In November 2024, we had the enormous privilege of flying with one of the most renowned teams on the virtual airshow circuit. Our acrobatic squadron has recently integrated the cockpit of a second aircraft. At this time, we have a show ready for the fa-18. We’ve had the opportunity to unroll it live on two occasions. The second aircraft being the Aermacchi MB-339, flying in the rear seat of the Frecce Tricolore was an opportunity for us to observe from the inside their “know-how” and their flight envelope with this aircraft we’re still discovering.
It was also an opportunity to learn a few words of Italian, as these pilots, although highly concentrated, lost nothing of their origins and slipped in a few very typical words between synchronization communications. Their ribbon was modelled exactly on that of the real “Frecce” squadron.
With the Fa18, we’re used to an aircraft with a very beneficial power-to-weight ratio. This requires taming the power during a presentation to stay close to the public. On the other hand, the Fa-18 doesn’t really behave optimally on its back. Switching from the 18 to the MB gives the impression of flying in slow motion. It’s more like visual flying.
The MB-339 is just the opposite, and allows to understand the issue of energy management. It’s this management that often differentiates simmers from real pilots. But making an acrobatic display with the Aermacchi requires cultivating what a pendulum is in essence: a system of mutual barter between kinetic and potential energy.
To conclude this article, I wanted to mention a few lessons learned from our flight with the Frecce. Here are the most important in a nutshell:
Flying in low trim (between 6 and 9 notches), this keeps a slight tension on the stick and adds to precision. Very similar to the spring that true blue angels place on their sticks. Twenty kilos to hold permanently and no dead center. Then no touch to trim any more.
With a near-constant throttle flow (around 90), flight is based primarily on the natural exchange of potential and kinetic energy.
The Frecce announce their speeds almost to the knot. Their joins are breathtakingly precise, and every time we felt as if we were going to crunch the plane in front of us. Their number 6 Sabba excels! They use speed and timing as well as intensive use of the airbrake. They clearly show what’s possible at the extreme.
And above all, with the exception of the Solo, the flight groups evolve with very little G (max 2G). They have listened to how the aircraft behaves naturally, so as not to force the movement. This results in very natural, elegant trajectories. When they do a dorsal evolution, they arrive very naturally at 0 G at the top of the evolution. The planes fall back to regain speed.
Personally, I really liked Luconne-1’s lead vocal style. “Roooooombo Via!”, “Reduco, puntando, inverti …VIA!.”. “SU!!!”. Using the intonation of the words more than the pitch. Really cool, I like this style of dispensing orders.
In short, this flight ahead of the development of our MB show is a godsend. All the guys on my team loved this spectacular experience. They showed us the way forward with the Italian aircraft.
Grazie Raggazi!!!
Guizm0 – EHC-Leader
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