Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/739629
change of the leading aircraft. Three different types of planes and a limited time have required a maximum simplification, without any additional fringes as the split-ups and "crossed split-ups". Still lot of moving parts in that plan. We have decided to start with the Su-22 in the lead in order to change a leader for the F-16 after performing 4-5 maneuvers. After adding up time required for the change it has turned out that it is needed a good and smooth pace, quick moving on from one configuration to another. We have agreed that I will give a call for a change each time, saying a number and a name of the subsequent set (in order to simplify and speed up the proceedings). The last problem has been weather conditions in five different places: four airfields in the Poland and in the location of the photo shoot. In the air bases there have been required minimum parameters to perform aviation opera- tions, and in the place of the meeting we have needed an appropriate cloud level or a lack of them. Why? Too high cloud level makes it impossible to enter on their tops (and the Sun is always appreciated) due to a lack of the oxygen masks. The worst situation might be such that a cloud ceiling is so low, that flying in the formation under them is impossible or danger- ous, and their last floors are so high that accessing above them with people on the open cargo bay is unworkable (in such a situation it is usually searched a space between the layers, although it results in gray photos without any reasonable background). In order to secure against the unfavorable weather conditions the primary and back-up dates were set – finally, we have have conducted this photo shooting in the latter one when the weather has been perfect – in the slightly overcast conditions. The ramp in the C-295M is large, nevertheless a number of the in- volved photographers and cameramen has enforced sitting into the rows – the first row of four persons seats directly on the platform, the second row – kneels or stays. Each participant still has had helmet and safety harness with lanyard which length has been so adjusted that it restricts any movement towards the platform edge – it has been completely safe. Unfortunately, communication with the remaining planes cannot be provided directly from the platform, because in order to communicate you have had to press a button on the aircraft starboard situated on the ramp base (there is also a conference mode, but due to a noise level it has not been taken into account). Furthermore, a great problem constitutes noise generated by an air momentum so, I have had to withdraw inside the plane each time so pilots could hear me. A mission itself has been performed virtually without any problems. A time synchronization has been perfect, but our lesson learned is that preparing a backup plan, with a smaller number of planes – if one of them does not reach its destination, the whole operation should be continued in a crippled version. Due to a precise schedule and perfect communication we have executed all planned set-ups in both variants. From a time perspective we can regret that we have not performed a trail set-up during the first photo shoot which has worked so excelled during the second one. PHOTOGRAPHY