GLEN DELL is one of the world’s top aerobatic pilots. But you wouldn’t think that from his calm demeanour, at least not if your idea of an aerobatic pilot comes from Hollywood movies.

Dell is the antithesis of the hypermacho personality embodied in films such as Top Gun. Which is not to say he’s not masculine or virile – he’s certainly the former and I can’t vouch for the latter other than the clear blue glint in his eyes – but simply put, Dell is a gentleman, not an out-of-control egomaniac. Tom Cruise might have been very sexy in his flying gear, but I’d much rather have Dell’s calm and precise energy at the controls behind me when I’m plummeting straight down towards Earth at 380km per hour.