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Display Routine
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Display Routine

The overall design of the main sequence is to exploit the full energy available with the Extra at the lowest safe altitude as close to the audience as regulations allow. A style that creates an exciting presentation quite different in comparison with the disciplines required for world class competition. Click on the numbers for brief explanatory notes.

1) B Axis Vne dive into opening 'pillar' figure based on Eric Muller's 'Spiral Tower'. A +8 entry to a vertical four-point roll followed immediately by negative snap rolls going right. As speed decays to zero a series of control inputs needed to flatten the spin. With full power still applied, gyroscopic forces take over to 'helicopter' the Extra on the spot until gravity takes over and a positive flat spin develops. The most complex of compound figures using all the energy available and the entire height band (starting at base of around 100'agl to a top height around 2500').

2) Recover on the A-axis into wind for a compound half cuban loop with a 'somersault' at the top. Basically a negative snap roll in knife-edge where the gyro forces off the prop contrive to bury the nose under itself whilst generating substantial oblique angles of attack. All very technical and needs to be flown gently for it to succeed. The effect is startling to look at, as it appears the Extra is tumbling nose over tail. This can be modified in terms of number of rotations according to wind conditions and weather (also depends on how sharp I feel too...).

3) Another half cuban compound completing the 'horizontal eight' but simpler this time. Intended as an energy gaining turn-round figure back into wind. Essentially an avalanche finishing in the down 45 line inverted.

4) Pushing to a vertical four-point roll and stall turn. Entry speed required about 180kts and the heaviest push in the entire programme, about -5. Restore eyeballs to normal position, I need them to time a vertical down snap (one and a half rotations) and see my exit gate for another high-energy combination.

5) A climbing 45 line with two rapid spot rolls left followed by one and a half positive snaps right. If I time it correctly, there is just enough speed left to gently push round the top in a 'P' loop inverted. Only achievable with a ton of right rudder to gyro the nose down to the vertical.

6) Another energy gaining half cuban figure. I don't need to fly down to base height or need too much speed (usually about 170kts). A quick half roll inverted and push round an outside multiple avalanche. Again the scope to 'dump' rotations depending on wind strength. The idea is to establish plenty of oomph in the recovery down 45 line.

7) Need at least 190kts and +7g for a downwind vertical 'S' flown inside then outside with a half roll out in the vertical. Sounds simple but has the greatest potential for 'g-Loc' coming out if I don't pay attention to the correct body straining.

8) Fly down to base height at 180kts for a central vertical roll into a torque roll tailslide. Usually expect to gain about 2000' with some four and a half vertical rolls before the Extra stops. This is where the panel of instruments become redundant - all concentration focused on the white shoe lace attached to the end of the sighting rod to tell me when the airflow reverses. The torque is continuing the roll but going backwards. Slam the throttle shut and centralise controls to stop the roll and wait for the nose to swap ends. Sometimes the swing is enough to glimpse the horizon 'above' the nose.

9) Recover on the 'B' axis for a cross-box half cuban with somersault. A repeat of figure 2 but gives another opportunity to view the tumble from head-on. I tend to minimise the rotations giving me time to assess wind drift and position.

10) Back to crowd centre for another vertical combination. Not so much energy this time so I adapt accordingly. A vertical roll followed by a positive vertical snap, rotations are dependent on what speed I have on entry. Push or pull over a humpty top with a down vertical three-quarter roll to exit into wind. Essentially an assessment figure to build energy and position for Figure 11.

11) This shape resembles an inverted 'P' - a roll off the top into a tailslide. I need at least 180kts with +6g to execute the figure cleanly. It needs all the power I can get to correctly time the different phases as I want to end up with the belly facing into wind as I shut the throttle for the tailslide. The slide is 'canopy up' as I want to exploit the swing using power to catch the recovery on the inverted down 45. Definitely a figure relying on 'grunt'.

12) Figure 12 is a breather for me. It still needs 190kts and a hefty pull to manage a clean vertical eight-point roll. Should have just enough to stall turn and check topping height. A nice long vertical dive to build energy for another cuban combination.

13) This is really an oblique figure of eight occupying the main axis. A sharp pull to the 45 from base height for a climbing 4 pointer. Looking for a minimum of 120kts to fly round a half loop. Immediately half roll left and a triple snap right on the descending 45 line. Continue the pull to finish level inverted just before centre point.

14) The slowest part of the programme but can still use the amazing roll capability to my advantage whilst ploughing back into wind. One and half roll left with one and half snap right finishing with a climbing 45 roll to get a final burst of high energy to finish.

15) A reverse half-cuban compound this time. A four point climbing roll into a multiple avalanche or cascade. Reasonably simple to fly (I'm getting tired now) but care must be exercised to visually check the 'picture'. Don't normally have time to scan the altimeter for topping height and I must ensure clearance for the pull though. Definitely a figure demanding experience and correct entry speeds to achieve the right trade (speed for height).

16) My last tumbling figure entered at 170 kts minimum. A double vertical roll into a Lomcevak at the top. Easy to get disorientated here but I reverse the rudder at a critical point to make the Extra fall into an outside spin. Makes the task of spotting my exit heading a bit easier to see.

17) A really simple cloverleaf at the upwind end contains the Extra within the parameters of the display box and sets me up nicely for a concluding flyby.

18) After some seven minutes of intense concentration and high workload - time for a bit of showmanship. A knife edge pass at slightly above base height to show off the clean lines of the Extra 300/L. Actually not quite straightforward as one thing the Extra doesn't do as well as (say) a Pitts, is fly on its side. Exit the stage (breathing heavily)...

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