Aircraft Handling Aerobatics and Formation Flying Lecture Seven

Aerobatics Used to manoeuvre into a favourable firing position, or to avoid the guns of enemy aircraft. Give pilots confidence in handling aircraft. They gain experience at operating in different attitudes. Pilots become accustomed to the high strains and stress of combat flying.

Aerobatics Before any aerobatic flying, a pilot must carry out his HASELL checks: Height – sufficient to complete manoeuvre. H Airframe – Flaps and U/C A UP, Airbrakes IN. S Security – Equipment stowed, harness locked & tight. Engine – Temperatures, pressures & fuel sufficient. E Location – Airfields, built-up areas controlled airspace. L Lookout – clear of other aircraft & cloud (↔ & ↕) L

Aerobatics As you should already know, an aircraft can be manoeuvred in three planes: Pitching plane Rolling plane Yawing plane

Aerobatics The simplest aerobatic manoeuvre in the pitching plane is the loop. Pitching plane

Aerobatics Pilot aligns with linear feature – road, rail Drop nose to increase speed Keep wings level Pull up until horizon disappears, looking overhead for new horizon

Aerobatics The simplest aerobatic manoeuvre in the rolling plane is the barrel roll. Rolling plane

Aerobatics Drop nose to increase speed Pick point above horizon (cloud) Roll 45° away from banking direction Roll in banking direction, with nose of aircraft pointing at point on horizon

Aerobatics In the yawing plane the only basic manoeuvre is the Stall Turn. Yawing plane

Aerobatics Nose up to 90°, decreasing speed Apply rudder before wing stalls. Aircraft falls sideways until nose is pointing down Speed increases, round out at the bottom.

Aerobatics There are other manoeuvres. . . As a barrel roll, but slower. The Slow Roll off the Top ½ loop followed by barrel roll or slow roll at the top.

Aerobatics There are other manoeuvres. . . ½ Roll and Pull Through Barrel roll or slow roll followed by a ½ loop

Aerobatics There are other manoeuvres. . . The Derry Turn As half roll & pull through, but roll out as vertically downward.

Aerobatics There are other manoeuvres. . . The Derry Turn A roll flown while inverted. and continues through the inverted position Roll starts

Aerobatics There are other manoeuvres. . . The Upward Roll Pull up vertically, roll keeping the wings straight. Often ends with stall turn.

Aerobatics There are other manoeuvres. . . Aileron Turn A roll flown vertically downward.

Aerobatics There are other manoeuvres. . . Hesitation Roll Either a 4 or 8 point roll, stopping briefly every 45° or 90°

Aerobatics There are other manoeuvres. . . Vertical Eight A ½ roll off the top, a full loop and a ½ roll and pull through.

Aerobatics There are other manoeuvres. . . Horizontal Eight Cuban Eight A loop and a ½ roll, followed by another loop and ½ roll A full roll on the first loop and ½ roll into the second loop.

Inverted Flight Aircraft flying inverted appear to be flying with the nose well above the horizon. α Aircraft wings are less efficient inverted, so a higher angle of attack is required for inverted straight and level flight.

Formation Flying The RAF’s definition of formation flying is: ‘An ordered arrangement of two or more aircraft proceeding together as an element. ’ There are two types of formation flying: Close Used for Take-off & Landing Cloud penetration Show & Display flying Tactical Used for all tactical fighter operations

Formation Flying There are five standard section formations: The VIC formation Think of the ‘V’ in Vic and invert it. 1 3 2

Formation Flying There are five standard section formations: The ECHELON formation 1 2 3

Formation Flying There are five standard section formations: LINE ABREAST 3 1 2

Formation Flying There are five standard section formations: LINE ASTERN 1 2 3

Formation Flying There are five standard section formations: The BOX formation 1 3 2 4

Formation Flying There are five standard section formations: Line Astern 1 1 3 3 2 2 Box formation VIC formation 1 4 2 Echelon formation 3 3 1 2 Line Abreast 1 2 3

Formation Technique Close Formation Flying Technique Relative speed – Air Speed Indicator (ASI) is the only method of judging speed Apparent size – using the size of objects to judge distance – 6 miles to 3 miles isn’t obvious, but 1 mile to ½ mile is. Distance – Tendency to underestimate, comes with practise & experience

Formation Technique Changes are always small & smooth Longitudinal changes use throttle & elevators Lateral changes use ailerons Vertical changes use elevators A clean aircraft: Accelerates quickly Decelerates slowly Acceleration is often poor at low speed in jet aircraft

Check Understanding The pilot uses a mnemonic to remember to carry out his checks. What is the mnemonic for aerobatics? H A S A L L H E S S E L H A S E L L

Check Understanding When conducting checks in preparation for aerobatic flying, aircrew should ensure that. . . The flaps and undercarriage are up and the airbrakes are out The flaps and undercarriage are up and the airbrakes are in The flaps are down, the undercarriage is up and the airbrakes are out

Check Understanding In the diagram, the arrows indicate what plane of movement? Pitching Yawing Rolling Spinning

Check Understanding What is the simplest aerobatic manoeuvre in the pitching plane? A stall turn A loop A barrel roll A spin

Check Understanding This diagram shows an aerobatic manoeuvre. It is known as: A ‘U’ Turn Inverted Turn Aileron Turn Stall Turn

Check Understanding What specific precautions should the pilot take when performing the vertical figure of eight? Ensure adequate ground and surrounding clearance Take care to avoid exceeding speed and 'g' limits Ensure that loose articles have been stowed and lap straps are tight Take care to avoid turning too tightly and at too fast a speed

Check Understanding What is the simplest aerobatic manoeuvre in the rolling plane? A slow roll A barrel roll A stall turn A spin

Check Understanding What is the only basic aerobatic manoeuvre in the yawing plane? Roll off the top The stall turn A spin The upward roll

Check Understanding In the diagram, what is represented by the angle shown? The Angle of Incidence The Angle of Attack The High Climb Angle The Low Climb Angle

Check Understanding In close formation flying, number 1. . . Must stay in radio contact at all times Must keep all members in visual contact at all times Commands the formation until its safe return to base Commands the formation, its security, tactics, exercises and safe return to base

Check Understanding What formation is shown in this diagram? Box Vic Echelon Diamond

Check Understanding What formation is shown in this diagram? Echelon Box Diamond Card

Check Understanding What formation is shown in this diagram? Diamond Line astern Line abreast Echelon

Aircraft Handling End of Presentation