Warbird Information Exchange

I find it interesting that the seating position is so different between the Yak and the Wildcat. In the Yak photo the top of the pilot's head must be touching the inside of the canopy while in the Wildcat photo the pilot looks like his seat adjustment has slipped so far down that he can barely see out!

or it looks like a Fiat G-46 that needs a weight loss program...

T J

According to the FAA registry it is an Allison V1710 powered Yak-11 with c/n 51-24D

According to the FAA registry it is an Allison V1710 powered Yak-11 with c/n 51-24D

A bit behind the times, please excuse

As a Brit in Florida at the time, Mrs EN830 and I enjoyed Tico, especially the chance to meet Paul Tibbets.

However one thing I would like to know, is there some sort of regulatory restriction on aerobatics, I noticed that the majority of the display was basically a flat tail chase with very little else, except for the TF51. This was something of a surprise to someone use to the displays at Duxford etc….

_________________
Ian

The Yak scares me, just doesn't look right, but then again it's not my money....
Some great pics, any more of the Mustang???

I have a number at home, in formation with an F16 and A10 if I can I'll post this evening.

_________________
Ian

There are better experts on the subject of aerobatics, but from this board and various air shows I've attended, I can safely say there are definite restrictions on aerobatics. I believe the pilot must have the proper credentials to perform aerobatics and there are different degrees. For instance, I've been at air shows where an up and coming aerobat would perform at relatively high altitudes and the announcers stated the pilot was building time to progress to a lower altitude rating.

In the US, the showline is a set distance (I believe 1500 ft) from the crowd line and all aerbatics must be performed so the momentum of the plane will not carry it into the crowd in case of a problem. I've not had the good fortune to attend an UK event yet, but it sure sounds like your airshows might be more exciting than ours. On the other hand, no spectators have been killed or injured at an US airshow since the thirties or possibly before.

If I'm not mistaken, the regulations governing aerobatic displays are roughly similar in the US and the UK, in that the event itself needs a wavier of some form and the pilots need a display authorization for aerobatics.

I think the main difference is one of expections. In the US warbirds are generally not expected to do aerobatics, I've been going to airshows in the US for well over a decade now and can only recall a few where the warbirds flew aeros. From reading this board and others, I have the impression that aeros are very much expected on the other side of the pond, so much so that I have heard some people say they wouldn't go if it were flat passes only.

_________________
Dan Johnson

Frankly, the one display I saw at Duxford years ago was downright scary. A tailchase between two different aircraft that were very low and performing loops without much energy. It looked like one false move (or engine sputter) would cause them to come spinning out of the sky.

I think that the "Bob Hoover" style using energy management is commonly seen in the US. No matter where during flight the engine might fail, there is enough energy available to make a safe landing.

My understanding is that airshows are waivered in the US, as are the pilots performing aerobatics. The aerobatic sequences are also segregated from the fly-bys. Pilots doing the fly-bys don't need any special credentials besides a pilots license. I think there may be some recent requirements for formation flights during shows though.

Those are some nice pictures. I wish I could have been there to see those neat planes.