Chinese Air Force "August 1st" at Zhu Hai Air Show
The "August 1st" Acrobatic Team now uses J-10 fighter jets. It has performed at every Zhu Hai Air Show. Its recent marketing ploy is the 4 female pilots. The Chinese Air Force has trained and deployed female pilots since the 1950s as a means to show gender equality. Until recently, all female pilots were on transports or helicopters. A few female pilots have been trained on fighter jets and the propaganda machine has boast their stories. I am not sure if they are truly qualified as front line pilots. Even for the acrobatic mission, "August 1st" brought 4 twin seat J-10 to ZUH, and both seats were filled for all 4 during my visit.
Taxi out to start their performance
http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...1BMQZ.J101.jpg
http://m1.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...oEA06.J104.jpg
http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...NJ1u9.J107.jpg
After a two-ship and another three-ship take off, Number 12 did a low pass over the airport to wow the audience.http://m9.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...dZb1.J1010.jpg
http://m0.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...8NDz.J1011.jpg
Number 12 performing a single routinehttp://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...9DQG.J1019.jpg
http://m5.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...bVoM.J1032.jpg
Six-ship formation
http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...xwhD.J1014.jpg
http://m5.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...u1qY.J1016.jpg
Five-ship split
http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...Wryn.J1033.jpg
Four-ship formation
http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...8u32.J1030.jpg
Taxi back after the performance
http://m0.i.pbase.com/o9/20/440020/1...47iQ.J1037.jpg
