Comparison of flights
Indian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
- Thread starter bd popeye
- Start date
1. An ex-PLAAF vlogger speculates the pilot was attempting a "Horizontal 8" maneuver: Right turn -> Right roll -> Left turn + climb. He suspects a rookie error where the pilot pulled back on the stick while inverted, causing a dive and massive altitude loss. However, he ignores the routine from the previous two days, which was simply: Right turn -> Level out -> Left turn + climb.
2. Compared to the 2022 Singapore Airshow, the left turn back then was a climb on full AB. This time, no AB. Also, mist/fluid was seen venting from the tail section upon going inverted. Since he managed to level the wings, control surfaces were clearly functional. Points more towards engine failure.
3. Judging by the sink rate, ejection was already out of the envelope the moment he went inverted. Even after leveling out, the descent rate was estimated at 70-90m/s. The seat only provides ~15-20m/s vertical velocity. Even if he pulled the handle then, the vector would have driven him straight into the ground.
4. RIP to the pilot.
2. Compared to the 2022 Singapore Airshow, the left turn back then was a climb on full AB. This time, no AB. Also, mist/fluid was seen venting from the tail section upon going inverted. Since he managed to level the wings, control surfaces were clearly functional. Points more towards engine failure.
3. Judging by the sink rate, ejection was already out of the envelope the moment he went inverted. Even after leveling out, the descent rate was estimated at 70-90m/s. The seat only provides ~15-20m/s vertical velocity. Even if he pulled the handle then, the vector would have driven him straight into the ground.
4. RIP to the pilot.
Last paragraph from the article.
The Chinese are still at a disadvantage because their planes can only take off partially loaded from the air bases on the Tibetan plateau, so they have to come in from far away with the help of refuelers. The Chinese still rely on a robust system of radars and other air defence systems. UAVs have been deployed in significant numbers, giving them an edge that can make up for the fact that aircraft in Tibetan airspace cannot take off with a full load.
If true, then pretty damning. Not only has India been forced to accept massive delays in engine deliveries from the US but perhaps those engines don't even work that well. Of course, none of this excludes the possibility of a pilot error compounding the issue.
All in all, it feels like IAF is the "problem child" of the Indian armed forces. You don't hear these kinds of problems pop up in the other service branches on a regular basis.
I def recall someone earlier on this forum say that those air bases are also high up in the mountains while Indians are trying to fight from the bottom and therefore is already at such a disadvantage that China jets could take off partially loaded and still feel comfortable.