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LETTERAwesome Nanchang CJ-6 experience
In association with
http://www.transair.co.ukI am a young pilot and photographer, into military as well as civil aircraft,
and I recently had the chance to fly in the Nanchang CJ-6, an aircraft
designed and built in China for use by the People’s Liberation Army Air
Force as a trainer and light attack.
Not only that, but we flew it in formation with a Piper Cub!
I began my awesome flight by getting into a cockpit that has tandem
seats and a bubble-shaped canopy which
gives superb visibility. Considering it’s an
old design I was impressed that the engine
started first time. A radial engine sounds
grand with its musical humming and the
feeling on the ground could be compared to
an expensive luxury massage chair. It was
interesting, when the gears or flaps were
engaged and the air released, to hear the
sound of the pneumatics, as this does not
happen with typical aircraft.
The throttle is identical to a MiG-15, and
the flying controls give you the ultimate
power, yet you find the CJ-6 wants to fly
you. I found the aircraft so stable, smooth,
robust, reliable and comfortable.
Then came the formation flying: 74mph
when a CJ-6 stall speed is about 68. The
Cub was at max RPM and full forward trim
at 86mph. After we broke from formation we
did some combat manoeuvres and then used
the legendary Cub as a slow moving target!
When doing wide circles the CJ-6 is like a
warbird and it was one thrill of a ride.
The aircraft is fully aerobatic, although
doing a 4g stunt I was amazed my eyes
didn’t come out of their sockets!
When the aircraft was at a certain angle
with the smoke system going (created by baby oil), it looked like someone
was enjoying a lot of cigars inside. The smoke was outstanding, at one
moment looking like a transonic vapour trail starting to break away from
the wing tip.
Typically, at that moment my camera went dead and the spare battery
was in my car...
Flying low and extremely fast in this machine is exhilarating and similar
to a Spitfire. However, it is the way it is so swift in acceleration compared
to a lot of aircraft that makes it even more impressive. At one point we
flew over a private airstrip at the speed of a Jaguar E-Type, leaving deep
smoke rising off the ground!
We flew above the clouds at a medium rate of climb, but diving to get
back below felt like we were in a tank — an awesome experience.
I’m grateful to pilot Bob Davy for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The whole experience was unforgettable.
Michael Miklos, by email30 | Pilot April 2015 http://www.pilotweb.aero
I did read the recent article on passenger rides
but I don’t think it’s correct.
Since 7 April 2014, EU regulation 379/2014
has been applicable to all EU member States,
including the UK.
In article 1 of the regulation, page 4, point 4,
it says article 6 of EU regulation 965/2012 has
to be changed to: “Cost-shared flights by
private individuals, on the condition that the
direct cost is shared by all the occupants of the
aircraft, pilot included and the number of
persons sharing the direct costs is limited
to six”.
The above means that every pilot without a
commercial licence, or a commercial aircraft
can take up to five passengers for a flight.
You don’t need an AOC to take passengers.
But the total costs of the flight have to be paid
by the six occupants of the aircraft, the pilot
included. In a biplane, the costs of the flight
have to be paid by the pilot and his passenger.
Why doesn’t the UK pick the fruits of the EU?
Henk Afink (your EU GA Annex II specialist),
Enschede, the NetherlandsWhy not follow the EU regs?
Quick repairs:
caveat aviator!
Many’s the time I have sought engineering
assistance from friendly flying clubs to help me
on my way when the trusty steed has gone tec
while away from home base. I single out Jersey
as the very best in this regard. Free of charge
repair to my collapsed nose wheel.
Sadly, the same cannot be said of the
Maintenance Organisation at the otherwise
completely excellent Weston Airfield in Ireland.
I suffered an intermittent fault on the alternator
leading to the low voltage light coming on about
ten minutes before arrival. I asked for help from
the engineer. Lovely guy. It appeared that there
was a loose connection which was duly
tightened. Ten minutes tops. LV light went out
on start up, off we went. LV light reappeared
over the city centre. Headed home anyway,
partly in radio silence...
The bill for the work was presented a few
days later. That’s ¤79.95, thanks very much.
Be warned! No favours in that neck of the
woods and a very frosty reply from the MD of the
maintenance team when seeking leniency. A four
letter word sprang to mind; rude.
Happy landings.
Ed, by email