Mark Sampson

• Date of birth: 24 July 1968
• Team Position: #2 Wingman, Team Media
• Day Job: Captain B744 / B748F Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong)
• Total Flying hours: 12,000
• Number of aircraft rated on: 23 Airplanes & 6 Helicopters
• Age when he started flying: 20
• Flying achievements: Advanced World Aerobatics 2010 Poland - 11th place overall, silver medal for Team South Africa. Represented South Africa at Unlimited World Aerobatics 2011 in Italy. Captain on Boeing 747.

   

Mark Sampson, also known as 'Sammy', grew up in Cape Town. His flying career started with a PPL in 1990 before joining the South African Airforce (SAAF) in 1993 where he trained on the Harvard T6 and flew helicopters for 22 Squadron based in Cape Town. He joined the Airlines in 1997 to fly the DC9 & MD80 for Sun Air, followed by B737-200 for Nationwide. In 2001 he moved to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific where he has flown the B747-400 & B777-200 as First Officer. He is now a Captain on B747-400 and B747-8F.

Sammy joined Team Xtreme Airshows in 2014 flying the XtremeAir XA42 in China. After buying his own XtremeAir XA41 aircraft the well known 2-ship team expanded and became a regular 4-ship display at South African air shows.

Mark says, Formation Aerobatics is the ultimate challenge of teamwork, precision flying and aerobatics. It is hugely satisfying and provides great entertainment and inspiration to spectators of all ages at air shows.

When not flying aerobatics Mark enjoys helicopter flying, motocross / enduro and kite surfing at home in Cape Town!

Aircraft Flown at Air Shows:

• XtremeAir XA41 – Team Xtreme Airshows (RSA)
• XtremeAir XA42 – Team Xtreme (China)