30 August 2022, Latina Airport
After the visit to the structures of the 70th Wing and the description of its activities (you can find the article which), what could be the best way to "experience first-hand" the real efficiency of the aircraft if not a flight? Maybe in training?
And here I am!
In the morning at 07:00, once again in front of the entrance to the “Comani” waiting for entry. As last time, the registration procedures are quick and we quickly head towards the planes.
But first I have to get dressed: flight suit and shoes, elmetto Gentex Alpha 400 and parachutes: I don't know if it's the heat or the emotion but, even if it's early in the morning, the question is starting to make me sweat.
Short briefing on safety procedures and together with the other crews we head to the aircraft.
Today I will be one of the first to board and, aided by the Patient Specialist, to tie me to the seat with the belt a 5 points avoiding twisting too much. The headphone and microphone plugs in the helmet are also connected to me.
I'm sitting on the left, I have the trusty Canon in my hand and I'm trying to "take measurements" of what I'll have to do and see in a few minutes.
What does the flight involve?? In a few days the change of command at the top of the 207th Group will take place (you can find the Air Force press release which) and a formation flight is expected 4 aircraft.
Diamond formation, n° 1 the current Commander and n 4 the successor. After a walk through the square with all the staff lined up, the formation will head towards an established point and, achieved it, it will return to the airport from a different direction and make a pass in front of the deployment. Just before flying over it, the outgoing commander will "leave" the formation with a steep climb and the incoming commander will "take over" from n. 4 a n° 1 of the remaining lineup of 3. I believe it is useless to underline the strong symbolic meaning of this gesture.
Well…..I will participate in this event from a privileged position. As I had already seen previously, the controls are very fast and the pilots sit quickly in their seats (definitely quicker than me).
I follow the conversations on the radio between the pilots. The formation will be called Gold and we will be Gold 3. Calls always start from Gold 1 and the pilots respond in sequence: “OK Gold 2”……”3”……”4”. The engines are started and I'm told to lower my head to slide the roof almost closed.
Our Crew Chief signals us that we can move and, after letting Gold pass 1 e Gold 2 we get in before Gold 4, taxiing to the holding point. The planes are arranged in a herringbone pattern for the engine test. All throttle and magnet test, Everything is OK.
Meanwhile, communications continue in the headphones and I hear the Tower authorizing us to take off 2 sections: we will be the Leaders of the second section e, after takeoff, we will have to reunite with the first.
Always preceded by Gold 1 and 2 we enter the track and stand on the right, con Gold 4 to the left, a few meters further back.
I 2 aircraft in front of us release their brakes and I see them go away.
Throttle full forward, wheels blocked and I have time to see my driver lowering his head: is the signal to his wingman.
Let's take off the brakes and let's get started: the acceleration is powerful and in no time I find myself in the air with another plane very close, just behind, which swings slightly to our left, as if held in place by invisible threads.
We are approaching Gold 1 and 2 and, with mastery, we fit into place. It's the first time I've flown with others 3 aircraft so close and, I assure you, there is no video on YouTube that matters: it's an indescribable feeling!
The formation heads towards Sermoneta to make a large turn which takes us back in the direction of the airport from which we left. The sky is a blinding blue but towards the ground there is a bit of mist which however is not disturbing. The first passage is parallel to the square where the deployment will be located and then takes us towards the city of Latina and, reached the Tango point, turn and return towards the airport in a direction practically orthogonal to the first passage. We are flying over the runway when the n 1 suddenly nosedives, 2 and 3 they widen imperceptibly and 4, passing through it, becomes no 1.
I've always seen it done from the ground but, see it from here, it's something else entirely!
We turn and head back towards Sermoneta to reunite with Gold 1 and make another pass. Training remains at 3 for a while but we immediately begin the approach with the Commander's '260 which doesn't take long to appear from afar. We reunite and start the tour again: this time I'm preparing for a separation video.
I hear the satisfaction of the chariot on the ground in my headphones: so good, you will have to repeat it exactly in this way.
Staying in 3, after a short tour we land with the classic flyover of the runway followed by separation. We are n 3 and therefore the last to turn. I see the 1 going, after 3 seconds the 2 and I still get caught unprepared by the sudden climb-up turn and the related ones 3 G.
The camera falls out of my eye and my head weighs a lot, but it's a moment. We enter the circuit and in a few seconds our wheels are on the ground. We immediately open the canopy and a breath of fresh air bursts into the cockpit, I realize it now, it's really hot. The road to reach the shelter is short and soon the roar of the Lycoming calms down and gives way to silence.
It's over.
The roof opens completely and I can untie myself and get down to the ground. The t-shirt under the suit is soaked, I take off my helmet and the wind gets through my wet hair.
What can I say... a fantastic experience, completed in the midst of formidable professionals who, in this case, they ensure a fundamental service to the Air Force: select without error the best boys who will become, in turn, as many formidable professionals in the various specialties of the Armed Forces.
I'm 7 Instructor Pilots, one for all, all for one: the last photograph is for them and for all their colleagues who carry out their precious work. Thank you!
And now enjoy all the photos
AviaSpotter.it would like to thank: The General Staff of the Air Force for authorizing the flight activity, the Commander of the 70th Stormo Col. Pil. Joseph BELLOMO, the Maj. Stefano HEAD (the Chief of General Office, 2° Office), Lieutenant Colonel Damiano T. (then outgoing commander of the 207th Group), Major Nicola C. (then commander of the GIP and incoming commander of the 207th Group) and all the instructor pilots of the training, in particular Major Massimiliano S. who piloted the 70-24 on which I was on board, the P.I. Officer. Major Giangiuseppe Luisi, Captain Assunta F. and Lieutenant Marco C. for their welcome and constant support during the preparation of the report.
Text and Photos by/Text and images by Fabio Tognolo.
