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AerobaticsSoon after aircraftcircus to entertain people or impress others. Manoeuvres that had no practical purpose were flown for artistic reasons or to draw gasps from onlookers. In due course some of these manoeuvres were found to allow aircraft to gain tactical advantage during aerial combat or "dog-fights" between two or more fighter aircraft. The word presumably derives from the term used by human gymnasts - acrobatics | ||
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The French aerobatic team - the Patrouille de France. Larger version |
Most aerobatic manoeuvres involve rotation of the aircraft about its fuselage - rolling - or the following of geometric patterns in the sky (most famously the loop). Formation aerobatics are usually flown by teams of up to sixteen aircraft, although economic considerations mean that most teams habitually fly between four and ten aircraft. Some are state funded to reflect pride in the armed forcesSukhoitrainer aircraft are normally employed. Famous teams include the Black ArrowsBlue Angels, Diables Rouges, Frecce Tricolori, Halcones, Patrouille de France, Patrouille Suisse, Red ArrowsRoulettes, Royal Jordanian Falcons, the USAFThunderbirds and the Yellowjacks.
The practice of formation flying might have been inspired by the migration of flocks of birds, swans or geese. Certainly most aerobatic teams include a V-formation in their routines. Teams fly V-fo
