Vulcan RIAT 2015
The Reds got a well deserved standing ovation from the FRENCH at Tours a few weeks back - I have to confess I felt very proud to be a Brit, and a former RA Trust Trustee.
Trouble with the Reds is that, over very many years, we have come to expect excellence and we always get it. Moreover, they have very tight rules as to exactly what they can do. The Vulcan display on Saturday was very exciting as it broke the rules and apparently got a yellow card. Obviously there is a very fine dividing line between safety and an exciting display. One only has to look at old footage of the Arrows flying Gnats to see just how exciting they were. Sadly (or sensibly) the Arrows cannot now fly down the runway at 2 foot 6. Sadly too we have seen the last of 22 Hunters looping. Would it not be fantastic to see 24 Typhoons looping in formation?
I took my family yesterday, having also been hosting previously. A great airshow, made by the Vulcan. But it's also interesting being back in the UK.
A couple of rhetorical questions:
Why are there so many enormously fat people at air shows?
Why would anyone go to a military air show wearing bits of discarded military clothing (and I don't mean the cadets and military re-enactors)? There were dozens of, frankly, weird people there wandering around in DPM jackets, random surplus flying gear (and no, I'm not referring to the foreign contingents). Do they wear this clothing normally, or do shows like these allow them to dig into the dressing up box?
And, finally, whilst on my DM rant, why do people cover themselves in the most bizarre tattoos? As we walked in, there was a chap who had spring shock absorbers inked on to his calves; one woman had tie-bows down the back of both legs. And these looked like otherwise-sane people.
I compare that with a recent foreign air show I attended, albeit in an official capacity, and visible tattoos were enough to be excluded from the crowd. Not that it matters, but I do wonder whether there are large sections of the UK public hell-bent on self destruction.
Right, I feel better now. "Nurse, is it time for my special pills?"
A couple of rhetorical questions:
Why are there so many enormously fat people at air shows?
Why would anyone go to a military air show wearing bits of discarded military clothing (and I don't mean the cadets and military re-enactors)? There were dozens of, frankly, weird people there wandering around in DPM jackets, random surplus flying gear (and no, I'm not referring to the foreign contingents). Do they wear this clothing normally, or do shows like these allow them to dig into the dressing up box?
And, finally, whilst on my DM rant, why do people cover themselves in the most bizarre tattoos? As we walked in, there was a chap who had spring shock absorbers inked on to his calves; one woman had tie-bows down the back of both legs. And these looked like otherwise-sane people.
I compare that with a recent foreign air show I attended, albeit in an official capacity, and visible tattoos were enough to be excluded from the crowd. Not that it matters, but I do wonder whether there are large sections of the UK public hell-bent on self destruction.
Right, I feel better now. "Nurse, is it time for my special pills?"
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I still think the Vulcan remains an outstanding example of British design and engineering ... compared to the cars available then (to the lucky few) like the Morris Minior, it must have looked as if had come straight out of science fiction.
A sad day when she will fly no more
A sad day when she will fly no more
sharpend wrote:
Hmm, having only seen the footage I did wonder 
. At least the crew now has a better artificial horizon installed than the Smiths MFS, so recovery from such steep attitudes is made rather easier - but the fatigue counts will doubtless be interesting...
Still, I gather the Vulcan display won a trophy.
The Vulcan display on Saturday was very exciting as it broke the rules and apparently got a yellow card. Obviously there is a very fine dividing line between safety and an exciting display.
. At least the crew now has a better artificial horizon installed than the Smiths MFS, so recovery from such steep attitudes is made rather easier - but the fatigue counts will doubtless be interesting...Still, I gather the Vulcan display won a trophy.
Originally Posted by BEagle
At least the crew now has a better artificial horizon installed than the Smiths MFS, so recovery from such steep attitudes is made rather easier
I'm glad they're finally throwing her around a bit more with less regard to maintaining low fatigue counts. Such a shame it is the end.
just another jocky, have you ever been in a Vulcan cockpit? Extreme pitch attitudes can just about be assessed by the horizon angle through the portholes - you can see √(c*ck all) through the windscreen at such attitudes and there is absolutely no overhead or rearward view. The MFS ran out of pitch at (I think) 20° nose-up, so it was by guess at higher pitch attitudes - apart from the ground angle through the portholes.
Aeroplanes which are 'thrown around' will usually be found in subsequent accident reports....
Aeroplanes which are 'thrown around' will usually be found in subsequent accident reports....
Sharpend
Actually, what happened was that another pilot, a Display Authorisation Evaluator, saw the take-off manoeuvre, and spoke to the Vulcan captain later about it.
The Vulcan captain then went, off his own bat, to see if the Flying Control Committee had any problems with it. After much consulting of rule books, the FCC decided that no rules had been broken. So, no yellow card.
I understand, though, that at least two other popular displays did get yellow cards!
Whenurhappy, I love your
After 35 years of working at air shows, I'm inclined to agree.
airsound
The Vulcan display on Saturday was very exciting as it broke the rules and apparently got a yellow card.
The Vulcan captain then went, off his own bat, to see if the Flying Control Committee had any problems with it. After much consulting of rule books, the FCC decided that no rules had been broken. So, no yellow card.
I understand, though, that at least two other popular displays did get yellow cards!
Whenurhappy, I love your
couple of rhetorical questions:
airsound
I have mentioned this before but not the time and place but seeing as the display envelope seems to be changing it may be worth another mention. Six weeks ago 558 was practicing at Scampton, at the end of the routine it flew fast down the runway from the A15 end before climbing out over the viewpoint. The climb out was at 70 - 75 degs. and before top of climb it flew a half roll and then levelled out inverted, another half role was carried out before it flew off the right way up. For once I was dumbstruck, I was involved with the Vulcan fleet from 1968 - 1980 and have seen lots of displays but nothing came close to the manoeuvre that I saw 6 weeks ago, and yes, I do know the difference between a half role and a wing over.
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A slightly better video if only spoiled by the commentator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh-9uZjg1Tg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh-9uZjg1Tg
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I used to go to Mildenhall and went once every three years. This was my first visit I hope I have captured the atmosphere. This is part one I have done the flying sequences to match up with the static displays
http://youtu.be/-egPwzNSwVU
http://youtu.be/-egPwzNSwVU
SharpendActually, what happened was that another pilot, a Display Authorisation Evaluator, saw the take-off manoeuvre, and spoke to the Vulcan captain later about it.
The Vulcan captain then went, off his own bat, to see if the Flying Control Committee had any problems with it. After much consulting of rule books, the FCC decided that no rules had been broken. So, no yellow card.
I understand, though, that at least two other popular displays did get yellow cards!
Whenurhappy, I love your After 35 years of working at air shows, I'm inclined to agree.
airsound
The Vulcan captain then went, off his own bat, to see if the Flying Control Committee had any problems with it. After much consulting of rule books, the FCC decided that no rules had been broken. So, no yellow card.
I understand, though, that at least two other popular displays did get yellow cards!
Whenurhappy, I love your After 35 years of working at air shows, I'm inclined to agree.
airsound
Originally Posted by BEagle
just another jocky, have you ever been in a Vulcan cockpit? Extreme pitch attitudes can just about be assessed by the horizon angle through the portholes - you can see √(c*ck all) through the windscreen at such attitudes and there is absolutely no overhead or rearward view. The MFS ran out of pitch at (I think) 20° nose-up, so it was by guess at higher pitch attitudes - apart from the ground angle through the portholes.
Originally Posted by BEagle
Aeroplanes which are 'thrown around' will usually be found in subsequent accident reports....
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I was there on Saturday, close to the point where most of the aircraft, including 558, started their take-off. It was the best take-off I recollect seeing, including all the ones I saw in the 70s and 80s (it helped to see that manoeuvre from behind - it doesn't look quite as impressive form the side).
I agree about the displays in general - up until this year they have been quite low key compared to the old days but they do seem to be pushing the envelope a little now that the end is near.
I live very close to Finningley and see many of the take-offs and you can always tell when Kev Rumens is at the controls as he tends to do the more spirited take-offs and certainly the more dramatic wing-overs and he was the pilot on Saturday (except during the formation with the Reds when Bill Ramsay took over).
It would be interesting to know if a different pilot displayed on Sunday and how the take-off compared.
I agree about the displays in general - up until this year they have been quite low key compared to the old days but they do seem to be pushing the envelope a little now that the end is near.
I live very close to Finningley and see many of the take-offs and you can always tell when Kev Rumens is at the controls as he tends to do the more spirited take-offs and certainly the more dramatic wing-overs and he was the pilot on Saturday (except during the formation with the Reds when Bill Ramsay took over).
It would be interesting to know if a different pilot displayed on Sunday and how the take-off compared.
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If I remember correctly, the commentator mentioned that the Vulcan display would include one 120 degree wing over, but I don't know if anyone had a protractor handy to check what we saw on Saturday.
I was quite impressed with the A400, which is also cleared to do 120 Degree wing overs, and included one in a very spirited display. It is just a shame it is so quiet.
I was quite impressed with the A400, which is also cleared to do 120 Degree wing overs, and included one in a very spirited display. It is just a shame it is so quiet.
Sunday's display was amazing.Great display topped off by flypast with the Reds - it doesn't get better than that. The morning's low cloud gave way to perfect blue skies 
The commentator did make it clear that the cessation of flying at the end of the year was because of the withdrawal of Design/Engineering Authority by Marshall's, BAE and Rolls Royce, not lack of serviceable spares.
The commentator did make it clear that the cessation of flying at the end of the year was because of the withdrawal of Design/Engineering Authority by Marshall's, BAE and Rolls Royce, not lack of serviceable spares.