Emma McDonald flies at the centre of a formation. (Supplied: Pacific Airshow)<\/p>\n
Gold Coast pilot Emma McDonald may have a fear of heights, but she never feels more at home than when she's spinning through the sky in an aeroplane.<\/p>\n
"If you stick me on top of a building without a rail, unless I've got wings strapped to me \u2014 that's actually my little secret," she said.<\/p>\n
Emma McDonald is the only female performer at the Pacific Airshow. (Supplied: Pacific Airshow)<\/p>\n
Travelling up to 400 kilometres per hour, at an acceleration 10 times the normal force of gravity (or 10Gs), Ms McDonald is one of the best stunt pilots in the industry.<\/p>\n
She loves to flip aeroplanes end over end, fly into a vertical position and upside down for fun.<\/p>\n
"I grew up in a family of pilots, so we'll have to blame my dad, he was an aerobatic display pilot as well," she said.<\/p>\n
Emma McDonald is one of the best stunt pilots in the industry. (Supplied: Pacific Airshow)<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald is the only woman to show off her skills at this year's Pacific Airshow, which has returned to the Gold Coast this weekend after a year-long hiatus.<\/p>\n
"Being the only one out there, I hope to inspire more girls to have a go," she said.<\/p>\n
Huge crowds attended this year's air show. (Supplied: Pacific Airshow)<\/p>\n
The international event, which bills itself as Australia's largest air show, also featured its first jet suit demonstration, with two pilots flying and spinning over the ocean, powered by small engines mounted on their backs and arms.<\/p>\n
Paul Jones, pilot and lead flight instructor at the UK-based Gravity Industries, said it was "surreal" to soar through the air with crowds watching.<\/p>\n
"It's mega to be here on the Gold Coast," he said.<\/p>\n
"We've been trying to do this for a couple of years and fortunately, we've been able to make it happen."<\/p>\n