Ken wrote:
Thank you for sharing that flight! I fully echo your feelings on the value of a Lazy 8. The USAF method took it one step farther by asking the pilot to match bank with degrees of turn (10 degrees of turn, 10 degrees of bank, 90 degrees of turn, 90 degrees of bank) and to modulate the pitch such that you were on the horizon at the start, at your highest pitch after 45 degrees of turn, passing through the horizon at the 90, lowest pitch at 135, and back to the horizon at the 180. These targets are all fine and good, but the precision required takes a bit of fun out of the maneuver and really slows it down at the entry and exit- I much prefer your style. Ken
Yes, I was taught that too during my Citabria checkout when I was 18. Very much a precision maneuver. But with the warbirds I prefer to use it as a coordination exercise, and although the bank is steep at the 90 point, it's only 70 degrees or so.
I didn't do them all that well in this Hurri video -- still exploring the aeroplane and the way this one is rigged.
It's also my main airshow display maneuver for when I don't have an aerobatic card. (SAC) In my videos you can see me doing it the Lysander and the Spitfire -- same thing, different aircraft. It keeps you front-and-center, and for the crowd you're always changing the pitch, bank, and the engine noise is also always increasing or decreasing. Good for a low-show as well.
I stole it from Bud Granley.