I would not attempt ever to emulate this piece of flying by a highly experienced airshow pilot. However once trimmed correctly in pitch it is not hard to ease down to extremely low heights inverted since you do have quite the best view possible in a monoplane. Not at all a good idea in a biplane as the top wing gets in the way of exactly where you need to look. Smooth air is essential and avoid any contact with something that might make you sneeze like dust or detritus in the cockpit. A bird strike would be disastrous however if the aircraft was trimmed so that a slight pull was needed any relaxation on the controls would cause the aircraft to pitch away from the ground.

I pray this information will not inspire some foolhardy individual to try it. They would be putting their lives at great risk and that is advice from one who is in his 52nd season as an airshow pilot. Prenez garde, messieurs…!!!!

I well remember Mike Findley, then leader of the Rothmans Aerobatic Team at an airshow at Weston Park in the mid 1970’s doing the inverted ribbon cut for the first, and probably only, time. We set up our limbo poles at around 18 feet agl, putting the ribbon around 15 feet agl and marked at the centre by a couple of balloons. He took about five passes at ever lower heights inverted before he sliced the ribbon, pushing out on each occasion as the Weston treea loomed large in his field of vision. The whole display was broadcast live on ITV Midlands in their Sunday Sport slot. Halcyon days. Weston Park was one of the Barnstormers more challenging venues and we operated out of Cosford for some shows there.

Cheers,

Reaper 69
:diablo::diablo::diablo:
http://armageddon-airshows.vpweb.co.uk/default.html

Accorfing to many I specialise more towards insultancy rather then consultency. Consultant often translates into Con trick when the so called experts just tell the clients what they want to know rather than what they need to know. Or am I just an old cynic………………..??????????????

The ADA-UK meering at Cranfield was most interesting and well worth attending. Even at the cost of a very early departure from home.

Lots of useful discussion which should lead to good things for the industry. No doubt Dick Roberts will be circulating some notes of the debate.

The RAF events team gave a gloomy outlook for the amount of service participation this season and the RAFAT MAC will have muddied the crystal ball. How that will affect things God knows.

Finally a change of staff on promotion coupled to recruitment procedures at the CAA airshow desk may mean delays in getting airshow permissions and exemptions until late in the season. Dave Evans has done an exceptional task for the industry for around 8 years but is moving to another department within the Belgrano. It will pay to get any application in very early. Late submissions may not be succesful.

Cheers,

Reaper 69
:diablo::diablo::cool::diablo::diablo:

Sorry mate but I live near Peterborough and setting off early for Cranfield. It should be an interesting meeting if the agenda is to be believed.
Cheers,
Reaper 69
;);););)

As one who has attended virtually all the Legends displays since the beginning I am certain the weekend will be a memorable one. The return of the serviceable Fighter Collection fleet to the flight line and the sky alone would ensure this.

Against the opinion of the majority of forumites I really enjoy Bernard Chabbert’s participation in the commentary team along with Melvyn Hiscock. For a grenouille he has a fabulous accent and vocabulary linked to an exhaustive knowledge of historic aviation. Although he assertion that the Battle of Britain outcome was made almost certain by the losses the Luftwaffe sustained in the Battle of France sticks in many a British craw he really does have a point.

I would however advocate a PA referee with a fade out control. This to minimise the adverse effect amplified chatter can have on the enjoyment of the awesome sound of high power piston engines. Surely we can all agree on this vital innovation being introduced.

Looking forward to July with keen anticipation. Standing by for incoming…!!!

Cheers,

Reaper 69
:):):):)

Still one of the best low-flyers ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0-xnaRSL6g
:D:D

Magnificant. Thanks for posting this clip.

Cheers,

Reaper 69
:diablo::cool::diablo:

Happy memories of a visit there in the 1990’s and several flights in a variety of balloons. One trip overflew Saanen aerodrome a few miles up the valley towards Gstaad where we managed a touch and go on their snow covered runway much to the delight of ATC. Glorious food and magic company.
Cheers,
Reaper 69
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Don Bullock barrel rolled the Invader at the 1980 Leicestershire Aero Club Air Show in late August. It was completed without any problem however I can recall being alarmed at the amount of torsional strain clearly visible on the wing during the manoeuver as the sunlight glinted off the upper surface skin panels.

Cheers,

Reaper 69