“choreography of the sky at its absolute, perfect, pinnacle”
Tim Callaway is a pilot, aviation author and publisher, Air Traffic Controller and aviation historian who was commentator for the Firebird Aerobatics Duo Display. We asked him for his thoughts about the sequence and this is what he told us!
In the middle of 1996, the Firebird Aerobatics company was enjoying tremendous success and international fame with its variety of solo and team displays. However, the leader of the company and doyen of British aerobatics, Brian Lecomber, had a problem. His wingman in the Rover Group Aerobatic Team, Al Wade, was forced to leave the team for personal reasons. This was after only a year and a half of their three year contract and right in the middle of the display season, so a replacement was desperately sought
As is often said, “cometh the hour, cometh the man”, in this case the extremely tall and softly spoken John Taylor. John’s background in aerobatic flying, innovative display creation and team development made John the ideal candidate.
His interview for the job can only be described as unusual, consisting as it did of a ten minute aerobatic sortie as wingman and a chat about whether or not John had the kind of support at home necessary for him to adopt the life of a gypsy air display pilot!
What is largely unknown is that Brian had originally intended to fly the interview sortie in echelon formation in order to make it easier on the new guy, who was also new to the mid-winged Extra 300, at the time the acme of aerobatic aircraft. During the extensive briefing for the flight, John demurred, suggesting it was better to start as they meant to continue, so the sortie should be flown in its usual, and far more demanding, line abreast formation. After the flight, Al Wade confided in me that John’s request really surprised both Brian and himself, but as he put it; “The man has really got it! That was impressive!” Suffice to say, John got the job and training flights began immediately.
The Rover Group Aerobatic Team continued until the end of the 1997 season, and Brian and John cemented the team’s already excellent reputation with a number of trophies and awards, thrilling the crowds across Europe with such unusual manoeuvres as the mirror loop, line abreast stall turns, rolling crosses and seemingly effortless tight formation aerobatics.
With the end of the Rover Group Team, Brian began a search for a new team sponsor, finding success in 2000 with the launch of the Microlease Aerobatic Team. Of course, John was his first choice as wingman, such was the rapport the two pilots had built up in their hundreds of hours of practice and display flying. The new team would also build on their earlier displays and harnessing the increased performance and capabilities of two brand new Extra 300Ls.
The punishing training schedule, combined with a close understanding between the two pilots of what they were trying to achieve, resulted in the finest aerobatic display team of its time. This was evident from the number of trophies the Team were awarded in just their first few weeks of displays, including the Biggin Hill Air Fair’s Shell Trophy for best team display, then the RAF Waddington International Air Show’s award for best overall display.
The display was an astounding thing to witness, for the first time in my long air show career I saw two aircraft being flown in complex and aggressive aerobatic manoeuvres as if they were one, the choreography of the sky at its absolute, perfect, pinnacle.
The team display remains a source of conversation amongst air display aficionados to this day, such was its innovation and impact. What was most interesting for me was that the two men who could work in such perfect harmony and close proximity were so very different people. Brian, short, pugnacious and blunt beyond the point of rudeness when he felt it was required, yet generous and giving of his knowledge and experience with a leadership style and care for his people that was second to none. John, tall, quietly spoken, calm and kind even when faced with idiots such as myself, with an ability to communicate the sheer joy and love of flying to anyone who crossed his path and a gentle good humour that made you feel like you were in the company of a friend within minutes of meeting him.
Different people they may have been, but Brian Lecomber and John Taylor created a seamless airshow legend, one which will be long talked about and remembered by all who had the privilege to witness it.
