GB1 Gamebird

This new two-seater excels at more than just aerobatics. We put it through its paces with aerobatic phenom Rob Holland.

- Pia Bergqvist

It’s not often nowadays that a new airplane design has the potential to be a total game changer. But I would argue that German airplane designer Philipp Steinbach has created just that, at least for pilots who like to challenge their stick-and-rudder skills or “keep the green side up,” so to speak. Steinbach’s new, versatile aerobatic airplane, called the GB1 GameBird, is well on its way to receiving EASA and FAA certification. It incorporates many innovative features that make it an efficient cross country airplane with aerobatic capabilities that have impressed the likes of freestyle world aerobatic champion Rob Holland.

I had a chance to fly with Holland out of Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, during this year’s EAA AirVenture to experience the edge of the GameBird’s flight envelope. I can tell you that it was one heck of a ride. We started out with aileron rolls at 180 knots to get a feel for the airplane. At the end of the flight, we had rolled the airplane at zero airspeed and 230 knots of airspeed, and put it through some maneuvers I’ve never experienced before.