Barbel Abela
Florida Flying
Barbel in her hangar with her Yak55.
Pictured on her Helipad in Florida preparing for a flight lesson. Barbel already holds a British helicopter license and is in the process of adding a rotorcraft rating to her FAA fixed wing certificate.
Barbel's Super Decathlon sitting on the ramp in front of the hangar in Wellington, Florida.
Barbel first started aerobatic training in a two seat Yak-52 with Russian instructor Victor Smolin before flying a single seat Yak-55 to compete Internationally at Intermediate level. She placed 5th in Germany in 1996. Unfortunately, because of family and business resposibilities Barbel was never able to afford the time commitment required to compete at an advanced level. She does, however continue to train " just for fun" in her Yak55 which she shipped to Florida from the UK and painted in German colors. For a more relaxing time, breakfast or lunch, Barbel enjoys flying her Decathlon to one of the many Florida airports where she often meets up with other friends from FD38.
Wayne Haley, Barbel Abela and Nikolay Timofeev (3 time World Aerobatic Champion and Extreme Aerobatic Coach) with her Yak55 in Florida.
On final for runway 15 at FD38.