Holkham Country Fair

Aerobatics Duo Display

With Stephen Carver and Gary Ferriman

 

Seconds to go, running in “powering up…smoke on…go!” “And pulling up for a loop, looping, looping, go!” ... “Easing off and rolling right ... go!” “Smoke off ... go!”

That's formation leader Gary Ferriman, 59, talking wing man Steve Carver through part of their 2009 display and what a responsibility it is too positioning the formation safely close in, and all the time keeping in mind the spectacular. A bit like Celebrity Come Dancing when it comes to the choreography except it’s bumpy, there’s always a strong wind blowing and so unlike old Brucie’s, our stage is always on the move!

Out there in echelon or line astern, Steve’s looking all the time at references on the lead aircraft and making fairly small - though sometimes large - corrections to stay in or change position. That’s generally how you do it: a sympathetic leader and a certain amount of anticipation from the man on the wing, simple as that ... oh and quite a lot of practice in all sorts of weather come rain or shine.

These two German built aircraft are an Extra 230 and an Extra 260. Both are the engineering offspring of all-round good guy Mr Walter Extra. Stressed to +/- 10g and with a roll rate of over 360°/sec, the Extras are composite aircraft and have a top speed of around 250 mph. The pilots are Midlands-based. Gary runs a very successful 4x4 business. He has amassed close to 3,000 hours flying over thirty years and has been British Advanced Aerobatic Champion far too many times. Steve is 47, has logged over 10,000 hours and is a Type Rating Examiner on the Embraer 145 regional jet.

 

Hold onto your seats - these boys are GOOD!