Aircraft naming ceremony

Just the preparations for this event caused quite a sensation, with the aircraft (over 12 metres in length and 10 metres wide) was winched by crane into the first floor of the jewellery store in front of the curious eyes of thousands of passers-by and tourists on Vienna’s Kärntner Straße.

The “godfather” was Jacques Bothelin, the founder and leader of the Breitling Jet Team, who made a special journey from England for this event. To the applause of the assembled guests, Bothelin named the aircraft “Skyracer”. The evening was presented with great charm and humour by Harry Raithofer, himself a keen flyer and pilot.

The theme of “flying” ran through the whole evening like a red thread: flight controllers were in front of the store directing the way, on entering the guests were received at the “check in” by uniformed stewardesses, the entire store was decorated in accordance with the theme, and films of spectacular flying scenes were shown.