After the preparations and the meteorological reconnaissance flight had landed safely, the training flight team of 5 aircraft in an arrow formation was deployed. After 10 pilots (both front and rear cabins) had boarded the 5 aircraft, started the engines, controlled the equipment to move to the waiting area, and took off in pairs one after another… the entire Phu Cat airport area was bustling with the roar of jet engines.

At the K4 command post, Colonel Nguyen Van Son, Commander of Regiment 940, Air Force Officer School (Air Defense - Air Force) continuously gave commands to the squadron to maintain altitude and distance according to the previously coordinated flight data.

Yak-130 formation ready for takeoff.

After maneuvering steadily at an altitude of 600-1,200m, the 5 Yak-130 aircraft were controlled to reduce altitude, join the team, and form an arrow formation through the simulated grandstand area with a distance of 30m, a distance of 20m and a height difference of 3-6m. The engines of the 5 jets roared, cutting through the wind, the "arrow" rushed through the grandstand area at a distance of 200m... When just passing through the grandstand area. After the commander's command "Maneuver", the aircraft performed formation maneuvers, controlling the aircraft to make a level turn with an inclination of 45 to 60 degrees; showing off the sharp dive and combat dive... It was truly an impressive moment for those who witnessed it directly.

A formation of five Yak-130 aircraft in an arrow formation passed through the simulated grandstand area.

After the flight has completed successfully, ensure that the training plan is followed. Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Tuan, Chief of Flight Safety of Regiment 940, who flies in position 1, the team leader, said: “In large formation flights, to ensure absolute safety, the team leader must always check to know the position and actions of each team member throughout the flight. Before each change in status, the team member must be informed. Number 1 must also maintain an appropriate flight speed to create favorable conditions for the team members to maintain their positions in the formation. Give timely orders to the team members before each maneuver, do not suddenly change the speed, direction and altitude, especially when flying at supersonic speeds, at low altitudes and in the stratosphere. When starting to circle and during the circle, you must focus on observing the team members in the formation and be especially careful when the formation is flying at low and extremely low altitudes... Flying in large formations is stressful because the planes are close together, so during the entire flight and towards the end of the flight, we are more careful and control lightly. Gentle and precise to ensure a beautiful and absolutely safe formation.

5 Yak-130 aircraft flying in a ladder formation.

Talking with Colonel Nguyen Van Son, we learned: After receiving the directive requiring Yak-130 aircraft to participate in the A80 mission with a large formation of 5-6 aircraft. The regiment held a meeting of the flight method council, assigned the task to the council to select pilots who met the mission requirements, quickly agreed and wrote the flight course for 5, 6 aircraft. The unit carried out the mission in favorable conditions with a team of technicians and pilots with rich experience in serving and flying large formations (3, 4 aircraft) in the recent A50 mission. During the training for the A-80 mission, the weather conditions at Phu Cat airport were very stable and favorable. Besides the advantages, the unit also encountered many difficulties when simultaneously implementing many training contents and subjects at the same time such as: advanced flights with experts, training flights for instructors, conversion flights for pilots and students... When flying in large formations, low altitudes, and close distances, it is easy to cause stress for pilots; during the windy season, unstable airspace affects the formation... Despite many difficulties, in the past time, the unit has focused on organizing classes and ground training for the team of pilots participating in the A80 mission thoroughly and seriously; researching coordination organization, proposing solutions and methods of handling situations.

Pilots of the 940th Regiment talk after the flight.

Up to now, Regiment 940 has successfully organized training for dozens of flight teams of 5 aircraft. After each flight, the pilots' skills and abilities are increasingly improved, and the formation is beautiful and stable. The unit is also ready to prepare for mobile transfer to training schools and develop a plan for a flight plan of 6 aircraft when requested by superiors, in order to successfully complete the assigned tasks on the country's great festival.

BICH PHUONG - HOANG CONG - HOANG HAI

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    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/mui-ten-yak-130-da-san-sang-cho-ngay-hoi-lon-836856