Dario Costa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dario Costa
Dario Costa press conference Challenger Cup Lake Balaton 2019
Born	9 May 1980 (1980-05-09) (age 45) Manchester, United Kingdom
Nationality	Italian

Dario Costa was born on May 9, 1980, in Manchester, United Kingdom. He is an Italian professional pilot known for his amazing flying skills. Dario has competed in the Red Bull Air Race, performed incredible stunts, and is a flight instructor.

He is the first Italian pilot to ever qualify, compete, and win in the Red Bull Air Race World Series. Dario lives in Salzburg, Austria. He is also famous for setting world records and performing unique flying stunts. One of his most famous stunts was flying an airplane through a tunnel!

Dario's Early Life and Flying Journey

Dario Costa spent his early childhood traveling around North Africa. This is where he first developed his love for flying. When he was six, his family moved to Bologna, Italy.

He started learning to fly while still in high school. In 1996, at just 16 years old, he flew an airplane by himself for the first time. To earn money, Dario worked as a gardener, swimming pool cleaner, and postman. Later, he taught flying theory at his club.

After winning a special scholarship, he earned his commercial pilot license. He also became a flight instructor and an aerobatic flight instructor. This meant he could teach others how to fly and perform cool tricks in the air.

Becoming a Red Bull Air Race Pilot

Dario taught and competed in aerobatics, which is flying airplanes to perform stunts. In 2011, he helped organize the FAI World Aerobatic Championships. He also became a main instructor at the Aeroclub Milano.

In October 2013, Dario joined the Red Bull Air Race World Championship team. He helped manage flights and test new planes. In 2016, he became the first Italian to qualify as a race pilot for the Red Bull Air Race.

Dario Costa winning the Red Bull Air Race Challenger Cup in Lake Balaton, 2019

In 2018, Dario started competing in the Red Bull Air Race Challenger Cup. He was the first Italian to join this exciting motorsport. He quickly showed his talent, finishing on the podium in his second race. In 2019, he won the Challenger Cup in Lake Balaton.

Amazing Stunts and World Records

Dario Costa is known for many incredible flying stunts and world records.

• In 2017, he was the first airplane pilot to fly in sync with a freestyle skier. This amazing stunt was part of a Lamborghini advertisement.
• In July 2018, Dario became the first civilian pilot to have an air-to-air photo shoot over Venice, Italy. He also performed a Red Bull Air Race demo at the Farnborough International Airshow.
• In March 2019, he flew low-level racing moves over the Namib Desert for a Hamilton Watch ad.
• In 2019, Dario performed a barrel roll in formation with a helicopter. He also flew multiple barrel rolls around wingsuit skydivers.
• In September 2019, he performed at Airpower, one of Europe's biggest airshows.
• In June 2020, Dario flew his modified Zivko Edge 540 plane in the Red Bull movie "Drum the Bull."
• In July 2020, he was the first pilot to fly low along the entire Red Bull Ring racetrack for a video.
• In 2020, Dario performed as an opening act for F1 and MotoGP races, and the World Rally Championship. He was the first pilot to do this for all three in the same year.
• In October 2020, he flew in sync with a dancer for the Red Bull BC One break dance competition.
• On September 4, 2021, Dario flew through two tunnels on the Northern Marmara Motorway in Istanbul. This made him the first pilot to fly through a tunnel and earned him a Guinness World Record for the longest tunnel flown by an airplane.
• In May 2022, he performed in another Lamborghini ad for the Huracan Tecnica car.
• In September 2022, Dario flew in sync with high divers in Polignano a Mare, Italy. He positioned his plane vertically next to divers jumping from 27 meters high.
• In September 2023, Dario became the first pilot to fly a slalom between moving boats. He flew between two AC40 boats from the America's Cup teams.
• In 2024, Dario became the first Italian and youngest person to win the Living Legends of Aviation "Bob Hoover - Freedom of Flight" award.
• In January 2025, Dario Costa achieved his 17th aviation world first. He became the first to fly an airplane down a ski slope from start to finish. This happened on the Streif ski course in Kitzbühel, Austria, which is known as one of the hardest ski courses in the world.

Other Interesting Facts

For almost ten years, Dario played baseball for Fortitudo Baseball Bologna. He played in Italian regional and national championships until 1996. He mostly played as a second baseman and pitcher. His baseball uniform number was 32, which is the same number he uses as a race pilot today.

In late 2020, Dario worked as a stuntman for the movie Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One in Rome.

Awards and Achievements

Dario Costa has received many awards for his incredible flying career:

• In 2024, he received the "Bob Hoover - Freedom of Flight" award from the Living Legends of Aviation.
• In 2022, his "Tunnel Pass" project won ten awards, including Clio awards, New York Festivals awards, Golden Drum awards, Effie awards, and an Art Directors Club of Europe award.
• In 2021, he earned a Guinness World Record for the first and longest tunnel flight by an airplane.
• In 2015, the Italian Olympic Committee awarded him the "Medal for athletic prowess."
• In 2018, a picture of Dario flying over Venice was featured in "The best images in sport" by The Sunday Times.
• In 2019, the Italian region Emilia Romagna honored him for his sports achievements.

Film and Video Appearances

Dario Costa has been featured in several films and videos, often showcasing his amazing flying skills:

Competition Results

Italian National Powered Aerobatic Championship

Red Bull Air Race Challenger Class

Year	1	2	3	4	5	Podiums	Wins
2018	4th	3rd	5th	5th	5th	1	0
2019	5th	1st	2nd	CAN	CAN	2	1

Legend: * CAN: Cancelled * DNP: Did not participate * DNS: Did not start * DSQ: Disqualified

Other Fun Facts About Dario

For almost ten years, Dario played baseball for the Fortitudo Baseball Bologna team. He played in Italian championships until 1996. He was mostly a second baseman and a pitcher. His baseball uniform number was 32, which is the same number he uses as a race pilot!

In October and November 2020, Dario worked as a stuntman for the movie Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One in Rome.