This week has been an interesting one – with ‘my’ aeroplane out of action for her annual service I’d resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn’t really be having much Pitts involvement until well into the new year, but after a few friendly discussions with Al Coutts of the Wildcat Formation Display Team, an invitation over to Norfolk for a few days to see them and experience some formation flight materialised and so off I went.
I love Pitts Specials. I can’t really explain why, but I do. There is just something about these little biplanes that I absolutely adore, and so walking into a hangar with not one, but two beautifully shiny, matching Pitts S2’s was one of those ‘Wow!’ moments for me (I kept very quiet so as not to embarrass myself whilst I picked my jaw up off the floor).
The Wildcat team currently operate two Pitts Specials, an S2A and a more powerful S2B. Wildcat 2, (G-ZIII the S2B) has quite literally just returned to the air with a new paint scheme that now matches Wildcat 1. The photographs don’t do the pair justice – they really do look stunning in their metallic blues and whites. I was privileged enough to be allowed to look at and assist with some of the final bits and pieces being done on G-ZIII before her first flight yesterday, and I am going to now admit that as an engineer by profession, and a pilot by choice, being shown around and taught about some of the basic aircraft engineering bits on these planes, was something I really enjoyed and am keen to learn more about.
I’m currently going through a phase of doing some serious thinking about having my own aeroplane (or a share in one or something similar), and as such I spent a good deal of time talking to the guys about the kind of things I will need to know and what type of options I may have. Such advice and guidance is utterly invaluable, and I’m incredibly lucky to consider people like Al and Willie as friends (I just hope they see me in a similar light!!).
I also learned how painfully cold it is working on aeroplanes out in a hangar in the middle of December…brr.
I hadn’t been invited over just to look at the aeroplanes of course, the intention from the outset was that I would be given the chance to ride up front in one of the S2’s whilst they did a formation practice sortie. I can’t actually really describe how excited I was about this, having never flown formation of any kind before, let alone formation aerobatics. This kind of flying is something I dream of one day doing myself, and so to be given the chance to experience it in the capable hands of the Wildcat team was a real honour.
It had begun to look like the flight wouldn’t happen, due to the weather and a few other issues, but I was delighted to see clear skies on Thursday morning. I was even more delighted to be asked to head out with various cameras and video cameras to capture Willie’s first flight in the newly painted G-ZIII, before climbing into the front seat of Al’s aeroplane to go for a flight.
It was phenomenal. Seeing Wildcat 2 fall in behind us for the first time was an incredible feeling – I’ve never flown that close to another aircraft before, and whilst it felt a little unnerving initially, the capability of the two pilots and the clear link they have to each other when they’re flying (these guys really do gel as a team) soon had me feeling completely comfortable and just enjoying the ride and the views.
A few formation turns led on to a few formation loops and then barrel rolls – I enjoyed every second. Being that I fly aerobatics myself, I was able to focus on watching Wildcat 2 and seeing how tightly the pair managed to keep their formation as we flew the maneuvers – I knew what to expect and where we should be going and none of it held any fear for me, just a simple childlike joy at how amazing what we were doing really was.
As you can probably tell I loved it.
I would like to say a huge, huge thank you to Al and Willie of Wildcat Aerobatics, for granting me a glimpse into a world of which I would dearly love to be a part in a few years time, and for the help and advice they have given me (and I’m sure they will give me in the future). I look forward to meeting and flying with them again soon.
For more info on Wildcat and their first display season next year:
- Head over to their website: Wildcat Aerobatics
- Go and like them on Facebook
- And follow them on Twitter
Lauren – it was great to introduce you to our world and I’m sure that the Wildcat team will be seeing you at airshows in the very near future!
Wildcat 1
Hi Lauren,
As a sponsor of Wildcat I went down to see the guys the day after you, to look at where to put logos onto the beautiful new Pitts. Of course, Al and Willie couldn’t resist pouring me into the cockpit and giving me my very first experience of a) flying in an aeroplane that small and b) some amazing aerobatics.
I have never enjoyed an experience so much in my life! It was a sheer joy.
My thanks to the guys, we look forward to a long and exhilarating relationship with Wildcat Aerobatics. Simply amazing stuff.
Harry Greiner
City College Norwich