Aerobatics is the demonstration of extreme and daring flying maneuvers for training, sport, recreation or entertainment which requires extraordinary skill and highly extensive training.
The Frecce Tricolori aerobatics team of the Italian Air Force, flying at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford, Gloucestershire, England.
Many aerobatic maneuvers involve rotation of the aircraft about its longtitudinal axis (rolling) or the pitch axis (looping). Some complicated maneuvers such as a spin also require that the aircraft be displaced around a vertical axis called yawing. Maneuvers are typically combined, demanding a superior level of skill from the pilot.
Some pilots fly solely for recreation, while a smaller number — several hundred world-wide — compete in aerobatic competitions. Competitions begin at Primary or Graduate level and proceed in complexity through Sportsman, Intermediate and Advanced, with Unlimited as the topmost competition level. Unlimited pilots perform much more complex figures and sustain higher g levels.
The BAE Hawks of the RAF Red Arrows display team, flying in Concorde formation, commemorating the retirement of the Concorde passenger jet.In the early days of flying, some pilots used their aircraft as part of a flying circus to entertain. Maneuvers that had no practical purpose were flown for artistic reasons or to shock spectators. Some of these maneuvers enabled aircraft to gain tactical advantage during aerial combat or dogfights between fighter aircraft.
Aerobatic aircraft generally fall into 2 categories — specialist aerobatic, and aerobatic capable. Specialist designs such as the Pitts Special, the Extra 200 and 300, and the Sukhoi Su-29 strive for ultimate aerobatic performance. At a more basic level, aerobatic capable aircraft can be dual purpose — equipped to carrying passengers and luggage, easy to land, and being capable of basic aerobatic figures.
Flight formation aerobatics are flown by teams of up to 16 aircraft, although most teams fly between 4 and 10. Some are state funded to reflect pride in the armed forces while others are commercially sponsored.
Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran during an aerobatic demonstration.Colored smoke trails are emitted at times to emphasize the patterns flown or the colors of a national flag. Teams frequently fly V-formations. They will not fly directly behind one another due to dangers from wake vortices or engine exhaust — flying slightly below the aircraft in front if they follow in line.
Aerobatic maneuvers flown in a jet powered aircraft are limited, as they cannot make the most of the gyroscopic forces that a propeller driven aircraft can perform. Jet powered aircraft also fly much faster which increases the size of the figures and the length of time which the pilot has to withstand increased g-forces. Jet aerobatic teams often fly in formations which further restricts the maneuvers that can be safely flown.
Training
Military fighter pilots are taught aerobatics as a means to develop precise flying skills and tactical use in combat. But aerobatics and formation flying isn’t solely limited to fixed wing aircraft — the British Army, Royal Navy and the Indian Air Force — known as Sarang or Peacock — use helicopters for their helicopter display team.
Aerobatics by Sarang helicopter formation display team.All aerobatic maneuvers demand far-reaching training and practice to avoid accidents. Accidents are rare but often result in fatalities. Safety regulations are so stringent that there has not been an airshow-spectator fatality in the US since the 1950’s. Low-level aerobatics are extremely demanding and air show pilots must demonstrate their ability before being allowed to gradually reduce the height at which they’re permitted to fly their performance.
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Canadian Snowbirds
These 9 pilots put on a spectacular air show demo.
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Glenn Pew takes you inside the mind of an airshow performer and rides along through tight formation and opposing flight maneuvers.
Sarong Helicopter Display Team
This helicopter display team is one of its kind in the world, a part of the Indian Air Force. They fly the Advanced Light Helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
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