Has anyone had a crack at this?
Discussion
Been around aviation for most of my life, mainly models but have flown light aircraft and microlights. I competed at a fairly high level in model aerobatics but have never done any aerobatics full size.
So.....anyone have a similar background and been up with these guys www.ultimatehigh.co.uk ? If so, was it any good? Or are there other setups around that are cheaper/better?
So.....anyone have a similar background and been up with these guys www.ultimatehigh.co.uk ? If so, was it any good? Or are there other setups around that are cheaper/better?
UH offer aerobatic experiences on the Bulldog and Extra 300 - if you have zero aerobatic experience, then you'd probably have a whale of a time in the Bulldog, but in reality the 'dawg is fairly limited in what it can achieve. The Extra is a different kettle of fish entirely, and is perfectly capable of blowing your head up or sending you off to sleep as required. UH are a great outfit, have a lot of happy customers, and I know a number of the folk who fly for them.
However, there is now the opportunity to fly the XtremeAir XA42 (previously designated the SBach 342) at White Waltham just west of Maidenhead. See http://xtremeaerobatics.co.uk. IMHO the XA42 makes the Extra 300 feel like an old carthorse, and the designer took a lot of input from what the scale model fraternity have managed to achieve over the past few years and applied it to a full scale design. The result is stunning. Additionally, if you want to try something marginally less full-one beforehand, you could try a flight in the Pitts S2A at Waltham as well - personally I'd say the S2 gives you the best value for money as an introduction, and then you can decide if you want to try something with Unlimited-level performance afterwards.
Depending on where you are in Hampshire, Waltham may be easier to get to than Kemble. The only fly in the ointment is that the Olympics are going to significantly reduce the amount of flying at Waltham for a month from the 14th July - not sure what the aerobatic experience operations will be doing, they may relocate for the duration.
However, there is now the opportunity to fly the XtremeAir XA42 (previously designated the SBach 342) at White Waltham just west of Maidenhead. See http://xtremeaerobatics.co.uk. IMHO the XA42 makes the Extra 300 feel like an old carthorse, and the designer took a lot of input from what the scale model fraternity have managed to achieve over the past few years and applied it to a full scale design. The result is stunning. Additionally, if you want to try something marginally less full-one beforehand, you could try a flight in the Pitts S2A at Waltham as well - personally I'd say the S2 gives you the best value for money as an introduction, and then you can decide if you want to try something with Unlimited-level performance afterwards.
Depending on where you are in Hampshire, Waltham may be easier to get to than Kemble. The only fly in the ointment is that the Olympics are going to significantly reduce the amount of flying at Waltham for a month from the 14th July - not sure what the aerobatic experience operations will be doing, they may relocate for the duration.
Edited by eharding on Tuesday 3rd July 22:16
eharding said:
UH offer aerobatic experiences on the Bulldog and Extra 300 - if you have zero aerobatic experience, then you'd probably have a whale of a time in the Bulldog, bit in reality the 'dawg is fairly limited in what it can achieve.
True, but a good intro for an ab initio. I always felt that, even for an experienced pilot, the 'Dog could be challenging in getting stuff looking (and feeling) right.eharding said:
UH are a great outfit, have a lot of happy customers, and I know a number of the folk who fly for them.
Ditto. 
I was chatting to a couple of guys from UH at Goodwood on Saturday (they had a stand at the air display section). Very friendly chaps and so enthusiastic about what they do, they said for someone who's never flown any form of aerobatics or even light aircraft then the Bulldog will give 90% of the thirll. For those who have done a little bit or who are total thrillseekers then the Extras are recommended.
I'm hoping to do the topgun duo in the extras at some point next year (Xmas present to me & the wife) and can't wait.
I'm hoping to do the topgun duo in the extras at some point next year (Xmas present to me & the wife) and can't wait.
eharding said:
IMHO the XA42 makes the Extra 300 feel like an old carthorse, and the designer took a lot of input from what the scale model fraternity have managed to achieve over the past few years and applied it to a full scale design. The result is stunning.
That's interesting, reminds me of the film, 'Flight of the Pheonix'.Edited by eharding on Tuesday 3rd July 22:16
Are any real aircraft able to 'prop hang' yet or is it simply not possible?
SlipStream77 said:
That's interesting, reminds me of the film, 'Flight of the Pheonix'.
Are any real aircraft able to 'prop hang' yet or is it simply not possible?
With marginal fuel, the Sukhoi 26 or 31 doesn't go very far backwards in a torque-roll at maximum chat, but the cylinder-head temps go ape in short order.Are any real aircraft able to 'prop hang' yet or is it simply not possible?
Some mad pilgrim has ordered an Sbach with a pumped M14P bolted to the front - I suspect that may well be able to fly a vertical up line, pause for a torque roll, and resume the vertical up line.
Thanks for the replies peeps.
I too was chatting to them at Goodwood on Thursday. Was quite early in the day and due to there not being a lot of people around it was quite a long chat!
Im based around 30 mins from Goodwood along the A27 and what really piqued my interest was the fact they are due to fly from there. I'm not overly bothered about flying aerobatics for aerobatics sake, I'm far more interested in the ACM side of things, (yes I know that's still aerobatics but chasing another plane sounds like much more fun!!)
I have pulled +5 and -3 G's in a glider due to a winch rope breaking, and am aware that the Extra can load you up quite a lot more then this if you ask it to.
I think I'm answering my own question here arnt I??
I too was chatting to them at Goodwood on Thursday. Was quite early in the day and due to there not being a lot of people around it was quite a long chat!
Im based around 30 mins from Goodwood along the A27 and what really piqued my interest was the fact they are due to fly from there. I'm not overly bothered about flying aerobatics for aerobatics sake, I'm far more interested in the ACM side of things, (yes I know that's still aerobatics but chasing another plane sounds like much more fun!!)
I have pulled +5 and -3 G's in a glider due to a winch rope breaking, and am aware that the Extra can load you up quite a lot more then this if you ask it to.
I think I'm answering my own question here arnt I??
eharding said:
SlipStream77 said:
That's interesting, reminds me of the film, 'Flight of the Pheonix'.
Are any real aircraft able to 'prop hang' yet or is it simply not possible?
With marginal fuel, the Sukhoi 26 or 31 doesn't go very far backwards in a torque-roll at maximum chat, but the cylinder-head temps go ape in short order.Are any real aircraft able to 'prop hang' yet or is it simply not possible?
Some mad pilgrim has ordered an Sbach with a pumped M14P bolted to the front - I suspect that may well be able to fly a vertical up line, pause for a torque roll, and resume the vertical up line.
andy ted said:
eharding said:
SlipStream77 said:
That's interesting, reminds me of the film, 'Flight of the Pheonix'.
Are any real aircraft able to 'prop hang' yet or is it simply not possible?
With marginal fuel, the Sukhoi 26 or 31 doesn't go very far backwards in a torque-roll at maximum chat, but the cylinder-head temps go ape in short order.Are any real aircraft able to 'prop hang' yet or is it simply not possible?
Some mad pilgrim has ordered an Sbach with a pumped M14P bolted to the front - I suspect that may well be able to fly a vertical up line, pause for a torque roll, and resume the vertical up line.
Cost not withstanding, you don't see turbines in true Unlimited aerobatic types as gyroscopic tumbling figures don't mix well with turbines rotating at 10000 RPM.
GF flew UH from Kemble about 2 years ago for a bday present. We went for the Extra and she had a fantastic time of it.
The only downside was the pilot to passenger comms were'nt great, so she could hear / communicate very well, which became an issue when they started their aero's and she didn't know what to expect.
The only downside was the pilot to passenger comms were'nt great, so she could hear / communicate very well, which became an issue when they started their aero's and she didn't know what to expect.
Greeners took Carol Vorderman for a blat in the Bulldog a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-21632...
Apparently she is a bit of a squealer and swears like a trooper....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-21632...
Apparently she is a bit of a squealer and swears like a trooper....
mrloudly said:
I thought he survived the incident?
Yes, he did, although he's a bit shorter now.Ken Erickson, who built the Raven with Wayne, built another turbine aerobat - the Turbine Toucan. You can see some shots of that on youtube and it can no doubt draw ludicrous vertical lines with 750hp.
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