Flying Formation!

[Rudy]

Today I was lucky enough to ride in the back of a Nanchung flying formation with other Nanchung and some yaks. Of course I took tons of pictures and here are a few of them.


#1-I was in the back of the lead plane (The Yak is covering up another Nanchung behind it)

#2-We are in lead with the #2 man close

#3-A nanchung shadowed out(I thought this one looked cool)

#4-An interesting visitor to PTS, I was told it was a Piranha.

 

[HPNFlyGirl]

Thats awesome Rudy. Nice pictures too. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Richard]

Nice photos and lucky you! RE: Photo #1: is that what the Russkies consider gear retraction?

 

[gismo]

Nice photos and lucky you! RE: Photo #1: is that what the Russkies consider gear retraction?

Yep. I suspect the idea was to provide the trainees with a gear lever to operate while still providing fixed gear like protection when the students forget. IIRC a Yak 52 goes about 5 Kt faster with the gear up, about what I get for closing my cowl flaps.

 

[John J]

Rudy;


Great photos and I really enjoy reading about your adventures.

John

 

[poadeleted20]

Formation flying is challenging, demanding, exhililrating, and just plain fun if you're willing to make the effort to learn how to do it right. Having trained quite a few folks it this area, my experience is that it does not require Hoover-like skills, just the willingness to work and learn, and the ability to discipline oneself. There's a good article on how to get started on AvWeb. I encourage anyone whose interest is stimulated by Rudy's pictures to contact either Formation Flying Inc. (FFI) for civilian planes or the Formation And Safety Team (FAST) if you fly a warbird.