he was the first recipient of an Excellence in Performance award, presented by the Corn Belt Shrine Club. His skills go far beyond doing a simple air show performance. In 1992 he succeeded in doing the world's first inverted ribbon cut by a sailplane over water. He did it during the Canadian International Air Show, held over Lake Ontario across downtown Toronto. Manfred was featured in television shows such as That's Life, Stuntmasters, Magic in the Air, Skybound and Science of Fun. He performs from coast to coast on this continent and internationally as well. Manfred thrilled large audiences when he performed his daytime and night acts at the Australian International Air Show and Aerospace Expo near Melbourne in 1995, 1997, 1999 and again in 2001. Manfred is a versatile performer. In addition to his sailplane daytime and night acts, he offers a non-aerobatic flying act with his motorized paraglider, and 'The Fan Man', a unique ground act. As 'The Fan Man', Manfred wears a clown outfit and rides a propeller driven bicycle.
Manfred interacts well with the spectators-talking to them and signing autographs. He appreciates them coming to the show, and he understands they are the reason he is here.
A professional performer, Manfred can usually arrive early at the air show to help promote the event and a sponsor. The glider can easily be transported in its trailer to any location in the city and then assembled. A sponsor's logo can be attached to both sides of the glider's cockpit. The elegant looking glider lends itself to be displayed in a mall, hall, a sponsor's show room or other place where it can be seen by many people. Both, the air show and a sponsor would get publicity.
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