VULCAN TO HOWL OVER AIRSHOW AGAIN
THE PILOTS who fly the legendary Vulcan say they have responded to public demand for more noise from the mighty bomber.
Pilot Kev Rumens who will be flying the Cold War bomber at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire today (Saturday) says the team have introduced what they call a spiral climb into the display.
"The display we fly has not changed much from 2010 as we have to conserve life on the airframe and engines, but we have introduced a spiral, what we call a towering climb, to 5,000 feet, so we are climbing above the airfield and making more noise for the spectators.
"The public wanted more noise from the aircraft, and the spiral climb generates the Vulcan's howl."
Kev says the howl is generated by the engines when the Vulcan is flying at a slow airspeed. "The engines aren't getting the air they need so they start sucking air from above and below the wing, and that creates the bluenote. It's rather like when you blow air over a milk bottle!"
This year, the Vulcan will be flying with four crew, two pilots and two Air Electronics Officers (AEOs.) Kevin will be flying the display on the Saturday with co-pilot Phil O'Dell while Phil Davies and Martin Andrews will be AEOs. On Sunday, Falklands veteran Martin Withers will be at the controls with Bill Perrins in the right-hand seat.
E-tickets are still available for tomorrow (up to 9pm tonight) from the Air Tattoo website, here.
Tickets will not be available at the gate but can still be bought, subject to availability, at branches of Barclays Bank, Little Chefs and at Tourist Information Centres.
July 16, 2011
