Matt is the reigning Red Bull Air Race world champion and former Royal Australian Air Force top gun fighter pilot. Matt placed third in his world championship racing debut in 2009 and has since accumulated seven wins and 25 podiums, making him the most successful air racing pilot in the modern era.
Full name: Matthew David Hall
Date of Birth: 16 September 1971
Place of Birth: Scone, NSW, Australia
Current residence: Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Family: wife Pedita, son Mitchell, stepson Cameron and stepdaughter Amelia
Usual race weight: 69 kgs
Height: 173cm
Started flying: age 15 years
Previous jobs: RAAF Fighter Pilot, Fighter Combat Instructor
Military rank: Wing Commander
Red Bull Air Race debut: 2009 (3rd overall)
Red Bull Air Race best result: 2019 (1st)
Role model: Nigel Lamb
Aviation mentors: Bob Hoover, Sean Tucker, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith
Favourite place to race: Australia
Favourite place to vacation: Australia (home!!)
Favourite food: Curry
Favourite drink: Water, white wine
Favourite music: 80’s rock
Music right before you fly: Guns ‘n’ Roses
Three people I’d like to meet: Bon Jovi, Elon Musk, Natasha Romanoff
In three words describe the Red Bull Air Race: Spectacular, exciting, professional
2019 CHAMPIONSHIP: 1st
1st Balaton, Hungary
2nd Kazan, Russia
3rd Chiba, Japan
2018 CHAMPIONSHIP: 2nd
1st Cannes, France
1st Chiba, Japan
3rd Budapest, Hungary
3rd Wiener Neustadt, Austria
2nd Fort Worth, USA
2017 CHAMPIONSHIP: 6th
2nd Lausitz, Germany
3rd Porto, Portugal
2016 CHAMPIONSHIP: 2nd
1st Ascot, England
1st Lausitz, Germany
3rd Budapest, Hungary
2015 CHAMPIONSHIP: 2ND
1st Spielberg, Austria
1st Las Vegas, USA
2nd Abu Dhabi, UAE
2nd Chiba, Japan
2nd Ascot, England
2nd Dallas Fort Worth, USA
3rd Rovinj, Croatia
2014 CHAMPIONSHIP: 7TH
3rd Putrajaya, Malaysia
3rd Gdynia, Poland
2013 CHAMPIONSHIP:
Biography The Sky Is Not The Limit
2010 CHAMPIONSHIP: 7TH
2nd Perth, Australia
3rd Lausitz, Germany
2009 CHAMPIONSHIP: 3RD
3rd Porto, Portugal
2007-09 Manager Air Control Operations, Department of Defence
2007-09 Promoted to Wing Commander of RAAF
2007-09 Won Freestyle section of Unlimited competition – Australian National Aerobatic Championships
2006-07 Executive Manager, Department of Defence
2006-07 Category A - Fighter Combat Instructor
2006-07 RAAF Commendation
2005-06 Course Director, Department of Defence
2003 Aerial Achievement Medal -USAF
2003 Air Medal – USAF
2003 Air Medal First Clasp – USAF
2003 Australian Active Service Medal
2003 USAF Exchange Officer, Department of Defence
1999-01 Fighter Combat Instructor
1999 Dux Fighter Combat Instructor Course -Top Gun
1994 Dux Basic Fighter Pilot Course
Matt Hall is a third generation pilot and has a long history in the air. Beginning flying with his dad from an early age, Matt his first solo flight at age 15 in a glider, before gaining his aircraft pilot’s licence at the age of 18.
Now licensed in gliders, ultralights, hang gliders, powered aircraft, helicopters and military jets, Matt holds over 7500 hours in various aircraft types.
