Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1493095
dynamics are high, but each of the pilots knows his aircraft very well. This year each of the pilots has a significant amount of experience in formation flying - and this makes it possible to bring the aircraft even closer together than during the preceding seasons. This year's display program has been divided into three distinct sections - formation aerobatics (barrel rolls, loops, wingovers with four aircraft), finalized with a double heart, solo display, and opposing passes, breaks, and a broad variety of different formations, such as "Box", "Line Abreast", "Mirror", or "T formation". As the afternoon approaches, and we examine the weather report, we know that today's planned photo sortie would need to be postponed - sand is carried in the air. This, and strong winds can limit visibility effectively, down to less than 1,000 meters. Despite the expected adverse weather, the team decides to make use of the last available weather window to perform a rehearsal. This creates an opportunity to take a closer look at the display program. The aircraft have already been rolled out, and the pilots gather to get their parachutes and helmets and then walk towards the planes, where the ground crew members wait for them. This makes the pilots' jobs easier, as the aircraft have been carefully inspected and readied for the sortie. The ground crew also assists the pilots in handling their harnesses, and during taxi, making sure that the safety of flying is not compromised in any way. The airport in Aqaba does not host much airliner traffic, and this allows the RJF to comfortably rehearse their displays above the runway. One should admit, that witnessing the whole display program up close and personal, in a setting much different from a classic air show, is very impressive. The whole display program lasts 15 minutes. Not only is the airmanship, and proximity flying impressive, the same goes for the fluid transitions between the individual elements of the display, or smooth transition from a 3-ship formation and solo display, and when the remaining aircraft go back to their positions. Following the landing, we engage in further conversation on training and displays. This is a perfect moment to mention the team's annual European Tournée, that unfortunately did not take place in 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During each display season, the RJFs try to visit as many air shows in as many different European AVIATION