The Ultimate Jet Warbird

[Nathan]

Paul Allen will buy one!

[tex-fan]

wow, what a plane, hope someone buys it and FLYS it, a lot,,,, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SU-27 has the unit cost at $35 million, $4.9 is a BIG savings.... still a ton more than i have, but i'm sure someone has it, and wants a "SCREAMER"

[HogDriver44]

Here's the latest on the Sukhois. We've been carrying out regular engine and systems checks, including some full-power runs, and brief checks of the afterburners.

A YouTube video has been posted of one of these tests:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9By6bPn3DM

Nothing like scorching and flattening several acres of grass in seconds...

[vernicator]

Awesome video footage. Looks like you had fun that day.

[Robbie Roberts]

Man, I could just see busting a TFR or the DC SFRA in THOSE... They fly onto your wing, A quick loop back maneuver, and tag on their tail... Oh boy would it be fun for a few minutes! Until the ones WITH missiles use them...

LOL

RObbie

[davidbray]

That is an awesome video. How are the plans coming for the first flights? If that information is available I'd love to be able to make the plans to come out and see em fly.

[p51]

The only thing that shocks me about this is that they got here legally. I know of a few earlier MIGs that got into the country that were immediately impounded for messed up importation paperwork (or none at all). “Frequently Annoying Aviators” have turned down several jet MIGs over the years. I guess these guys got everything squared away!
What blows me away is that it wasn’t that long ago that nobody from the West had gotten within a few yards of one of these (still have some intel photos of them from the days of the “Evil Empire” when they were still a mystery), now they’re for sale in the heartland of the US.

[67Cougar]

The link to Pride's Flanker page is not valid. I visited their site, and there doesn't seem to be a page for it. There is a NEWS tab for SU-27, but it's not an active link. Any idea why they've pulled the info and pics?

[haavarla]

The link to Pride's Flanker page is not valid. I visited their site, and there doesn't seem to be a page for it. There is a NEWS tab for SU-27, but it's not an active link. Any idea why they've pulled the info and pics?

Yeah strange indeed.
And a follow up question, what relationship do this
http://www.tacticalairsupport.com/HOME.html
company have with the Prides aircraft company?

Is it the one and same company, a sub company or is it two sister company?
Its the same two Flankers in their home pages.


Thanks

[jet1]

The link to Pride's Flanker page is not valid. I visited their site, and there doesn't seem to be a page for it. There is a NEWS tab for SU-27, but it's not an active link. Any idea why they've pulled the info and pics?

Yeah strange indeed.
And a follow up question, what relationship do this
http://www.tacticalairsupport.com/HOME.html
company have with the Prides aircraft company?

Is it the one and same company, a sub company or is it two sister company?
Its the same two Flankers in their home pages.


Thanks

I'd sure like to see one of those bad boys at Reno next year!

[HogDriver44]

The link to Pride's Flanker page is not valid. I visited their site, and there doesn't seem to be a page for it. There is a NEWS tab for SU-27, but it's not an active link.

Sorry folks, here's the direct link to the Su-27 Flanker page and photos:

http://www.prideaircraft.com/flanker.htm

...and since you've all been patient, here's a new video of some NIGHT afterburner runs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df3vW5HsPlc

To answer a previous question, Pride Aircraft is the importer and sole broker for the airplanes, and also did the avionics and cockpit retrofits. In addition, Pride will be the major maintenance support facility in North America for the aircraft, with complete factory technical support and parts inventory.

The aircraft are NOT owned by the other company mentioned in this thread. Both aircraft are currently for sale.

Sorry for any confusion. This endeavor has been very complicated, and occassionally, some bad info gets out there. (You ought to hear what some of the local media have said on the 6 o'clock news...)

I'll be sure to post here as we approach the first flights.

Last edited by HogDriver44 on Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

[warbird1]

A few questions for you Buck:

1) I noticed that each time you guys did an engine run, the exhaust is always over grass. Is that something the airport authority makes you do, so you don't create heat damage on the tarmac?

2) Related to the first question - since the engine runs always appear to be over grass, does the airport make you guys have a fire engine around each time there are engine runs? It seems like they have been in most of the videos on youtube.

3) What will the ejection seat capabilities be once you guys put a "Western" seat in her?

4) Has the FAA placed any operating restrictions on the Flankers once they are fully certificated, i.e. - must be flown within a certain radius of the home drome, not to be flown over densely populated areas, max speed limits, etc.?

5) Has there been any "peace protesters" or calls for "ridding this instrument of war away" from the liberal crowd there?

[haavarla]

The link to Pride's Flanker page is not valid. I visited their site, and there doesn't seem to be a page for it. There is a NEWS tab for SU-27, but it's not an active link.

Sorry folks, here's the direct link to the Su-27 Flanker page and photos:

http://www.prideaircraft.com/specialproject.htm

...and since you've all been patient, here's a new video of some NIGHT afterburner runs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df3vW5HsPlc

To answer a previous question, Pride Aircraft is the importer and sole broker for the airplanes, and also did the avionics and cockpit retrofits. In addition, Pride will be the major maintenance support facility in North America for the aircraft, with complete factory technical support and parts inventory.

The aircraft are NOT owned by the other company mentioned in this thread. Both aircraft are currently for sale.

Sorry for any confusion. This endeavor has been very complicated, and occassionally, some bad info gets out there. (You ought to hear what some of the local media have said on the 6 o'clock news...)

I'll be sure to post here as we approach the first flights.

Thx a lot for the update HogDriver44

I think this is THE most exciting warbird news ever!
It just incredible that this is taking place, and one can indeed understand that this deal must have been tons of work(paper work & maintanace issues).

Great work Pride's!
I wish i had Bill Gates credit card



Thanks

[HogDriver44]

1) I noticed that each time you guys did an engine run, the exhaust is always over grass. Is that something the airport authority makes you do, so you don't create heat damage on the tarmac??

Yeah, it's just a lot easier on the airport infrastructure. The grass grows back quickly, but normal asphalt/concrete wouldn't stand for that kind of abuse for long. The pad we use is out of the way of airport traffic and just happens to have a lot of grass around.

2) Related to the first question - since the engine runs always appear to be over grass, does the airport make you guys have a fire engine around each time there are engine runs??

The fire crews prefer to be there just in case of a grass fire, and also because they naturally like to be on hand for any fires on the airport property. An afterburner is essentially a large, very loud blowtorch, so that's right up their alley. But mostly, I think they just want to watch and listen to that sucker from up close, just like everyone else!

3) What will the ejection seat capabilities be once you guys put a "Western" seat in her??

Both aircraft have the stock seats, with zero-zero capabilities (zero feet and zero knots). If there's one thing the Eastern Bloc did really, really well, it's ejection seats. The seats are freshly overhauled, just like the rest of the airframes and engines.

4) Has the FAA placed any operating restrictions on the Flankers once they are fully certificated, i.e. - must be flown within a certain radius of the home drome, not to be flown over densely populated areas, max speed limits, etc.??

Like all other jet warbirds in the U.S., the Sukhois will not be "certificated," they will be licensed. (Sorry to be so picky with the terminology, but those two words have very specific meanings when it comes to aircraft.) They will be assigned a set of operating restrictions that are in compliance with the FAA's current guidelines. The former 600-nautical mile operating radius that all jet warbirds were once assigned can now be eliminated with some paperwork, so that's not an issue. The "densely-populated area" restriction always applies to Experimental aircraft. As far as speed limits go: Like MiG-21s, F-100s, F-104s, T-38s, F-5s and other supersonic warbird aircraft, there will be restrictions on speeds. There are places and times for everything, and waivers can be written, based on operational necessity. For instance, the FAA routinely waives the "250-knots below 10,000 feet" speed limit for aircraft whose maneuvering speed (Va) is greater than 250.

I suspect the Su-27s will get waived up to 350 KIAS or so, similar to MiG-21s. Above 10,000', the limit in U.S. territorial airspace is Mach 0.999 -- again, unless you get a waiver. These particular aircraft are, of course, uniquely suited for all kinds of government contract work and civilian special projects, so any future owners will likely be able to get waivers for just about anything when needed.

5) Has there been any "peace protesters" or calls for "ridding this instrument of war away" from the liberal crowd there?

Nope, not at all. I think local residents recognize that these are just jet warbirds, like all the others that have been based here for many years. Besides, Illinois is a red state that happens to contain a huge blue city named Chicago. Rockford residents tend to show up for these engine runs with lawn chairs and beer. And signs that say "Jet Noise - the Sound of Freedom."

[davidbray]

Nope, not at all. I think local residents recognize that these are just jet warbirds, like all the others that have been based here for many years. Besides, Illinois is a red state that happens to contain a huge blue city named Chicago. Rockford residents tend to show up for these engine runs with lawn chairs and beer. And signs that say "Jet Noise - the Sound of Freedom."

I really wish I still worked at that place across the field right now. I'd have to show up early for work just to see those burners glowing bright.