Certainly, I’ll explain it.
Unless things changed this year, the standard for a European or UK show such as Legends or LFA seems to involve rather dramatic displays of flying agility on the part of 60+ year old warbirds. I’m all for keeping them flying, but while they may have originally been designed to do such manouvers, they were also designed with a life expectancy measured in weeks or months at best.
The point of all this is that this exponentially increases the risk that the aircraft and pilot will merge with the landscape in a most unfortunate manner, and THAT is why I prefer what Ian calls the “tailchase” type display. Not as visually exciting as watching a Spitfire attempt a hammerhead stall (that’s called hyperbole, folks), but it’s easier on the airframes and gives a pilot more options if the mechanical bits decide to take a vacation whilst airborne.
And, being a diehard 109 nut who’s been fortunate enough to sit in 3579, anything that prolongs the flying life of that gorgeous bird is just fine with me.
Lynn
I would agree with you that there is no need to take unneccessary risks with flying these aircraft.
But I would like to pull you up on the comparison made between Legends and LFA,my comments are only based on the video footage of LFA posted on the forum, but from what I saw there was a far bit of unneccessary, and IMO risky manoeuvres i.e. the infamous 109 clip, the very low flying cub, and why would you roll a P-51 with the gear down!
The flying at Legends on the other hand is flown within limits and safely, and I defy anyone who says that the aircraft are put at risk, but as this year was a good example, the flying is spectacular.
(Rant Over )
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