Virtual Thunderbirds in Line Abreast

[LawnDart]

If there is one maneuver in flightsimming that is the nemisis for everyone in it, it has to be the Line Break Loop (Trail is tough, but take that times 10 in this maneuver). Essentially, a line abreast formation the Thunderbirds perform it with a 5-ship, straight up the Solo rolls 180 degrees and pulls away in his own loop meeting the diamond back at show center for a crossover hit. The loop(s) turn out looking like a heart with the smoke trails in the sky. Once the solo is separated from the line abreast, the remaining pilots reform the diamond up-side-down, in the float of the loop. An extremely hard maneuver for #4 who has to go from the far left abreast, down, back and up into slot as the formation is coming over the top of the loop. This maneuver is really hard in a sim, since you have litterally no inside reference to your roll, pitch or power from the cockpit while in line abreast. It requires very precise control movements with rudder, power and ailerons to maintain distance, fore/aft spacing and wings alligned with the formation.

 

Here are some pics from one of our practices (one pilot short, with 4 planes in a line abreast loop). More to come later...

 

Lawndart

 

Near to far: #2 Burner, #1 Bon Jobie, #3 Toast, #6 Lawndart

 

Near to far: #6 Lawndart, #3 Toast, #1 Bon Jobie, #2 Burner

 

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