Patrouille de France low pass over Paris, cockpit view (September 14th 2024)

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Befuddled_Scrotum@reddit

Forgive the ignorance but what’s it like to fly that close? I’m no aerodynamicist but isn’t there a wake of air as well as high power exhaust air for each aircraft to deal with? How is it so smooth

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anonduplo@reddit

There is a lot of wake, especially from this close. This being said, the Alphajet was chosen for its reduced turbulences in its wake, which makes it easier for close maneuvers.

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morane-saulnier@reddit

Interesting! So that's why the Alpha Jet was chosen. Hmm?

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Intelligent-Hand1676@reddit

With that username I feel like you might have had some skin in the game. Was your design overlooked? 😂

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morane-saulnier@reddit

Ha! Finally someone with a sense of humor. Judging by the downvotes there seems to be a shortage in that department.

Seriously though. That the Alpha Jet was chosen because its downwash (wake) characteristics is completely ridiculous. In the end it's all about the economics of it.

Not every country can afford to pull frontline fighters from active roles to go prance around. The US can, however even in that case it can be argued that after modifications those F/A-18s and F-16s are combat ready (FBW software and combat interface altered, air refueling and weapons hardware removed etc).

But thanks, they should've used the Morane-Saulnier family (SOCATA) TB-30 Epsilon instead. Even less wake, LOL, but not as exciting. À bientôt!

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donkeyrocket@reddit

Do the aircraft have any sort of proximity sensors to one another that would automatically avoid a potential collision? or is this purely the pilot in control and visual checking?

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foxbat_s@reddit

The only proximity sensor here is the good ol Mk1 Eyeball

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windowpuncher@reddit

All manual

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1-800-THREE@reddit

Why are their planes bouncing around so much more than the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels? Are the larger fighters more stable? Is it a pilot skill issue?

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Fragrant-Can-1467@reddit

In addition to what the others said, the 3 jets at the rear have to also deal with the wake turbulence from those at the front, the alphajet makes it more bearable than most but its still not an ideal situation to say the least

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Acceptable_Tie_3927@reddit

These are Alpha Jets, about as old as ~~dinosaurs~~ B737-200, so not FBW, FADEC, etc. to actively smooth flight.

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LurkerWithAnAccount@reddit

Are they constantly making micro adjustments to power?

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NxPat@reddit

What do they use to make the vibrant “smoke?”, water would dissipate to quickly, oils could endanger the following aircraft windscreen visibility I’d assume.

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falcopilot@reddit

Is that like a portable Garmin GPS on the left side of the HUD?

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morane-saulnier@reddit

It is.

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Thannathos@reddit

What's the occasion?

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edgelordx@reddit

The celebration of the athletes since the Paralympics are also over.

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Lollipop126@reddit

I had a go-around at CDG, it was nowhere near this close to the ground, but it was amazing to experience Paris from that altitude.

Also, I've never seen them do a second pass over Champs Élysées! So cool, especially with that pull up manoeuvre.

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dudeman1018@reddit

this is what is looks like on the ground

https://imgur.com/a/U90w4p0

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