Su-27 Flanker Update

[haavarla]

This is just uber Fantastic!
A huge congratulation for you folks over at Pride's



Thanks

[Iclo]

Congratulations to all the team involved. It's a huge task done.

[flyride]

The arrival looks like a checkride profile to me.

Congratulations to all involved, this is truly awesome!

[K5DH]

I just watched the video. I wonder how long this silly grin on my face is gonna last. . .

[Ztex]

Hard to say anything other than WOW!

Fan-freaking-tastic!

[dors]

She gets up in hurry! I love the WW2 prop warbirds, but WOW!!!! How can you not be impressed with this. Awesome job to all involved. Hope I can see it up close at an airshow.

[Stoney]

Steve "Puck" Kirik, at the controls

[Dasher]

Steve "Puck" Kirik, at the controls

I thought it was the Ukrainian Pilot.

[haavarla]

HogDriver44 can i humbly request if it is possible for anyone over at Pride to add a short story on how the pilots first flights experience felt in those Flankers, if possible on the Pride Flanker pages?
Without revealing any personal background that is.

Or perhaps on a some other blog page?
It would indeed prove to be an interesting story, just to read about the different handling experience vs some of the western counterparts and so on.

Perhaps it could add some good advertising for those two Flankers on sales too
I realise it must be quite busy days for you all, so all in good time of course.

Edit:
Hell come to think about it, you folks should sell a story to some of the Aviation Magazines out there.
Air-International or perhaps call Jamie Hunter, Editor in Combat Aircraft Monthly, and offer him a ride.
I'm pretty sure its an offer he can't refuse

http://www.combataircraft.net/reports/norway.php

Edit: Ah never mind..
I see you are using AirshowStuff for Promotion & exposure. Good chooice.




Thanks

Last edited by haavarla on Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

[HogDriver44]

The latest news release on the Su-27 Flanker(s):

Flanker N131SU flew the final flight of its required 5-hour "Phase 1" test restrictions today. The Phase 1 restrictions have been lifted, and it can now be operated in compliance with a new, standard set of jet warbird Operating Limits.

Shortly after this flight, Pride Aircraft's Chief Pilot, Steve "Puck" Kirik, successfully took an FAA checkride with John Penney and became the first holder of a Su-27 Experimental Aircraft Authorization.

The entire team at Pride has worked like crazy for many months to accomplish this. I have personally heard people snicker that it would never, ever happen, but it just goes to show you what desire and determination can do. I'm really happy to be a part of that group.

I really have no definite information on when or where this aircraft (or its sister ship) will be seen next. There are no plans yet for public flying displays of any kind. A lot will depend on who buys them and what their intentions are, obviously.

The second aircraft (Nose #32) will soon become the focus of a similar test program.

Photos and videos are available at http://www.prideaircraft.com/flanker.htm.

[warbird1]

Excellent Buck! Did John Penney actually fly in the aircraft during the checkride, or did he observe from the ground or a chase aircraft?

[HogDriver44]

Excellent Buck! Did John Penney actually fly in the aircraft during the checkride, or did he observe from the ground or a chase aircraft?

He was in the back seat, and probably yelling "yahooooo" the whole flight. He got some stick-time, and from the post-landing smile on his face, it looked like he loved it.

It was neat hearing his comments on some of the handling details of the aircraft. His test background gave me some interesting insights.