'The Blades' aerobatic display team
Discussion
Having spotted them on 'The Apprentice' a quick Google revealed them:
www.theblades.biz/pages/home.php
I'm reasonably interested in matters air, so I'm surprised I've never heard of them.
They appear to be twin seaters, so the inevitable question is 'how much?'
www.theblades.biz/pages/home.php
I'm reasonably interested in matters air, so I'm surprised I've never heard of them.
They appear to be twin seaters, so the inevitable question is 'how much?'
Simpo Two said:
Having spotted them on 'The Apprentice' a quick Google revealed them:
www.theblades.biz/pages/home.php
I'm reasonably interested in matters air, so I'm surprised I've never heard of them.
They appear to be twin seaters, so the inevitable question is 'how much?'
They fly Extra 300s out of Sywell.www.theblades.biz/pages/home.php
I'm reasonably interested in matters air, so I'm surprised I've never heard of them.
They appear to be twin seaters, so the inevitable question is 'how much?'
In the past, they've also managed to chew bits off each other, but I understand the team line-up has changed since then.
Solo hire for an Extra 300 will set you back about £300 an hour for the one I punt around occasionally. If you don't have the paperwork & mileage to rent one for yourself, Ultimate High at Kemble and WLAC (my local, near Maidenhead) can provide 'experience' flights with someone who can drive it for you - there are a couple of other outfits as well.
AshVX220 said:
What I wanted to know was, how much did it set Sir Alan Sugar back, to get those numpties some play time with the Blades?
Given the TV exposure and the fact that The Blades do corporate hospitality, I'm sure a deal was struck!But would they really put rookies through a full acrobatic routine as shown or was that library footage?
Seen them at Eastbourne 2 years ago and I think at Galway/Salthill?
Very good, very precise and entertaining enough.
Though on the apprentice and on the TT coverage where they took some bikers up they really did go easy on them?
I would feel a bit ripped off if all I got for the money was a few loops rolls and wingovers, would be a bit dull after getting "the full works with extra g" from a Tutor pilot one day
Very good, very precise and entertaining enough.
Though on the apprentice and on the TT coverage where they took some bikers up they really did go easy on them?
I would feel a bit ripped off if all I got for the money was a few loops rolls and wingovers, would be a bit dull after getting "the full works with extra g" from a Tutor pilot one day
Mr Dave said:
Seen them at Eastbourne 2 years ago and I think at Galway/Salthill?
Very good, very precise and entertaining enough.
Though on the apprentice and on the TT coverage where they took some bikers up they really did go easy on them?
I would feel a bit ripped off if all I got for the money was a few loops rolls and wingovers, would be a bit dull after getting "the full works with extra g" from a Tutor pilot one day
It is always a tricky judgement for those flying passengers on aerobatic 'experience' flights as to the range of figures flown, and actually a lot of it boils down to the pre-flight chat, and how communicative the passenger is during the course of the flight. You don't want to disappoint the passenger, but at the same time you don't want to be scraping your passenger's last meal off the inside of the canopy - and it is very seldom you would expose anyone to serious negative G. I have no idea about the Tutor (never flown one) but the Extra 300 is perfectly capable of shutting down/blowing up an unprepared passenger's head, if required.Very good, very precise and entertaining enough.
Though on the apprentice and on the TT coverage where they took some bikers up they really did go easy on them?
I would feel a bit ripped off if all I got for the money was a few loops rolls and wingovers, would be a bit dull after getting "the full works with extra g" from a Tutor pilot one day
+6/-3 I think so not a lot compared to an extra, but plenty for a bit of fun, suprisingly flickable too.
One guy I know passed out at just about 2g which really illustrates what your saying, he definately did not have fun and is probably put off flying for. If he had paid for the flight im sure he wouldnt be a happy bunny.
Edited by Mr Dave on Wednesday 10th June 00:54
+6/-3 is plenty to get most people throwing up, unconcious or screaming in mortal terror!
I personally prefer a nice gentle routine compared to trying to pull the wings off something, the nice thing with an Extra is that as it is so capable, it is almost too easy!
With most aeros experience lessons with someone who has never done any before, it is sufficient just to turn the thing upsidedown for ten seconds and perform a simple loop or roll. Their brains simply call "enough" and the adrenaline gets flooded through their system. Job done!
I personally prefer a nice gentle routine compared to trying to pull the wings off something, the nice thing with an Extra is that as it is so capable, it is almost too easy!
With most aeros experience lessons with someone who has never done any before, it is sufficient just to turn the thing upsidedown for ten seconds and perform a simple loop or roll. Their brains simply call "enough" and the adrenaline gets flooded through their system. Job done!
Gliders are my favourite for aeros, just seems that bit more special and involving, when I got a go in a Tucano things were almost too easy as you just point it and it went compared to everything else ive flown in.
I take it an Extra feels the same? Will have to get a go in one someday.
I take it an Extra feels the same? Will have to get a go in one someday.
Mr Dave said:
Gliders are my favourite for aeros, just seems that bit more special and involving, when I got a go in a Tucano things were almost too easy as you just point it and it went compared to everything else ive flown in.
I take it an Extra feels the same? Will have to get a go in one someday.
The roll-rate of the Extra is the first thing that would get your attention, but depending on how the aircraft was set up you might find the lack of break-out force rather unpleasant - as they emerge from the factory, there is practically none - Walter seems to like it that way; for the rest of us, either adjusting the spades or adding p-strip to get a decent feel for stick centre is the way to go.I take it an Extra feels the same? Will have to get a go in one someday.
Depending on where you're sitting, you'd probably feel the Extra beating you up more than the other aerobatic types you've flown - in the rear (primary) seat particularly. Compared to a Pitts, the feel of the Extra does seem vaguely remote - if you jump out of the Pitts into the 300, the rudder feels wooden and comparably ineffective - get back into the Pitts, you remember you only need to flex your toes to have an effect, but the roll rate seems suddenly quite benign. Getting back into the Yak after either of them, and you realise what it must be like to try and set a lap record at the Nürburgring in a Range Rover.
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