China: Russian Air Force's stunt fly show (with a Russian babe as a pilot)

People's Daily Online ^ | March 19, 2006

[TigerLikesRooster]

Russian Air Force's stunt fly show

   

Two SU-27 fighter jets perform during a fly show in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2006. The 2006 Russian Air Force Tianmenshan stunt fly show officially started on Saturday afternoon at the Lotus airport in the city of Zhangjiajie.

Five SU-27 fighter jets perform during a fly show in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2006. The 2006 Russian Air Force Tianmenshan stunt fly show officially started on Saturday afternoon at the Lotus airport in the city of Zhangjiajie.

A SU-30 fighter jet performs during a fly show in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2006. The 2006 Russian Air Force Tianmenshan stunt fly show officially started on Saturday afternoon at the Lotus airport in the city of Zhangjiajie.

A SU-30 fighter jet (bottom) and an IL-78 refueling tanker perform in-flight refueling during fly show in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2006. The 2006 Russian Air Force Tianmenshan stunt fly show officially started on Saturday afternoon at the Lotus airport in the city of Zhangjiajie.

Svetlana Kapanina, a Russian aviator, conducts her first test-flying in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2006. Kapanina arrived at the Hehua airport in Zhangjiajie Saturday and finished her first test-flying.

Svetlana Kapanina, a Russian aviator, arrives at the Hehua airport in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2006. Kapanina finished her first test flying after her arrival.

Svetlana Kapanina (L), a Russian aviator, smiles in her plane at the Hehua airport in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2006. Kapanina finished her first test-flying Saturday.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Hmm.. so she flies a propeller plan not Sukhoi-30. Well, no matter.:)

[TigerLikesRooster]

better Russian babe

[Names Ash Housewares]

Pretty sure this is the same pilot in this vid....

http://www.alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/Videos/2006-Japanese-Aerobatics.wmv

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #3

Awesome maneuvers. Svetlana is doing great. Thanks for the link.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

Kind of odd how the lettering is in english if its a russian airshow in china?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #5

They must have international spectators in mind when they do international tours. Here is Svetlana's bio:

PILOT STORY
By winning the 2005 World Aerobatic Championship in the female category for the 5th time and finishing fourth overall (including men), Svetlana Kapanina confirmed she was the best female aerobatic pilot of all times.

Only three pilots won more than once the world title in their category: one man, Peter Jirmus (CZE) in 1984 and 1986, and two women, Betty Stewart (USA) in 1980 and 1982, and Catherine Maunoury (FRA) in 1988 and 2000. That gives an idea of Svetlana's outstanding achievements.

In 1987 Svetlana graduated from medical school , speciality - pharmacist. The following year she started flying in Kurgan, by 1991 she was a member of the Russian Aerobatic Joint Crew and by 1995 she had graduated from Kaluga Pilot’s School. Although she believed she would never devote her life to flying, what started out as a hobby has turned into serious work as an aerobatic professional.

It has not taken her long to join the world's elite aerobatic pilots. Perhaps her training as a gymnast and many hours on the trampoline has contributed to her success, without requiring so many flight hours.

In 1991, she was Absolute Champion of Russia and in 1993 she won silver at the European Aerobatic Championships, her first international aerobatic contest. She was awarded the medal “For Service To Motherland” in 1995 and “Award of Honor” in 2002.

Today, Svetlana has been awarded 30 Gold medals in World Championships and is the one and only pilot to be 4 times World Champion (1996-1998-2001-2003).

Even with her busy schedule she has still had time to start her family. Giving birth to a son in 2002 and a daugher in 2004.

She trains within the Russian National Team structure and attends the 24 hour daily residence training camp at Borki Airport, not far from Moscow.

Total flying hours	1'210
Nationality	Russian
Date of birth	28.12.1968
Place of birth	Schuchinsk, Republic of Kazakhstan
Resident	Kurgan, Russia
Marital status	Married with 2 children
Interests	Spending a great time with family & friends
Aircraft	Sukhoi 26 / Sukhoi 29 / Sukhoi 31
FAI World Grand Prix results
Medals - World Aerobatic Champion

[TigerLikesRooster]

[madconserv]

This might be a dumb ?, but does anyone know if America was evey invited to do an airshow in China? Love those blue Angels.

[Schwaeky]

who wants to bet this russkie lass will defect to the USA to move up in rank and cross into the blue... I know they had a similar program in the cold war when we had lots of defections, we gained talent AND intelligence in the ranks of the US armed forces..

I agree though... Sharapova looks better though..

[John Valentine]

Hey there, Mr. Tiger - that propellor plane is a Sukhoi Su-26, generally considered to be one of the best, if not THE best, aerobatic monoplane in the world.

It's flown by the Honda aerobatic team among others.

http://www.hondadreamteam.com/team.htm

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #10

An interesting but confusing labeling scheme.:) It fooled me.

[spetznaz]

Bump

[Erasmus]

You gotta have balls to pose like that.

[MindBender26]

Svetlana Kapanina is best woman aerobatics pilot in world. World's Champion 4 times!

[Capriole]

Your opinion, please?

[RightOnline]

Just one word.............YOWzah..................

[GarySpFc]

There are many Russians who love their country and would never think of defecting.

[luvbach1]

Too cute!

[luvbach1]

Svetlana chosen for her looks?

[luvbach1]

Kind of odd how the lettering is in English if its a Russian air show in china?

Perhaps it's because English is the closest thing around to an international language. Also, safe to assume a lot more Chinese understand English than Russian.