This is a very awesome adventure. I got to fly 90% of the time but only take
off and landing are done by the instructor. So we were on the ground for 30-45
minutes of briefing on the aircrafts performance, procedures and tactics. Then
we put on our flight suite and the parachute. Instructors went over how we
should jump out of the airplane in case of the emergency.. hahaha We then hop
into the airplane and we were ready for some actions! The aircraft they have is
an Italian airplane - SIAI Marchetti. It's very acrobatic airplane and it's
capable of pulling 6 G's (I pulled about 4.5). We did formations take off since
instructors were military pilots and FAA allowed them to fly in formations
because of their credentials. We flew far out north of Lancaster airport and
found some clear area for practicing and dog fights. We did hi-lo yoyos, rolls,
get to know the aircraft response with the control stick and we were ready for
the dog fights. My opponent and I flew about 1 - 1.5 miles apart heading the
same direction. Once everybody is ready, we would turn head to head passing each
other on the left and start the dog fight. We were up in the air going upside
down, rolling, chasing each other (Now I know why dogs enjoying chasing each
other - Because IT'S FUN!!!
)..
Our primary goal is to put the other aircraft into the gun sight to become the
winner of that fight. When we have the other aircraft in the gun sight, the
instructor will radio the other aircraft and instructor of the other aircraft
would flip a switch to release the smoke simulating of getting shot down. We did
6 dog fights total (of course I won all 6 fights
)
and each fight could last a few minutes or less than 1 minutes. After the
fights, we were all in the same room for de-briefing and each person gets to
take the video home. I will definitely going back for more actions!! I am
shooting for the Top Gun trophy - flying against a trained military pilot!
Click the link at bottom for videos.
in the cockpit 3500 feet above the ground
upside down chasing
Enemy shot down by me
Videos: April 30, 2005