The incredible Cobra Manoeuvre (Pugachev's Cobra)
The Cobra Manoeuvre, also known as Pugachev's Cobra or Pugachev Cobra is a very spectacular, dramatic and demanding aerobatics manoeuvre in which an aircraft flew at a moderate speed suddenly raises its nose to the vertical position - and beyond - before dropping the nose back to horizontal flight. The aircraft reaches 90–120° angle of attack during the Cobra.
The Cobra manoeuvre is named after the Soviet test pilot Viktor Pugachyov, who first performed the Cobra manoeuvre publicly in 1989 at the Paris Le Bourget air show, and shocked the Western spectators who couldn't believe it. The Soviet Union still existed at this time. However, the Cobra was first executed by Sukhoi test-pilot Igor Volk in a test flight. The classic Cobra was done using only standard aerodynamic controls. Today it is easier to be done with Vector Thrust.
The Cobra requires very potent engines to maintain approximately a constant altitude throughout the Cobra. It has some use in close range aerial combat or dogfight - so the hunted can become a hunter by getting behind the enemy aircraft. The Cobra can be useful when a fighter jet is being pursued closely by an opponent fighter jet. By executing the Cobra manoeuvre, a pursued fighter jet may suddenly slow down to the point where the enemy aircraft may overshoot it. The aircraft is now behind and pursuing and can theoretically fire its weapons. The disadvantage is that the aircraft doing the Cobra loses a lot of speed, which makes it vulnerable.
And it is a very impressive single demonstration flight aerobatics manoeuvre to show pilot's skills and the aircraft maneuvrability at airshows. If you have ever seen it for example at MAKS airshow in Zhukovsky near Moscow - and the reaction of the spectators - you know how popular it is. It is the perfect manoeuvre to show the pilot's skills and demonstrate an aircraft's high angle of attack (AOA) stability, the pitch control authority as well as engine-versus-inlet compatibility.
Nowadays the Cobra can be achieved more easily with the so-called supermaneuverability thanks to thrust vectoring in 4.5 and 5th-generation fighter jets.
Dogfight MiG-29 vs F-18 at Red October War Games
Who is better - the American built McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet or the Soviet counterpart, the Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum?
US F/A-18s took the chance to do a joint training with the German MiG-29s after the German reunification. The German Luftwaffe inherited the MiG-29s from the Air Forces of the National People's Army (East German Air Forces). So they became the first NATO MiG-29s, and allowed the NATO members to study the top weapon of the former Warsaw Pact countries. A lot of rumors have been spread about the capabilities of this top fighter jet - now they had the possibility to check and verify them.
In aerial combat, the Luftwaffe MiG-29s proved to be very dangerous, especially in close in maneuvering engagements. With the helmet mounted display (HMD) along with the Vympel R-73 (NATO reporting name AA-11 Archer) off-boresight short-range air-to-air missile, the MiG-29 Fulcrums had a clear advantage in dogfights over the Western counterpart, the US Air Force F/A-18 Hornet.
Interesting fact: The inventor and one of the pioneers in helmet mounted display technology was South Africa. In Angola, the South African system proved to be very efficient in combat by downing Soviet aircraft. The USSR then introduced a crash program to copy and improve the helmet mounted display (HMD) technology. This resulted in the MiG-29 with HMD in 1985, which cam along with a high off-boresight weapon (R-73). This dangerous combination gave the Soviets an advantage in dogfights.
Once its effectiveness was known through the access to the Soviet technology after the reunification and the access to the former East German MiG-29s, several nations responded with programs to counter the MiG-29-HMD-R-73 combination.
A similar training also took place in Switzerland - where Swiss Air Force F/A-18s flew against the German Luftwaffe MiG-29s. Swiss Pilots where similarly surprised about the MiG-29s qualities in a close dogfight: helmet mounted display and a superior maneuverability.
A user wrote us:
I have seen the official German report.The German fighter pilots took out the f18 in full out engagement without any problems. Then they where restricted so the Americans could do some 1v1 training sorties. As you might know the mig29 have absolutely no equal in close range and dogfight scenario agents US. That's because the Russians have very wide line of sight on they're close range it missiles. It can be fired while turning at 90 degree of set. Mig pilots have the advantage in helmet mounted sight that can lock targets and fire with just looking at it.Watch the full video if you can find it and you will see one German pilot shooting down 3 f18 in few seconds.The mig also out turns out ecselaretes and out climbs the f18.This combined with the best short range or missals in the world makes it the best jet for the time it was build and still can deal with pretty much any Western fighter.Don't forget that the Germans are using old versions of the mig29.The modern mig 29 have as good long range radar and missales as the Western top jets.
Zero Gravity - Weightlessness flight
Weightlessness flight in a huge Il-76 plane in Star City, near Moscow, Russia. The Il-76 aircraft flies 10 parabolas total - each allows for about 25-35s of total weightlessness.
The Russian Zero Gravity flights take place about 3 times a year and can be booked here:
There is also Weightless flights from different US locations - in the ZeroG Boeing 727. But the Russian ZeroG Il-76 is by far the largest weightlessness plane in the world.
The Il-76 is usually used for Cosmonaut training as well as Astronaut and ESA astronaut training from Star City, where they are prepared for the International Space Station ISS. The Il-76 only takes 14 passengers per flight (as opposed to the 36 the far smaller Boeing 727 takes) - so the experience is somewhat more intense and allows for huge space to float in weightlessness.
The Zero Gravity weightlessness flight must be applied for 45 days before the flight takes place. We organize transfers from your Moscow hotel and the whole experience takes a day, including all preparations. You need to do a short medical at your doctor to make sure you are good to go.
AIRPLANE CRASH COMPILATION - Horrible Aircraft Accidents & Aviation Disasters
Don't watch this video before going on a plane!!
Here's a list of airplane crashes that occurred in 2018:
January 13 – Pegasus Airlines Flight 8622, a Boeing 737-800, skids off the end of the runway at Trabzon Airport, Turkey and comes to rest on a cliff. All 168 passengers and crew survive without injury. The aircraft is written off.
February 11 – Saratov Airlines Flight 703, an Antonov An-148, crashes shortly after taking off from Domodedovo International Airport, Russia. All 71 passengers and crew are killed.
February 18 – Iran Aseman Airlines Flight 3704, an ATR 72-200 on a domestic flight in Iran, crashes into the Zagros Mountains killing all 60 passengers and 6 crew members on board.
March 12 – US-Bangla Airlines Flight 211, a Bombardier Q400 on an international flight from Dhaka to Nepal, crashes at Tribhuvan International Airport. 52 of the 71 people on board are killed.
April 17 – Southwest Airlines Flight 1380, a Boeing 737-700 en route over Bernville, Pennsylvania, suffers an engine failure at cruise altitude. Some debris enters the fuselage, causing substantial damage to the aircraft and loss of cabin pressure. The crew safely diverts to Philadelphia International Airport. 1 passenger is killed; another 7 are injured.
May 18 – Cubana de Aviación Flight 972, a Boeing 737-200/Adv, crashes shortly after takeoff from José Martí International Airport in Havana, Cuba. 112 of the 113 passengers and crew are killed; the sole survivor is seriously injured.
July 28 – Air Vanuatu Flight 241, an ATR 72-500, skids off the runway after a flight from Tanna to Port Villa, Vanuatu. 13 of the 43 people on board suffer minor injuries.
July 31 – Aeroméxico Connect Flight 2431, an Embraer ERJ-190AR, crashes into wooded terrain in Durango shortly after take-off from Durango International Airport. The aircraft is destroyed, but all 103 occupants survive.
August 10 – 2018 Horizon Air Q400 incident, a Horizon Air Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft registered N449QX, is stolen from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport with no passengers on board and later crashes on Ketron Island, killing the thief.
August 16 – Xiamen Airlines Flight 8667, a Boeing 737-800, crash-lands at Ninoy Aquino International Airport amidst heavy monsoon rains. The aircraft skids off the end of the runway. All 165 passengers and crew are unharmed.
September 1 – Utair Flight 579, a Boeing 737-800, overshoots the runway and catches fire while landing in Sochi International Airport, injuring 18 people. 1 airport employee dies of heart attack.
September 28 – Air Niugini Flight 73, a Boeing 737-800, lands short of the runway and comes to rest in a lagoon at Chuuk International Airport in the Federated States of Micronesia, 1 passenger dies whilst 34 others and 12 crew escape without serious injuries.
October 29 – Lion Air Flight 610, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, crashes into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta en route to Depati Amir Airport in Pangkal Pinang, Indonesia. All 189 passengers and crew are killed.
November 9 – Fly Jamaica Airways Flight 256, a Boeing 757-200, crash lands after returning to Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Guyana, after suffering a hydraulic failure 45 minutes after takeoff en route to Toronto. All on board initially survive, but 1 passenger dies a week later due to injuries sustained in the crash.
Insane Low Level Flying with Fighter Jets III
Third low level compilation by MiGFlug. More insanely low flybys - for example by a MiG-23 in Libya or the famous low level flying by the Argentinian FMA IA 63 Pampa - first from the ground and then the Cockpit view. We also show the low flyover after takeoff in the L-39 during BBC filming for Ben Fogle Year of Adventures.
See more insane low level flying here:
I:
II:
IV:
Classic MiG-15 Fighter Jet Rides
This video shows one of our flights in the legendary classic fighter jet Mikoyan MiG-15 Midget. The flight with the MiGFlug cstomer took place in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. This MiG-15 is the oldest fighter jet available for flights with Civilians - as it was the first mass-produced fighter jet that was broadly used in aerial battles - during the Korean War.
MiGFlug Fighter Jet Rides in Formation
Baltic Bees Aerobatics Display Jet Team fighter jet rides with MiGFlug - full lenght video. MiGFlug offers the possibility to fly with the world class aerobatics display team Baltic Bees in Riga, Latvia. From this very attractive Baltic city, you'll be able to perform stunning formation flights in groups of up to 6 flying customer per flight sortie, and well above 20 customers per day.
The crew will pick you up from your hotel in Riga for this stunning day of jet powered aerobatics. You can even control the fighter aircraft yourself during this breathtaking fighter jet ride with the Baltic Bees.
Learn more here:
Race Car driver Josh Cartu doing Stratosphere Flight in Supersonic Fighter Jet
Learn more:
The MiGFlug Edge of Space flight in the MiG-29 is probably the top adventure currently available worldwide - it's nuts! Up to 20km 65,000ft altitude, insane aerobatics with G-Forces over 9g, and a top speed of Mach 2.
It is the only possibility to break to sound barrier for Civilians, worldwide. There is no possibility to reach a higher speed than that. In fact, it is twice as fast as the next possibility for non military pilots.
And - you can control the MiG-29 up there, even if you are not a pilot!
But how does the Edge of Space flight day look like?
The Edge of Space flight program is as follows: The day starts usually at 09:00 - when you are picked up from your hotel by your charming interpreter and your personal driver. The limousine will bring you to Sokol Airbase, where the MiG-29UB two seater is produced. Actually, the MiG-29 you'll fly in later is the one that is being shown to potential customers. So it is always kept in perfect conditions. Now you'll be introduced to the crew and pilot, then a short medical check will ensure that you are in good conditions to do the flight. Enough sleep and no alcohol the night before is recommended.
Once the check is done, you'll continue with the flight preparations: During the briefing you'll discuss the flight program. You can let the pilot know how you'd like your Edge of Space program - especially the aerobatics part. Some want as much G's as possible, others want no aerobatics at all. But don't worry, since you probably don't know what you can stand - the flight program will be adapted once in the air, depending on how you'll feel. And the pilot will ask you regularly how you feel, so he can deliver the optimal flight program for you, custom-tailored to your preferences and condition.
After the briefing, you'll be fitted in G-suit and overall, and the helmet will be tried on and explained to you.
Now you are almost ready for the stratosphere! After being driven to the beautiful Mikoyan MiG-29UB Fulcrum, you'll do a walk around with the pilot, and do all the necessary checks. Now you'll climb into the cockpit and the crew will strap you down. Once you seat in the cockpit, the pilot will explain you all instruments - and how to use them. Remember, you'll have the possibility to fly the MiG-29 yourself. Once you are ready, the pilot will climb inside and the canopy closes and the incredibly loud Fulcrum engines are being tested.
Now the stratosphere flight starts. After taxiing to the runway, the engines get louder, and once the breaks are being released, the Fulcrum accelerates in a way you'll be pressed into your seat properly. But there is more to come.
After take off, the MiG-29 starts to climb with a climb rate of up to 330m/s. Isn't that insane? You are basically in a rocket.
You'll now fly all the way up to the Edge of Space, in a ballistic flight path. That's the only way to get that high as you'll be much higher than the service ceiling of the MiG-29 in the end. So the MiG-29 climbs with full power to that altitude - and with supersonic speed.
Once you have reached the stratosphere, you will stay there and enjoy the breathtaking view you have from there: The sky above is black. You can see a huge amount of stars even during the day. The Earth can be seen as a planet with the curvature, and it is wrapped in the blue fog of the atmosphere. Just as you know it from photos taken from space. It is described by customers as a life changing moment.
Now the way down starts. And with it, the aerobatics program. In fact, you'll be doing your own awesome airshow. Loops, rolls, inverse loops, turns, Tail slide, Hammerhead to finish off! And you'll be breaking the sound barrier again, with top speeds of up to 2450 km/h possible. And you'll get the control stick - you can fly the MiG-29 yourself.
After the flight, you'll receive a certificate with a proof of the top speed, altitude and G's you achieved.
The new video format with the outside cameras and the speed/height/G-Force indication can be ordered together with every MiG-29 flight now. Additional to the 3 outside cameras, there will also be 4 cameras inside and an additional camera man and photographer on the ground.
The video features Canadian Ferrari race car driver test pilot Josh Cartu, who booked his MiG-29 Edge of Space flight early 2015.
Video by Artur Sarkysian. A longer 7min version of Josh's flight is now available:
Bob doing Canyon Runs over Mojave desert - in a Fighter Jet!
Bob Radu from Turkey doing Canyon Runs over Mojave desert in a real Fighter Jet.
The Jet flown is the L-39 Albatros.
Bob wrote about his video: Despite looking very much like I wasn't enjoying it half the time, it was awesome and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Pulling Gs is no joke and this was only half what fighter pilots experience during a dogfight (just under 5 Gs).
Aerial maneuvers included:
Rolls
Barrel Roll
Chandelle (tactical turn)
Half split-S
Cuban 8
Loop
Immelmann
Mock ground attack (with a vertical egress)
Low-level canyon flying
Tree-top low-level pass
All in all a wonderful experience thanks to a great pilot. Hopefully I can do it again.
Bob also wrote a feedback:
*Once in a lifetime*
I took an L-39 Albatros flight in California through MiGFlug and it was a great experience, one, that despite the title of the review, I hope to do again some day. The whole process was very easy, in scheduling and at the airport. My pilot was very friendly and accommodating. He answered all my questions and let me know what the flight would entail start to finish. I felt safer than I did on any commercial flight despite all the aerobatics. It was all quite the rush and a great experience.
I would definitely recommend springing for the video option. It is pricey, but well worth it. Maybe one day I will splurge for the MiG-29.
Civilian Edge of Space flight in the MiG-29 Fulcrum
Learn more:
The fabolous Edge of Space flight in the Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum supersonic jet, up to an altitude of 23,000m or 75,500ft. The Edge of Space flight takes place on Sokol Airbase in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. The new Edge of Space flight video with outside cameras can be watched here:
These Edge of Space flights enable you to go as high as you can get as a Civilian. and at the same time, it is the fastest speed you can achieve. And the only possibility nowadays to break the sound barrier and fly at supersonic speed - worldwide! Again: Currently it is not possible for civilians to go higher than the MiG-29 Edge of Space altitude. And it is not possible to fly faster than the MiG-29 (up to Mach 2!). The view that customers have at the Edge of Space is fascinating: The sky above is very dark, almost black. With countless stars. The atmosphere far below looks like a blue fog. And you can clearly see the curvature of the earth. Stunning, extraordinary, marvellous, incredible, phenomenal, mind-blowing and life changing are words used by past Edge of Space customers to describe this experience.
But how does it work to fly to the Edge of Space as a Civilian customer? How can you even get into a supersonic fighter jet without being a military fighter pilot? That's possible as you have a very professional, experienced MiG-29 test pilot with you. Before the flight you'll get a cockpit and flight system training, so you know how to fly the MiG-29 yourself. And you'll be able to control the jet during part of the flight!
Another question often asked is: But how does the MiG-29 Fulcrum even climb to that altitude? That's a smart question, after all the service ceiling of the legendary MiG-29 is significantly lower than the altitude reached during an Edge of Space flight. The answer might be surprising to you: You are kind of sitting in a flying cannon ball during your stratospheric MiG-29 flight. As it is climbing with full afterburner it overshoots and gets much higher than the service ceiling. The MiG-29 is climbing to that Edge of Space flight altitude at supersonic speed and at a climb rate up to 330m/s - in a ballistic flight path.
It is very important that Edge of Space flights are don during the winter. The MiG-29 can climb much higher when the air is cold. The difference can be as much as 3km (10,000 ft).
Aerobatics is also included in the flight:
- Rolls
- Immelman
- Looping
- Split-S
- Vertical dive
- SportyCurves
- Tail-Slide
- Zero Gravity parabola
...and much more!
Interested?