On the opening day of the 2023 AERO Asia on November 23rd, three aerobatic teams from around the world dazzled spectators with thrilling performances, presenting an aerial ballet.

"Fly-by Knights" makes debut in China

In the morning at around 10 AM, the European aerobatic team “Fly-by Knights” made their debut in China. Formed in 2019, this team, composed of pilots from England and France, has showcased their skills in over 20 countries across five continents. Pilot John Dodd expressed his delight at participating in the Zhuhai airshow, emphasizing the vibrant culture and energy of China.

Performing in a diamond formation with four EXTRA300 planes, the team executed maneuvers under multiple gravitational forces, creating mesmerizing aerial displays with ribbon-like patterns in the sky.

The "Knights" concluded their performance with a series of classic four-plane formations, including the breathtaking “Falling Leaves” maneuver, earning cheers from the audience. The 950-kilogram EXTRA300 aeroplanes maneuvered through the sky like falling leaves, delivering a breathtaking and cool performance. Spectators exclaimed, "Completing this maneuver is like magic," highlighting the challenging nature of the aerobatic display.

In a romantic finale, the four planes split into two groups, crafting two hearts in the sky - an exclusive and romantic gesture for Zhuhai, the city of romance.

Phoenix tail unveiled, Sunward Aerobatic Team showcases skills

As the first domestic aerobatic team, the Sunward Aerobatic Team took to the skies around 10:40 AM. Flying in a tight diamond formation, the four planes trailed white smoke in intricate patterns, executing figure-eight maneuvers at a hundred meters above the ground. It was a challenging feat, especially for the tailplane maneuvering through the wake turbulence of the preceding three aircraft.

The most spectacular moment occurred around 11 AM when the four planes, facing the audience in a horizontal formation, separated one by one. The smoke trails converged to form a phoenix-tail shape, a customized highlight for this airshow.

Continuous thrills in aerial performances

On the opening day, the “Divine Eagle of South China Sea,” the 1st Rescue Flight Team of the South China Sea of the Chinese Ministry of Transport, presented a unique emergency rescue demonstration.

Captain Chen Xiankai piloted an S76D medium helicopter, showcasing low-altitude flight, tight turns, and rescue operations. Simultaneously, a large EC225 rescue helicopter performed firefighting tasks, circling the audience with a water-bucket attachment for a dramatic water dispersal operation.

From November 23rd to 26th, five aerobatic teams, including the European “Fly-by Knights,” Sunward Aerobatic Team, and the 1st South China Sea Rescue Flight Team, will take turns in the sky, presenting 70-minute aerial performances and rescue drills each day.

Source: Yangcheng Evening News

图集丨炫技蓝天！中外飞行表演队在珠海上演“空中芭蕾”

11月23日，2023亚洲通用航空展开幕日现场，来自国内外3支飞行表演队以惊险刺激的表演劲舞长空，为观众献上一部“空中芭蕾”。

“穿越骑士”中国首秀

当天上午10时许，欧洲“穿越骑士”飞行表演队拉开了表演序幕，这是该飞行表演队的来华“首秀”。据了解，该飞行队成立于2019年，由英法两国飞行员组成，曾在五大洲20多个国家进行过现场表演。飞行员John Dodd表示，他非常高兴来到中国珠海参加亚洲通航展，感受中国的文化与活力。

现场，四架EXTRA300飞机呈菱形编队升空，在空中拉出一圈圈“丝带”，飞行员承受着数倍重力的载荷，为观众呈现出精彩的空中表演。

随后，“骑士们”带来了四机编队的系列经典动作。其中，“落叶飘”这一表演赢得了观众们的阵阵欢呼——950公斤的EXTRA300飞机如落叶一般在天空中，炫酷且惊心动魄。不时有观众惊呼：“能完成这个动作可不容易。”

在表演的结尾，四架飞机分成两组，在空中“画”下了两颗爱心，用飞行表演队独有的浪漫送给珠海这座浪漫之城。

凤尾开屏，山河炫技

作为国内第一支运动飞机表演队，10时40分许，山河飞行表演队4架飞机相继升空。随着高度逐渐升高，4架密集菱形编队的飞机拉着白色的烟带出现在观众视线中，在百米水平高度做八字飞行。菱形编队驾驶难度非常大，而难度最大的是尾机，由于受到前面三架飞机的尾流扰动，要保持紧密队形和速度，整齐划一地进行表演，是非常难得的。

最精彩的一幕来自11时许，四架飞机以横行编队面向观众，随后逐一脱离编队，烟带在空中形成类似凤凰尾巴的造型，这是该飞行表演队为本次航展定制的“凤尾”。

空中表演精彩不断

开幕日首日，被誉为“南海神鹰”的交通运输部南海第一救助飞行队为观众带来了一场别开生面的应急救援演练。

南海第一救助飞行队搜救机长陈先凯驾驶着S76D中型直升机，经过一段低空飞行后，小半径转弯回到停机坪，开展超低空悬停、释放悬索和救生员救助等动作。另一边，EC225大型救助直升机同时进行消防灭火任务。飞机外挂着消防吊桶，围绕观众席盘旋一周，实施洒水作业。

据悉，11月23日至26日，欧洲“穿越骑士”飞行表演队、山河飞行表演队、交通运输部南海第一救助飞行队等5支队伍轮番上阵，每天进行70分钟的飞行表演和救援科目演练。

文丨记者 郑达 李旭
图丨记者 蔡嘉鸿
翻译丨刘佳慧
责编丨古司祺
校对丨桂晴