On 8th October 2024, the Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team from the Czech Republic have made aviation history by executing the first in history formation inverted loop around a bridge. Their latest stunt is undoubtedly a remarkable milestone for aviation, as well as for the team itself, being a tremendous end to their 2024 season.
The Mala Rijeka Bridge in Montenegro, located about 20 kilometres North from Podgorica, is 500 metres long and about 138 metres high, what makes it the highest railway bridge in Europe. The team, consisting of Stanislav Čejka (team leader), Jan Tvrdík (right wing), Jan Rudzinskyj (left wing) and Martin Špaček (slot), took-off from Nikšić Airport in Montenegro, and headed towards the bridge. Shortly after, the Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team performed the inverted loop manoeuvre, flying with their four ExtremeAir XA-42 aerobatic aeroplanes in tight, inverted diamond formation, down through the steep canyon under the Mala Rijeka Bridge.
Inverted flight is an essential part of solo and group aerobatics. However, performing it in such a limited space, combined with pushing negative G-force is very unusual and highly demanding. ‘This kind of move is rarely done even in open skies. To do it in a canyon is something that hasn’t been attempted before.’ – said the team leader Stanislav Čejka.
The stunt required the highest coordination and timing. Each pilot had to precisely follow every move of their leader, while passing the rocky cliffs and flying within just a few metres of the monumental structure of the bridge. ‘We had to block out everything – the rocks, the bridge – and concentrate solely on following Stanislav’s lead.’ – said Jan Tvrdík. In such an unforgiving environment and conditions, even the smallest error could have disastrous consequences. However, due to the team pilots’ undisputable skills, the stunt went perfectly.
It is worth to mention that in the beginning, the team was considering several places in their home country of the Czech Republic to perform the stunt. However, due to the presence of high-voltage power lines in the vicinity of each possible site, it was considered that the risk was too high. Therefore, the team decided to look for a suitable place abroad. And so, the Mala Rijeka Bridge in Montenegro – a remote, tall structure set in a dramatic landscape spanning a deep canyon that would let the team to test their skills – emerged as the ideal location.
The trial was preceded by months of careful planning. The technical demands of flying in formation, combined with the psychological challenges of performing in such a complex and tricky environment, required the pilots to calculate the risks and prepare for every possible eventuality. The massive, concrete pillars of the bridge and the difficult geography of its location and surroundings only increased the complexity, giving the pilots no margin for any error. ‘The rocky terrain and the fact that a straight approach was only possible from one side made this [flight] exceptionally complex, especially in formation.’ – explained Stanislav Čejka.
Performing the first inverted loop flying in formation around the bridge is a great achievement on its own. However, the team initially planned to include other elements of acrobatics in their stunt. Including a double mirror pass under the bridge – a manoeuvre in which one aircraft is rolling while the other, inverted, is mirroring its movement to create a symmetrical visual effect. However, the weather conditions on site on the day of the trial limited the possibilities in this regard.
The Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team, having multiple records and titles on their accounts continues to re-evaluate the limits of aerobatics and formation flying. The latest world-first feat joins to their list of accomplishments and solidifies their reputation of being one of the best aerobatics teams in the world.
With their relentless pursuit of excellence, they are ready to push the boundaries of aerial performance even further and we can be sure that their recent inverted group loop around the Mala Rijeka Bridge in Montenegro is not their last word on this matter. We can only wait to see how the team is going to surprise us in the future.
Cover photo: Predrag Vuckovic / © Red Bull Content Pool. Information from the Red Bull company press release were used.
