Lomcovak

The Lomcovák (pronounced Lomzovak, stress on the first syllable, which is spoken long á ) is an aerobatic maneuver for airplanes, which is often shown on airshows. But the Lomcovák is not included in the Aresti catalog, ie it is not a competitive figure. The Lomcovák was first shown in the fifties of the 20th century by Czech aerobatic pilots.

Description

The Lomcovák is initiated by a Thrust Roller is introduced into an ascending line from the knife-edge position. The aircraft then performs spectacular rotations about all three axes, which usually also contain a rollover forward. Due to the occurring centrifugal forces engine and propeller are extremely stressed.

From Lomcovák there are many variations. Since the figure is not included in the Aresti catalog, there is no clear limit to what can still be considered as a variant of Lomcovák and what must be considered a new character.

Assessment

The Lomcovák split the aerobatic community into two camps.

One camp claims that the Lomcovák could never truly be controlled. After the launching of the pilot was just a passenger until the aircraft finally back somehow find the inverted spin, which will then be forwarded normally ( a Lomcovák always ends in the inverted spin. ) Since it is impossible to always absolute to give the Einleitimpulse same, and there afterwards existed no more intervention, it is also impossible to Lomcovák to fly really predictable. Aerobatics is but just defined precisely by the fact that given figures are accurate and controlled at all times flown in so far as doing the Lomcovák fun but was not aerobatic maneuver in the real sense. Eric Mueller argues in his book Flight unlimited this position.

The other camp contradicts and says it's quite possible to run the Lomcovák and its variants predictable. The critics would not only dominate. Also this camp but admits that the Lomcovák is really dominated by very few pilots, and that in most cases actually pure " random characters " would be flown at air shows. Neil Williams takes this view in his book Aerobatics.

Practice

When Lomcovák the centrifugal forces of the propeller play a major role. Consequently, it can really only be flown with propeller aircraft. If however, the aircraft first offset ( a role that is ) in a fast rotation around the longitudinal axis, so the whole airplane acts as a gyroscope, which makes it possible to fly Lomcovák - like figures with jets and even gliders. When jets occurs at such figures but always the problem of compressor stall and an associated Flame - outs on.

The Italian Frecce Tricolori shows a kind Lomcovák with her jet Aermacchi MB 339

Origin of name

In 1958 Ladislav Bezák showed in an air show in Brno variations of the ( hitherto nameless ) Lomcovák, a journalist asked his mechanic, what are the figures for. This answered spontaneously and fun, whether it the " Lomcovák " does not know because. For the Czech word " Lomcovák " there is no German equivalent, it describes the staggering gait of a drunken fall. Since then, this figure Lomcovák is called. (Source: Ladislav Bezák )