Aviation group aerobatics Air Force Russia "Russian Knights" was formed on April 5, 1991 on the basis of the first squadron of the 237th Guards Proskurov Red Banner Order of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky Air Regiment to demonstrate the capabilities of the Su-27 fighters. Part of the Aviation Equipment Display Center named after I.N. Kozhedub (CPAT).
"Russian Knights" are based at the Kubinka airfield located 60 kilometers from Moscow.
The creation of the first aviation aerobatics team took place back in May 1989, when the first aviation squadron received Su-27 fighters. Experienced pilots quickly mastered new technology and soon began training flights as part of a pair, three, and then four machines in a diamond formation. Maneuvering the group was not easy. The size and weight of the aircraft, its inertia and excellent aerodynamics were the main reasons causing the difficulties of joint piloting in the sky, but the pilots coped with these difficulties.
At the beginning of 1991, the composition of the aerobatic team of six aircraft was finally formed, and on April 5 of the same year, the aerobatic team, called “Russian Knights,” was officially founded. An emblem was invented for the new unit - a shield, on a blue background of which there is a diamond of four aircraft, and special overalls were sewn for the pilots.
The name "Russian Knights" was first heard abroad on August 24, 1991 at the first Polish air show in Poznan. Then the group commander Vladimir Bazhenov presented a solo aerobatics program. This visit was Starting point in creating an individual image of the Knights. It took specialists from the Sukhoi Design Bureau less than a month to develop a unified design and paint all the group’s fighters. The colors of the Russian national flag were taken as a basis.
The group's first performance took place in September 1991 in the UK, during which the Russian Knights marched in formation over the residence of the Queen Mother in Scotland. The visit to England continued with the group's performances at air shows in Lukers and Finningley, where the Knights flew with the British Red Arrows squadron.
That same fall, at an air show in Prague (Czech Republic), two pilots from the Russian Knights group performed a solo aerobatics program in a Su-27UB pair. The effect of the performance was so strong that American pilots in their F-15s refused to perform for fear of “getting lost” against the Russians.
On August 16, 2009, during training flights in Zhukovsky, two aircraft of the Russian Knights aerobatic team collided, resulting in the death of the group commander, Igor Tkachenko. Two other pilots in the two-seat Su-27UB aircraft ejected, one of them suffering a spinal injury.
The group's participation in MAKS-2009 was then limited to only the flight of the "diamond" on the last day of the aerospace salon.
The commander of the Russian Knights aerobatics team is Guard Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Shcheglov.
At the beginning of 2016, in addition to the commander, the flight crew of the group included five more pilots: Colonel Andrei Alekseev (deputy commander of the Aviation Equipment Display Center, until 2013 the group commander), Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Bogdan, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Erofeev, Captain Vladimir Kochetov, Major Sergei Eremenko .
"Russian Knights"! Who doesn't know them now? Who doesn't turn his gaze to the sky when he hears the growing roar of their powerful war machines? How many boys dream of being like these strong in spirit, brave and courageous pilots?
Now, in 2017, 26 years later, the whole world knows them. And then, back in 1991, their name was heard for the first time. And even then not right away. The creation of the first aviation aerobatics team took place back in May 1989, when Su-27 fighters entered service with the 1st aviation squadron of the Aviation Equipment Display Center. Experienced pilots quickly mastered the new technology and soon began training flights as part of a pair, three, and then four aircraft in diamond formation. The leader of the first “diamond” was Anatoly Arestov, the left wingman was Alexander Dyatlov, the right wingman was Ivan Kirsanov, the tail wingman was Vladimir Bukin. Maneuvering the group was not easy. The size and weight of the aircraft, its inertia and, oddly enough, its excellent aerodynamics were the main reasons causing the difficulties of joint piloting in the sky. And only the great desire and perseverance of the Russian pilots helped to overcome all the difficulties.
At the beginning of 1991, the composition of the aerobatic team of six aircraft was finally formed: the leader was Vladimir Basov, the left wingman was Alexander Dyatlov, the right wingman was Sergey Ganichev, the tail wingman was Vladimir Bukin, the left wingman was Vladimir Bazhenov, the right wingman was Alexander Lichkun. It was decided to give the new unit a bright name, come up with an emblem, sew overalls and develop the coloring of the aircraft. Choosing a name was not an easy task. The first options were one more exotic than the other. Until Nikolai Grechanov said the word knight. Everything immediately fell into place.
A strong associative connection with historical origins, Russian epics, warlike spirit and the unique masculinity of the image was formed immediately and is not interrupted throughout the existence of the group.
And already on August 24, 1991, literally four and a half months later, the name “Russian Knights” was heard abroad for the first time - at the first Polish air show in Poznan. Then the group commander Vladimir Bazhenov presented a solo aerobatics program. This visit became the starting point in creating the individual image of the Vityaz. It took specialists from the Sukhoi Design Bureau less than a month to develop a unified design and paint all the group’s fighters.
In the fall of 1991, “Russian Knights” already appeared in the skies of England. Basov, Dyatlov, Ganichev, Bukin, Bazhenov and Lichkun on freshly painted Su-27s passed in formation over the residence of the Queen Mother in Scotland, who immediately and appreciated the formidable and clear sparkling formation of the winged six. The visit to England continued with the group's performances at air shows in Lukers and Finningley, where the Knights flew with the British Red Arrows squadron.
That same fall, at the air show in Prague, the “Russian Knights” were represented by Vladimir Gryzlov and Igor Tkachenko, who performed a solo aerobatics program in a pair of Su-27UBs. The effect of the performance was so strong that the American pilots in their F-15s simply refused to perform for fear of “getting lost” against the background of the Russians.
A month after returning home, the group was invited to Malaysia to participate in the LIMA’91 air show.
The winter was spent in training, and in June 1992, two “Sparky” “Vityaz” aircraft went to the American Portland for the Rose Festival air show. The group was represented by Bazhenov, Grigoriev, Basov and Lichkun. And literally a month later there was another visit to the USA, to Alaska (Bradley Airfield).
The autumn of 1992 was eventful for the group. At the beginning of September, the US Air Force Blue Angels aerobatic team arrived at the Kubinka airbase. Together with the guests, the pilots performed over their airfield, and then put on a colorful show in honor of City Day in the skies over Moscow's Tushino. A week later, the Knights performed at the 50th anniversary of the famous Normandie-Niemen regiment in Reims, France, where joint aerobatics of two fours took place. Bazhenov, Kovalsky, Grechanov and Lichkun took to the sky simultaneously on their Su-27s and a group on F-1 Mirage aircraft.
At the same time, Russian pilots met the French aerobatic team “Patrol de France”. At the airfield of the city of Salon-de-Provence, the “Russian Knights” on the Su-27 performed joint aerobatics with the small and light Alpha-Jet (“Alpha Jet”).
In April 1993, aerobatics were invited to Holland, where the group performed at an air show Royal Air Force countries at Leeuwarden Air Base.
In August of the same year, at the Canadian Abbotsford air base, the demonstration performances of the Russian Knights ended with a curiosity: Canadian pilots argued with the Knights that the Su-27 as a fighter was inferior to their CF-18 Hornet aircraft. The dispute was resolved in front of two hundred thousand spectators - the “Russian Knights” won an undeniable victory over the vaunted “Hornet” in a training battle, proving the unsurpassed qualities of their combat vehicles.
In September, the group performed at the first International Aerospace Salon MAKS-1993. Even low clouds did not stop the ace pilots from demonstrating their skills by performing aerobatics at low altitudes.
On September 11, 1993, the group conducted a demonstration aerobatics over the city of Gorodets, where the opening of a monument to the legendary Russian knight of the 13th century Alexander Nevsky took place.
In December, the Knights again went to the remote tropical island of Langkawi to participate in the LIMA’93 air show. The flight route ran through Tashkent, Delhi, Calcutta, Yangon. Spectators and air show participants watched demonstration performances by Vladimir Bazhenov, Alexander Lichkun, Vladimir Gryzlov, and Boris Grigoriev.
The 1994 demonstration flight season was opened by the aerobatic team in May. “Russian Knights” went to Bratislava to participate in the SIAD-94 air show. The pilot of the group, Captain Igor Tkachenko, who performed a solo aerobatics program over the capital of Slovakia, took first place in his class.
In June, Russian aerobatics were applauded by spectators who gathered at the Norwegian airfield of Gardemoen, where the national air show took place. A month later, the “Vityazi” “six” flew to the Belgian city of Ostend. After participating in the air show, two “sparks”, piloted by Bazhenov and Klimov, Lichkun and Syrovoy, “went away” for a short time to neighboring Luxembourg, where they took part in the Journey del Air air show.
On September 3, when Moscow celebrated City Day, the “Russian Knights” drew the most complex aerobatic maneuvers in the sky over Poklonnaya Gora for 42 minutes. For aerobatics, an area was set aside, extending approximately 3 km west of the memorial.
On October 24 of the same year, the “Russian Knights” took part in a parade over Ashgabat - Turkmenistan celebrated the three-year anniversary of its independence.
In October, the group's pilots resumed the long-standing tradition of Kubinka - escorting the planes of eminent guests. This time they accompanied the liner of their good friend, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
May 9, 1995 became significant date not only in the history of Russia, but also in the history of the aerobatic team. The whole world widely celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, and on this holy day, May 9, the six “Russian Knights” for the first time passed as part of a huge column of aircraft over the Mozhaisk Highway, Poklonnaya Gora and Kutuzovsky Prospekt.
All over the world, the performances of the “Russian Knights” evoked applause and delight from the audience. This was the case at the next air show in Malaysia in December 1995. But not everyone had the chance to return home to Kubinka... On December 12, three Russian Knights fighters crashed into a mountain hidden behind an impenetrable fog. This happened while landing at Cam Ranh airfield to refuel. Four Russian Knights pilots were killed - Guard Colonel Boris Grigoriev, Guard Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Syrovoy, Nikolai Grechanov and Nikolai Kordyukov. The pilots were buried in the cemetery of the village of Nikolskoye near Kubinka. In October 1996, a monument was unveiled at the grave of the fallen “Russian Knights”.
It's time for pilots hard times. The hardest thing was the moral trauma. The pilots of the Red Arrows aerobatic team provided enormous support to their colleagues by inviting the Knights to their base.
Only in April 1996, “Vityazi” began to practice pair aerobatics, then they restored the “troika” and, finally, formed a “diamond”, which included Lichkun, Klimov, Kovalsky and Bukin. In workshops 430 ARZ in Bykov, three “Sparky” vehicles (No. 20, 24, 25) and a Su-27 “combat” vehicle (No. 15) were repainted. The top of the planes became blue, at the bottom there was a sharp transition from white to blue (a so-called “arrow” appeared under the cockpit), the tips of the wing and stabilizer below were painted red. Imported equipment and polyurethane paints brought seasoned aircraft to a condition close to “sparkling.”
The newly flown diamond on four Su-27s in a new bright coloring publicly showed group aerobatics for the first time in September of the same year at the Gelendzhik-96 hydroaviation show. And finally, in 1997, six were lifted into the sky. Igor Tkachenko became the left external wingman, Ivan Kirsanov became the right one.
In June, “Vityazi” again demonstrated their skills abroad for the first time after a year and a half break: first in the Austrian city of Zeltweg, and then in the capital of Slovakia - Bratislava. In September 1997, the group paid a friendly visit to France, where they took part in the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Normandie-Niemen regiment. And a little later, the pilots on their planes escorted the plane of French President Jacques Chirac, who arrived on an official visit to Russia.
During the celebration of the 850th anniversary of Moscow, the “Russian Knights” on four fighters with their landing gear extended and headlights on appeared in the evening sky over Sparrow Hills, where at that moment the laser show of Jean-Michel Jarre was unfolding. The effect was amazing - Moscow has never seen such a show in its entire history!
In November 1998, the group took part in the Zhuhai-98 air show in China. “Vityazi” performed as part of five aircraft, piloted by Alexander Lichkun, Vladimir Kovalsky, Sergey Klimov, Igor Tkachenko and Ivan Kirsanov. Navigation tasks when flying along international air routes were solved by the senior navigator of the 237th Center for Aircraft Operations, Colonel Sergei Fomin.
In 1999-2000, “Russian Knights” participated in numerous shows in Russian cities, including the group performing at anniversary celebrations in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Syzran VVAUL, and on June 11, 2000, they showed their skills for the first time in the skies over the northern capital.
At the end of 2000, a return visit to China took place. This is where group veteran Alexander Lichkun drove his “six” for the last time. In place of the extreme wingmen, the group included Viktor Ashmyansky and Dmitry Khachkovsky. Igor Tkachenko performed a complex of solo aerobatics. Returning to Kubinka, Lichkun turned off the engines and left the cockpit of the fighter, handing over the reins of the group to the energetic Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Klimov. The five he led performed at various air shows, including MAKS-2001.
A grand celebration in the sky was organized by the “Russian Knights” over the Volga in June of the same year, during celebrations on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the voluntary entry of Chuvashia into Russia.
In May 2002, a serious illness claimed his life wonderful person and commander of the Guards. Colonel Sergei Nikolaevich Klimov. The group was headed by Igor Tkachenko. Then only three trained pilots remained in the group: Ivan Kirsanov, Igor Tkachenko and Dmitry Khachkovsky. Thanks to the efforts of these pilots, by the end of the year a new “diamond” was flying, which included Igor Shpak and Oleg Ryapolov. On December 10, they performed the first display over Kubinka for a delegation from the United States, and the head of the center, Anatoly Omelchenko, presented the solo aerobatics program.
In September, at the Gelendzhik-2002 hydroaviation show, the Tkachenko-Khachkovsky pair performed a complex of synchronous and counter aerobatics.
In April 2003, Omelchenko, Tkachenko, Khachkovsky, Shpak and Ryapolov completed practical retraining on Su-35 aircraft.
To mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of the 237th Guards Aviation Equipment Display Center named after Kozhedub, in March 2003, four “Russian Knights” together with the “Swifts” aerobatic team performed a flight in a single formation consisting of ten aircraft.
On June 12, 2003, on Russian Independence Day, the “ten” passed over Red Square. In the cockpits that day were Nikolai Dyatel, Gennady Avramenko, Mikhail Loginov, Viktor Selyutin, Vadim Shmigelsky, Igor Sokolov, Igor Shpak, Igor Tkachenko, Dmitry Khachkovsky and Oleg Ryapolov. After this, the “diamond” “Vityaz” successfully performed at the first International Naval Show in St. Petersburg.
At MAKS 2003, the Russian Knights aerobatic team again performed with six aircraft. The group included Oleg Erofeev and Andrey Alekseev as external wingmen.
In 2004, the complex of shows included a joint flight of the aerobatic teams “Russian Knights” and “Swifts” consisting of nine aircraft (5 Su-27 and 4 MiG-29) in a “diamond” formation with the performance of a full range of aerobatic maneuvers, the presenter - Igor Tkachenko. This fact in itself became a world record in the history of aviation.
In the same year, the group successfully performed at several air shows, including the “Festival of Aerobatic Teams” in Zhukovsky, the “Aces of the Second World War” air show in Monino, and for the third time at the hydroair show in Gelendzhik.
In January 2005, the group made its first visit to the Arabian Peninsula in the United United Arab Emirates to participate in the Al Ein 2005 airshow.
On May 9, 2005, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Knights, together with the Swifts aerobatic team, consisting of nine aircraft, performed a historic flight over Red Square.
A few days later, the group moved to the Taimyr Peninsula in the city of Dudinka, where they performed an aerial display beyond the Arctic Circle for the first time.
In the summer of the same year, the group demonstrated its aerobatics in the cities of St. Petersburg and Kazan, and in the cities of Cherepovets and Vologda it performed demonstrations at a distance of 800 kilometers from the home airfield without landing.
In August, the Knights again took part in the air show “Aces of the Second World War” and traditionally performed at the MAKS-2005 air show.
In the fall, the group flew to the Arctic to the Yamal Peninsula in the city of Salekhard, after which they performed in Akhtubinsk in honor of the 85th anniversary of the 929 GLITs, where the skill of the “Russian Knights” was assessed by real professionals - test pilots.
At the beginning of 2006, a visit to the UAE took place, where in the skies over the Arabian Desert the Knights took first place in the group aerobatics class at jet planes, honorably demonstrating flying skills and highest quality Su-27. The group performed with new program, which included group rotations around the longitudinal axis in the “Wedge” aerobatic formation, a double combat turn, “ear” and “barrel”. The pilots were awarded gold medals by the FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale).
In the same year, in March and November, visits to the Chinese People's Republic, where “Russian Knights” opened the “Year of Russia in China” and participated in the International Aerospace Show “Zhuhai-2006”.
On April 5, 2006, AGVP “Russian Knights” celebrated its 15th anniversary with a grandiose aerial display at its home airfield.
At the end of April, the Republic of Belarus welcomed the “Vityaz” at the anniversary of the air base in the city of Baranovichi. In the same year, aerobatics were demonstrated in the skies over Khabarovsk and at the hydroaviation show in Gelendzhik, at the opening of which the group flew six aircraft. The left external wingman was prepared by Vitaly Melnik.
Continuing the glorious traditions of air parades over Red Square, on May 9, 2007, a flight was again performed in a joint formation with the Swifts aerobatic team consisting of nine aircraft.
MAKS 2007 was a significant event in the history of the aerobatic team. Then, in August 2007, for the first time in the history of world aviation, a horizontal “barrel” was made as part of a group of nine combat aircraft, called the “Cuban Diamond” due to its shape and uniqueness. The composition of the “diamond” has remained constant since 2004. The planes were piloted by Igor Tkachenko, Nikolai Dyatel, Igor Sokolov, Igor Shpak, Oleg Erofeev, Andrey Alekseev, Gennady Avramenko, Victor Selyutin and Oleg Ryapolov.
In 2007, the group held many more demonstration performances in Russian cities. These were Rostov-on-Don and Pushkin in the summer, Surgut and Khanty-Mansiysk in September.
At the celebration of the 95th anniversary of the Russian Air Force, the Knights demonstrated their skills in the skies over Monino, and a few months earlier the roar of the Cuban “six” tore the skies over St. Petersburg.
The 70th anniversary of the 237th CPAT "Russian Knights" together with the "Swifts" was celebrated on March 22, 2008 in the sky over their native Kubinka. During the joint performance, the “barrel” was performed by the “nine” in the new composition.
On May 9, 2008, the already traditional aerial part of the Victory Parade ended with the unforgettable flight of the “Cuban diamond” over Red Square.
On May 28, 2008, the commander of the aerobatic team was replaced; he became Guard Lieutenant Colonel Andrei Alekseev, the right wingman in the Russian Knights ranks.
A month later, on June 12 of the same year, the “five” “Russian Knights” performed demonstration flights in Saransk and Penza, the flights were carried out from the Kubinka base airfield. On June 20, 2008, the Knights performed in the Finnish city of Kauhava at the Midnight Sun air show. The flights were carried out at dusk, in “white night” conditions.
At the end of June the group's composition increased. Guard Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Bogdan completed the pilot training program.
The full band began preparing for several serious performances in 2009. The first of these was the flight over Red Square, so beloved by Russians, on May 9. Flying over the very heart of Moscow, the leading pilot of the Russian Knights of the Guard, Colonel Igor Tkachenko, congratulated all veterans on the holiday Great Victory straight from the cockpit of your fighter.
And on June 24, the group again flew to St. Petersburg, where, together with pilots from the Swifts aerobatic team, they performed at the International Naval Show.
On July 11, 2009, a mixed “diamond” of two Su-27 “Russian Knights” and two MiG-29 “Swifts” opened the “Invasion” rock festival in the Tver region.
There was a month and a half left until the most important aviation event of the year – MAKS-2009. The group's pilots made training flights almost every day.
Two days remained before the opening of MAKS, the “four” “Vityaz” went on a training flight over the display point in Zhukovsky. It was during this training that an irreparable misfortune occurred: the commander of the 237 TsPAT, the leading pilot of the Russian Knights, Igor Tkachenko, tragically died. The group’s participation in the air show was then limited only to the flight of the “diamond” on the last day of MAKS, August 23.
In absolute silence, the “diamond” appeared over the Zhukovsky airfield and made a “memory flight” in honor of deceased Igor Tkachenko. Shouts of admiration for the courage of the pilots and applause in memory of Guard Colonel Tkachenko that day even drowned out the roar of the Su-27 Quartet.
By Decree of the President of Russia No. 966 of August 22, 2009, Guard Colonel Igor Valentinovich Tkachenko was awarded the title of Hero Russian Federation posthumously.
In the New Year 2010, the Russian Knights aerobatic team was led by the deputy of the deceased Igor Tkachenko, Guard Colonel Igor Shpak.
In winter, training flights resumed, Guard Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Shcheglov joined the group, successfully completed the program aerobatic training and took the place of the left external wingman in the ranks of the “Russian Knights”.
On the day of the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory, May 9, 2010, the Cuban “nine”, led by Igor Shpak, reappeared in the skies over Moscow.
Five days after the Air Parade over Red Square, on May 14, 2010, in honor of the 90th birthday of Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub, pilots of the Russian Knights and Swifts aerobatic teams staged a grand show in the sky above the Kubinka airbase.
On July 10 of the same year, “Vityazi” and “Swifts” again performed at the opening of the “Invasion” rock festival.
And on September 4, pilots of both aerobatic teams went to Volgograd to participate in the celebration of City Day and the 100th anniversary of the Kachinsky VVAUL, the graduates of which are a good half of the legendary group.
The 2010 demonstration flight season ended with the group's performance in the city of Akhtubinsk in honor of the 90th anniversary of the GLITs named after V.P. Chkalov.
In 2011, the group worked on a new program, intensively engaged in combat training and training for reinforcements, staged a spectacular performance for its 20th anniversary, and performed traditional demonstration flights at MAKS.
In January 2012, a historic visit to Bahrain took place at the personal invitation of King Hamad ibn Isa al-Khalifa. 
August 2012 was marked by a grand celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Russian Air Force. August 4 in Borisov district Belgorod region A monument to the Su-27 fighter was unveiled, erected in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Russian Air Force and in memory of the pilots of the Russian Knights aerobatic team. The Cuban Diamond" became a decoration at the Russian aviation festival in Zhukovsky near Moscow. The historic flight of Lieutenant Colonel Alekseev with two Rafales of the French Air Force to the places of military glory of the Normandy-Niemen regiment continued the series festive events. “Gidroaviasalon-2012” has become a traditional September show.
After a six-year break, another visit to the PRC took place. At the Airshow China 2012 air show in Zhuhai, participants and guests warmly welcomed the Russian Knights.
2013 turned out to be a particularly busy year. In early February, the group completed a difficult flight through the territory of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. “Russian Knights” performed for the first time at one of the leading air shows in Asia, AirIndia 2013, held in Bangalore. And just a month later, the group took part in the Lima 2013 air show on the Malaysian island of Langkawi. In addition, demonstration flights were carried out in St. Petersburg and Baltiysk. At the celebration dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Battle of Prokhorovsk, the pilots performed a display over the field of the Great Battle.
August was marked by the performance of the “five” at the “International Air Show and Military Display 2013” air show in Hungary. In the fall, the group participated in large-scale exercises in the Western Military District.
2014 began with a performance at the BIAS-2014 air show in the kingdom of Bahrain and continued with business trips to Chita and Novosibirsk.
May 9, 2014 was outstanding. “Russian Knights” and “Swifts” groups marched in parade formation over the main base for the first time Black Sea Fleet Russia - Sevastopol.
At the beginning of August, the group performed a show in the capital of Buryatia - Ulan-Ude. And in the middle of the month, the pilots demonstrated their skills at the “First Festival of Aerobatic Teams of the Russian Air Force”, dedicated to Air Force Day.
Traditionally, in November the group was warmly welcomed in China at the Airshow China 2014 air show.
The debut show for the updated composition of the pyramid took place over December Sevastopol. For the first time, Captain Vladimir Kochetov took part in the show as the left external wingman and Major Sergey Eremenko as the right external wingman.
The year of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War began for “Russian Knights” with a screening at the “Heroes Watch” in Kaluga. On May 9, the “Russian Knights”, in unified formation with the “Swifts”, took part in the anniversary Victory Parade in the sky above Red Square.
At the international competitions AVIDARTS-2015, the presenter of the “Russian Knights” - Colonel Andrey Alekseev took first place in the “single aerobatics” category. The group received silver medals in the group aerobatics category.
In July, the international military-technical forum “Army 2015” was held in Alabino and Kubinka near Moscow, where “Russian Knights” demonstrated elements of group and individual aerobatics.
The International Naval Salon "IMDS-2015" and the International Aviation and Space Salon "MAKS-2015" have become the traditional venues for the group's performances.
As part of the Russian Ministry of Defense campaign “Contract service is your choice”, which started in 2014, “Russian Knights” performed in Sevastopol, Rostov-on-Don, St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, Samara, Omsk. 
Currently, the Russian Knights aviation group continues the good traditions of the Russian school of aerobatics, taking part in various events both in Russia and abroad. Also plays a significant role combat training. In the intervals between business trips, pilots hone their skills in training air combat, carry out bombing and shooting flights at ground targets, and train young flight personnel. The group’s personnel do not stop there and continue to write the history of domestic aviation.
The aerobatic aviation group of the Russian Air Force "Russian Knights" was formed on April 5, 1991 on the basis of the first squadron of the 237th Guards Proskurov Red Banner Order of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky air regiment to demonstrate the capabilities of Su-27 fighters. Part of the Aviation Equipment Display Center named after I.N. Kozhedub (CPAT).
"Russian Knights" are based at the Kubinka airfield located 60 kilometers from Moscow.
The creation of the first aviation aerobatics team took place back in May 1989, when the first aviation squadron received Su-27 fighters. Experienced pilots quickly mastered the new technique and soon began training flights as part of a pair, three, and then four aircraft in diamond formation. Maneuvering the group was not easy. The size and weight of the aircraft, its inertia and excellent aerodynamics were the main reasons causing the difficulties of joint piloting in the sky, but the pilots coped with these difficulties.
At the beginning of 1991, the composition of the aerobatic team of six aircraft was finally formed, and on April 5 of the same year, the aerobatic team, called “Russian Knights,” was officially founded. An emblem was invented for the new unit - a shield, on a blue background of which there is a diamond of four aircraft, and special overalls were sewn for the pilots.
The name "Russian Knights" was first heard abroad on August 24, 1991 at the first Polish air show in Poznan. Then the group commander Vladimir Bazhenov presented a solo aerobatics program. This visit became the starting point in creating the individual image of the Knights. It took specialists from the Sukhoi Design Bureau less than a month to develop a unified design and paint all the group’s fighters. The colors of the Russian national flag were taken as a basis.
The group's first performance took place in September 1991 in the UK, during which the Russian Knights marched in formation over the residence of the Queen Mother in Scotland. The visit to England continued with the group's performances at air shows in Lukers and Finningley, where the Knights flew with the British Red Arrows squadron.
That same fall, at an air show in Prague (Czech Republic), two pilots from the Russian Knights group performed a solo aerobatics program in a Su-27UB pair. The effect of the performance was so strong that American pilots in their F-15s refused to perform for fear of “getting lost” against the Russians.
On August 16, 2009, during training flights in Zhukovsky, two aircraft of the Russian Knights aerobatic team collided, resulting in the death of the group commander, Igor Tkachenko. Two other pilots in the two-seat Su-27UB aircraft ejected, one of them suffering a spinal injury.
The group's participation in MAKS-2009 was then limited to only the flight of the "diamond" on the last day of the aerospace salon.
The commander of the Russian Knights aerobatics team is Guard Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Shcheglov.
At the beginning of 2016, in addition to the commander, the flight crew of the group included five more pilots: Colonel Andrei Alekseev (deputy commander of the Aviation Equipment Display Center, until 2013 the group commander), Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Bogdan, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Erofeev, Captain Vladimir Kochetov, Major Sergei Eremenko .
Many of us know about these guys firsthand. And some were even lucky enough to see their first-class performances. But what is the history of these same Russian Knights?
Aerobatic team Russian Knights originates back in 1991, namely on April 5th. It was assembled from the best pilots of the Russian Air Force. The initial composition was selected from the first aviation squadron, which is part of the 234th Guards Aviation Regiment. Their base is located near the Kubinka airfield, which is located near Moscow.
Kubinka airfield is one of the most famous military installations in Russia. Moreover, he is known not only here, but also abroad. And it gained its fame precisely because it was there that the country’s best pilots studied all the basics of aerobatics. In addition to the Russian Knights, the Swifts aerobatic team is also located at the same base. It is for this reason that both of these groups can often be seen performing together. After all, they are, rightfully, the best masters your difficult task.
After the Great Patriotic War ended, the guys piloted MiG series fighters. But already in 1989, SU-27 fighters were delivered to the military base. Because of their large dimensions, it was not so easy to control them, especially when it came to group flights. But they were the ones chosen by the Russian Knights. Ultimately, they formed a squad of six such aircraft, which they operate today. However, at first the group was called Blue Lightning, but a little later it became known that one Japanese aerobatic team is called Blue Impulse. And in order to avoid possible confusion, it was decided to change the name, which they have retained until this year 2018.
As for the coloring of their combat aircraft, the guys did not bother too much and took the colors of our Russian flag as a basis. After all, pilots perform not only in our country, so they somehow need to represent their homeland. So, no matter where they perform, we can always recognize them by their corresponding coloring.
It is also worth noting the fact that the Russian Knights are the only ones who are capable of performing group aerobatics on heavy serial-type fighters. Indeed, in most cases, both simpler models and modified ones are used for shows in the sky. But not in this case.
History of Russian Knights flights
The Russian Knights aerobatic team has completed more than 50 demonstration flights and various air shows throughout their career. And how many times they took to the skies during training and various flights is beyond counting. One way or another, we can highlight the most interesting and memorable moments of history from all the diversity.
The aerobatic team made its first visit to the UK in the autumn of 1991. The Russian Knights arrived in the royal country to perform jointly with the Red Arrow pilots, who were the main flying group of the Royal Air Force. Together, they made a grandiose air show in Lurkas, after which the Russian Knights flew in formation over the residence of the Queen of Scotland herself. After that, they flew to many countries around the world, in each of which they put on a simply amazing show.
Since 2004, Russian Knights began to carry out joint flights with the Swift aerobatic team. Nine flying machines take part in such a joint performance - five from the Russian Knights and four more from the Swifts. The Russian Knights flew the SU-27, but their comrades used the MiG-29. And it is precisely due to such a complex combination of fundamentally different fighters that they have gained fame. After all, in both aerobatic teams, as mentioned earlier, the pilots are based at the same air force base. And each of them has extensive experience in piloting and performing the most complex elements of the show in the air.
Accidents of Russian Knights
Despite the vast experience in flying fighter aircraft and performing complex stunts in the air, the history of the aerobatic team was not without an accident. As with the Swift aerobatic team, the Russian Knights had two incidents. However, this time it was not possible to do without casualties.
The first emergency occurred in December 1995, in the vicinity of Cam Ranh Airport, which is located in Vietnam. The aerobatic team headed there to refuel. But because bad organization air flights in difficult weather conditions, three Russian Knights planes crashed into a mountain. As a result of this tragedy, we lost four members of the aerobatic team.
After that, the aerobatic team did not give any performances for almost a whole year. The team of pilots was replenished with new faces, and they conducted joint team exercises. However, already in 1996, in the fall, they publicly showed their aerobatic skills in a new composition at the Gelendzhik-96 hydroair show.
The second tragedy occurred at one of the main rehearsals of the MAKS-2009 air show. In August 2009, two SU-27 aircraft, carrying three pilots, collided during maneuvers. There were no casualties this time either; the parachute of one ejection chair did not open. But this time, despite the terrible tragedy, the group did not interrupt their scheduled performances.
Plans of the Russian Knights aerobatic team for 2018
The Russian Knights aerobatic team has quite big plans for 2018. Which is not surprising, because 24 years after the start of their career, they have earned a huge reputation at various air shows, perhaps one of the best flying groups not only in the country, but in the whole world. If we talk about numbers, then this year alone, the aerobatic team plans to conduct more than 20 demonstration flights. And if you still haven’t had a chance to watch their air show with your own eyes, then this is your opportunity. Among all the events, it is worth highlighting two that are especially important:
- Army 2018.
- MAKS-2018.
Literally next week the international forum Army 2018 will take place. In addition to presenting more than 30 types of the latest aircraft, first-class flights are also planned as part of such aerobatic teams as Russian Knights, Swifts, and Berkuts. You will see not only first-class flights, but also a real show in the sky. So if you want to not only keep abreast of modern military achievements, but also have a lot of fun, then you definitely need to visit this forum.
The next event will take place at the International Aviation and Space Salon in August 2018. Within the framework of the MAKS-2018 forum there will be quite a lot of great review the newest Russian technology, together with the performance of many aerobatic teams. One of which will be the Russian Knights. It is likely that this is where they will perform together with the Swifts aerobatic team. In addition, it is at the MAKS-2018 forum that you will be able to see representatives of other countries.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them
Hamilton, a well-known manufacturer of aviation-style watches, helped us organize a meeting with the commander of the Russian Knights aerobatics team, Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Shcheglov. Our first question to the Vityaz commander is how pilots come to the group, how they become one of the chosen ones.
Shcheglov Sergey Vladimirovich, guard lieutenant colonel, commander of the Russian Knights aerobatics team, 1st class pilot. Born on August 16, 1973 in Dmitrievka Tambov region. In 1995 he graduated from the Kachin Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots named after. A.F. Myasnikov. He served as a pilot at the Borisoglebsk flight personnel retraining center, in the Moscow Military District. Since 2007 he has been serving at the Kubinka airbase. During his service, he mastered the Yak-52, L-39, MiG-29, Su-27 aircraft. Flew 700 hours. Married. Raises a daughter and son. He is interested in cars.
“It’s very simple,” our interlocutor answers. We select our future pilots from among military pilots serving in combat units of the Russian Air Force. A pilot must have a level of at least 2nd class, although there have been cases when 3rd class pilots successfully trained in everything necessary. Usually, a pilot from a combat unit expresses in a personal conversation with representatives of our group a desire to fly with us, after which we make a decision about whether this pilot is worth calling for an exam. If the decision is positive, we send an official telegram to the unit, and the candidate comes to us for an exam. Both theoretical and physical training and, of course, flying skill are assessed. Once we called out to the combat units - in the form of an invitation telegram. The pilots responded to the invitation and came to us for the exam.
But does the Russian Knights really have such a shortage of personnel that they have to call out?
Of course, there is no shortage, but there is a natural decline: one or two people a year resign, making room for talented young people. Then we invite new pilots. And no one leaves us anymore; they continue to serve until they retire.
“Russian Knights” often perform together with “Swifts”. This group is also based in Kubinka and performs group and single aerobatics on multi-role highly maneuverable fighters.
How is the training going? Flight simulators are a popular topic right now - are you using them?
There is no need for simulators to master aerobatic flight. Visual assessments, eye, motor skills - all this is practiced in training flights. But we also work on other programs, in particular on programs combat use, and simulators are used there.
During performances, your planes fly in formation, and the distance between cars is minimal. It's difficult and dangerous. How do your pilots learn to fly close?
Every pilot, starting from his first flights at school, gradually evolves. First they teach him solo flights, then - flying in pairs. As he learns, he develops a visual perception of the leading aircraft and certain motor skills that allow him to clearly react to changes in distance and maintain his place in the formation. When a pilot comes to us, he first performs combat training flights. Then he begins the flight training program, first in a less dense formation, usually in a trio, with one leader and two wingmen. In this version, he masters the entire complex of aerobatics at low altitude. Then the same thing is studied in a diamond formation, then in a five, in a six... And gradually skills are acquired, the pilot acts more accurately and “automatically” performs the corresponding actions with the rudders.
It is known that when flying in a group, a particular problem is the wake from an aircraft flying ahead. How do you deal with this obstacle?
The wake has several components. The first of them is a jet from the engine, which “dissolves” quite quickly. The second is the indignation caused directly by the aircraft, and the third - the most powerful - is the flow of air from the bottom of the wing to the top. At the ends of the wings, the air twists into a bundle, and the two flows move towards each other. This is the most powerful interference; it remains in the air for a long time. And the more overload the aircraft has, the more powerful the vortex rope it leaves behind. What to do in this case? Don't fall into this stream. According to our rules, the trailing aircraft always flies below the leading jet. But if the group makes a turn in afterburner - even according to all the rules - then at the exit we end up in our own wake. In this case, the plane shakes slightly, but its position is easy to stabilize with the rudders. If you get into a wake, coming close to another aircraft (during aerobatics or air combat), then the fighter can be thrown to the side like a feather, even though it weighs tens of tons. This is dangerous - the car loses control for a few seconds, and this can lead to a collision with a neighboring vehicle.
Your aerobatic team flies a Su-27. Tell us about the features of this aircraft.
The Su-27, like other 4th generation fighters, makes it possible to fully realize the lifting force of the wing. The machine is made according to an integrated circuit, without a clearly defined fuselage: the fuselage smoothly merges into the wing and also participates in creating lift. But this scheme is aerodynamically unstable. Its advantage is that a low-stable aircraft does not take away lift for balancing and is more maneuverable. The downside is that such a device is more difficult to control, and therefore a computer comes to the aid of the pilot in the form of a CDS system remote control. We can say that the Su-27 airframe has unique aerodynamics - new avionics and new engines can be installed on it, but the design itself is very successful and will have to long life. In general, a good plane is a compromise. For example, for a fighter to be maneuverable, it must be durable; if it must be durable, then it should be light, but low weight can have a negative impact on strength. Or let's take the range of action. For long-distance flights, it is good to have a light weight aircraft and plenty of fuel. But fuel and tanks also add heaviness. Complete contradictions. However, in the design of the Su-27, all these contradictory factors are taken into account in the most harmonious manner. I believe that this is the best fighter in the world.
Solo aerobatic group "Russian Knights"
There are not so many aerobatic teams in the world that perform on combat aircraft. What is special about these groups?
Indeed, there are few such groups. We have “Russian Knights” and “Swifts” on the MiG-29, there are Americans Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flying F/A-18 and F-16, there is a Chinese group on the J-10, there are groups from Turkey and Switzerland on F-5 Tiger. First of all, the task of such groups, including ours, is to maintain the prestige of the country and show the capabilities of the national air force. If we compare the aerobatic team on combat aircraft and on training vehicles, then the aerobatics of combat vehicles are more energetic, it is immediately clear that this equipment is more powerful, more powerful, and more maneuverable. A group on training aircraft usually shows some kind of passages and elements of changing formations. War vehicles demonstrate power aerobatics: here the turns are extreme in terms of thrust, and the radii of loops or turns are smaller than those of training aircraft, although their speed is lower. Now in the world only the Americans can compare with our groups in terms of the complexity of the figures they perform. The Chinese have not yet reached this level, but are rapidly evolving.
Which aerobatic maneuvers do you consider the most difficult?
All aerobatics are not easy if they need to be performed beautifully, so that the audience will like it, but the most difficult are those where the greatest engine thrust is realized - a turn in afterburner, a loop in afterburner. The roll is quite difficult to perform if the aircraft is flying in formation and it is necessary to rotate not around the aircraft’s own axis, but around the formation, that is, around the axis of the leading aircraft.
Since Hamilton was our guide to the Russian Knights headquarters in Kubinka, we finally wanted to ask the Russian Knights commander about the role of watches in the life of an aviator.
What's a pilot without a watch? - Lieutenant Colonel Shcheglov answers with a smile. — Air Force pilots are required to wear watches and are issued them, but, of course, everyone has the right to choose for themselves which watch to wear. In the cockpit of the Su-27, the time display is, of course, provided on the instrument panel, although even in flight it is sometimes more convenient to look at the watch on your hand. Well, generally speaking, we pilots live not only in the sky, but also on the ground, and here wrist watch serve as an accessory for the pilot, emphasizing his belonging to our romantic profession.
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