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L-159 offered to Snowbirds - (aerobaticteams.net) 14.Oct.2009
Early this week the Czech authorities offered Canada's Government to buy nine Aero L-159's, to replace the present Snowbirds Tutors, which be retired soon. L-159 is Advanced Light Combat Aircraft built by Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody, and inheritor of famous L-39 Albatross.The L-39 is used by Breitling Jet Team, Russ and some past aerobatic teams such a White Albatrosses. So the offering plane, which have better flying qualities than L-39, is very good possibility to Snowbirds. Canadians still not answer to the offer yet.
Surya Kiran disbandment discussion - (aerobaticteams.net) 14.Oct.2009
Surya Kiran display team maybe going to disbandment after the reorganization in Indian Air Force. The IAF grounded entire fleet of its basic trainer HPT-32, during a lot of crashes and engine failures. So the basic training goes to HJT-16 Kiran, which is used by the IAF's aerobatic team. The decision is not made yet, but there a discussion about this crucial step of Surya Kiran disbandment. We hope that IAF authorities will make the right decision to leave the team alive and enjoyed all the aviation fans.
Pilot error causes a Russian Knights crash on Aug, 16 - (aerobaticteams.net) 15.Oct.2009
Last evidence indicate, that left wingman Col. Vitaly Melnik, flying on Su-27 board number 14, fly through the nose of leader's Su-27UB, while the team assembled after a break maneuver. The four Russian Knight's Su-27 performing practice flight that day together with four Swift's MiG-29. In fact there was be a fifth Su-27, but malfunction after take-off push it to land. After the Russian Knights and Swifts eight-ship practice, the two teams break the formation for their own separate display. The Russian Knights starts its break maneuver, when the leader Col. Igor Tkachenko and Col. Igor Kurilenko flying on two seat Su-27UB board number 18, begin to loop followed by slot plane, while the left and right wing begin to turn. They must be assembled at one point at 1000 meters altitude, but Melnik coming from left too quickly an early at that point hitting with his nozzles the nose and cockpit of the leader's Su-27UB, which nose break from the plane. Melnik's Su-27 nozzle burn in flames and he ejected safely. From the other plane just Kurilenko succeed to eject. Tkachenko, who was at the first cockpit, continue falling together with the plane and strikes the house of the near village. Probably the mid-air strike injured Tkachenko, who lose consciousness and don't attempt to eject. He dies and one woman on ground also dies after few days, because of burn injures.
Snowbirds ends 2009 season on Oct. 23 - (aerobaticteams.net) 17.Oct.2009
The snowbirds officially will end 2009 season on Oct. 23 in airshow dedicated to families of 15 Wing staff, based in Moose Jaw. Snowbirds done 65 airshows in 45 different locations through North America. Snowbirds must begin their displays in May, 2010, while the procedure of new plane seeking is on the way.
Korean Black Eagles equiped with new plane - (aerobaticteams.net) 17.Oct.2009
Korean aerobatic display team Black Eagles, are ready for its new aircraft T-50 Golden Eagle. The team will perform for the first time with this new plane at Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2009) 20 Oct 2009 - 25 Oct 2009. Black Eagles will use eight T-50 in standard colors, overall white, red wingtips and black nose, equipped with wingtip white smoke pods.
T-50 Technical Data:
Length: 43.1 ft / 13.14 m
Height: 16.2 ft / 4.94 m
Wingspan: 31 ft / 9.45 m
Weight (empty): 14,200 lb / 6,454 kg
Maximum Weight: 29,700 lb / 13,500 kg
Engine thrust: 17,700 lb / 8,045 kg
Design load factor: -3/+8 g
Maximum speed: Mach 1.5
Maximum service ceiling: 55,000 ft / 16,764 m
Service life: Up to 10,000 hr
Black Eagles first display with T-50 - (aerobaticteams.net) 20.Oct.2009
The Black Eagles will perform the first demonstration with the new T-50 jet trainer on Oct 24, during Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2009 at Seoul Airport. The second air display of the team will be on Oct 25. Both Demonstrations will began at 10:30 local time. The USAF Thunderbirds also participate at the airshow and fly right after the Black Eagles in same days.
Blue Eagles will disbanded for 2010 season - (aerobaticteams.net) 27.Oct.2009
The Royal Army helicopter display team Blue Eagles will not display at 2010 season. They will temporary disbanded with intention to re-establish again in 2011.
Gooses canceled last 2009 Snowbirds display - (aerobaticteams.net) 24.Oct.2009
The final Snowbirds airshow for 2009 on Friday at Moose Jaw was canceled right after the team's take-off. The commander gives an order to all Snowbirds to land, when he saw nocks of gooses. Safety first!
No more JATO for Fat Albert - (aerobaticteams.net) 30.Oct.2009
The US NAVY Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels is pushed to abandon their support plane take-off performance using solid rocket busters. This is the unique display at the beginning of some Blue Angels air shows. The Fat Albert C-130T use eight solid rocket busters named JATO (Jet Assisted Take Off), for a very short take-off range. These rockets are from Vietnam War era and are very expensive for use, so the NAVY Head Quarter decides to stops Fat Albert's JATO display. The final display will be at Nov 14, but some sources mentioned that Blue Angels just will reduce this dazzling take-off in about 20 each year. There is not official note about this from Blue Angels.
Silver Falcon's passenger eject incidentally - (aerobaticteams.net) 1.Nov.2009
Civilian passenger who flew with South African Air Force aerobatic team Silver Falcons on Wednesday Oct 28 at Langebaanweg Air Force Base, ejected from th back seat of the Pilatus PC-7 Mk. II Astra. Probably he grabs the black and yellow striped handle between his legs and pulled, during some high G maneuver executed by the pilot Captain Gerhard Lourens. Passenger ejected safely and later was brought back to base by a helicopter without a scratch. The plane landed safety too.
The new Chinese J-10 fighter painted in August 1st colors - (aerobaticteams.net) 5.Nov.2009
Its look like the Chinese Air Force has an idea to equip its aerobatic teams August 1st with J-10. For incoming 60th anniversary of National Day military parade in Tiananmen Square at Nov 11, at least one J-10 (F-10) is painted in August 1st colors. Probably this fighter will participate together with August 1st F-7 EB aircrafts. (Thanks to Northern Dancer)
Red Arrows will move to new home base Waddington - (aerobaticteams.net) 5.Nov.2009
In 2011 the RAF aerobatic team Red Arrows is planed to move to new home at Waddington Air Base, Lincolnshire. There will be a new administrative building and hangar for the team, which must be build until 2011.
Blue Angels final shows on 13 & 14 Nov - (aerobaticteams.net) 12.Nov.2009
Blue Angels end 2009 with homecoming airshow at Pensacola Naval Air Station on 13 & 14 Nov. Despite the tropical storm Ida, passed through Pensacola beach on Tuesday, the team will perform at 2pm each day. The pilots who flies for a last time with Blue Angels are: #2 LCDR Paul Brantuas, #4 Lt Mark Swinger and #5 Maj Nathan Miller. These F-18 demonstration pilots will be replaced with new ones.
Woman became Red Arrows demonstration pilot - (aerobaticteams.net) 13.Nov.2009
Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Moore, 32, become the first Red Arrows pilot. She officially assigned as demonstration pilot and begins practice flights with the team. She joined the RAF in 1998 after studying aeronautical engineering at Imperial College London. She has completed two operational tours of Iraq with a Tornado squadron based at RAF Marham in Norfolk. Kirsty Moore is married to Navy Lieutenant Nicky Moore, 34, the couple's careers have prevented them from living together for four years. Recently she is a flying instructor at RAF Valley in Wales. She will take up the position of Red Three, just to the left of Red One, which is occupied by Squadron Leader Ben Murphy.
Two new Snowbirds pilots - (aerobaticteams.net) 16.Nov.2009
Two new demonstration pilots joined to Snowbirds completed their training and will begin performing with the team during the 2010 show season. They are Captains Jean-Francois Dupont, Snowbird Two - Right Wing, and Yanick Gregoire, Snowbird Four - Line Astern. They replaced respectively Capt Claude Rivard and Capt Marco Rusconi.
August 1st still flying with F-7 (J-7) - (aerobaticteams.net) 16.Nov.2009
Chinese PLA Air Force (PLA- Peoples Liberation Army) aerobatic team August 1st still flies with F-7 fighters, despite the resent news releases that they will equip with J-10 for the PLA 60th Anniversary Airshow held at Shahe Military Airport, Beijing. At that show the team flies with six J-7 aircrafts, while other four-ship J-10 formation represent the new Chinese manufactured fighter. The PLA authorities hope to equip the team with new fighter in the near future, but exactly when is not known yet.
Thunderbirds 2010 Officers - (aerobaticteams.net) 25.Nov.2009
Here are the 2010 season officers:
Commander/Leader - Lt. Col. Case Cunningham
Left Wing - Maj. John Baum
Right Wing - Capt. Chad Shenk
Slot - Maj. Sean Gustafson
Lead Solo - Maj. Rick Goodman
Opposing Solo - Capt. Aaron Jelinek
Operations Officer - Lt. Col. Derek Routt
Advance Pilot/Narrator - Maj. John Gallemore
Flight Surgeon - Capt. Thomas Bowden
Red Arrows 2010 pilots - (aerobaticteams.net) 18.Nov.2009
We already know the names of the 2010 Red Arrows' pilots:
RED 1 - Officer Commanding and Team Leader - Sqn Ldr Ben Murphy
RED 2 - Flt Lt Ben Plank
RED 3 - Flt Lt Kirsty Moore
RED 4 - Flt Lt Dave Davies
RED 5 - Flt Lt Zane Sennett
RED 6 - Flt Lt Mike Ling
RED 7 - Flt Lt David Montenegro
RED 8 - Sqn Ldr Graham Duff
RED 9 - Flt Lt Simon Rea
RED 10 and Road Manager - Sqn Ldr Graeme Bagnall
Blue Angels, Thunderbirds and Snowbirds announced their 2010 schedules - (aerobaticteams.net) 08.Dec.2009
Blue Angels, Thunderbirds and Snowbirds announced their 2010 schedules. Blue Angels announced 2011 schedule also to allow show sites more time for planning, advertising and fund-raising. See our SCHEDULES page.
Surya Kirans demonstration on 21 January - (aerobaticteams.net) 11.Dec.2009
Indian Air Force aerobatic team Surya Kirans will perform at Tiruchirapalli Airport, India on 21 January. The airshow will begin at 2p.m.
An Evening With First Woman Thunderbird Pilot - (aerobaticteams.net) 18.Dec.2009
Watch an interview with first woman Thunderbird pilot Maj. Nicole Malachowski at Smithsonian museum. She explain in detail its aviation career. Watch Video