Is it me or this shot look a little CLOSE !

**LGA777** · 2008-09-23, 10:17 PM

I am all for flying in formation for a photo op but this seems WAY close !

What to you think ?

LGA777

**PhilDernerJr** · 2008-09-23, 10:40 PM

The wing iss actually pierced through the fuselage of the 732, I think.

But indeed, very close.

**Gerard** · 2008-09-23, 10:42 PM

[quote="LGA777"]I am all for flying in formation for a photo op but this seems WAY close !

What to you think ?

Uh YEAH!!! They probably arent as close as it looks (we hope, sheesh) but that is scary.
And cool looking!! :lol:

**moose135** · 2008-09-23, 11:10 PM

I'm sure the telephoto lens makes it look closer than it really is, but it's actually formation flying is easier to do in close rather than farther away.

**Derf** · 2008-09-24, 02:30 AM

I do not see any issue with this....let me explain why.

If the guy on the right doing the fighter break was flying in formation with the guy flying nice and level. During the break, all of his energy is going away from the lead aircraft. It is a safe manuver, but then again with a jetliner on a figher break....IT CARRY'S A VERY LARGE PUCKER FACTER, to say the least. Add the zoom and WOW.

Moose, weren't you certified for formation?

**Matt Molnar** · 2008-09-24, 10:53 AM

Looks like the cargo is a bit lower than the other one, still a crazy shot though.

**MarkLawrence** · 2008-09-24, 01:39 PM

Those were flown by two of SAA's most experienced pilots that used to do the B744 fly-by's and the A340 fly-by's for SAA - Scully Levin (and his daughter Sally Bates as co-pilot) and Pierre Gouws (with Colin Gibson as co-pilot). They also do regular aerobatics, just adapt those for flying the bigger things - it's the first time in SAA history that they have done a Cargo flyby - the 737-300's are pretty new in the Cargo fleet for SAA. Amazing picture! It really is awesome!

**cancidas** · 2008-09-28, 02:12 PM

here's another view. doesn't look too close to me:

**threeholerglory** · 2008-09-28, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by cancidas

here's another view. doesn't look too close to me:

waaaaaaay to spoil it for everyone :P

**threeholerglory** · 2008-09-29, 06:31 PM

Gotta love angles and compression....

---I believe this is an echelon formation (please correct me if I am wrong)....in any case, the planes were all safely spaced out and each was successively in trail to the side of, and behind their respective leader.

-----Moral of the story: Compression can cause one to believe that objects are closer than they appear.

**MarkLawrence** · 2008-10-08, 03:20 PM

Here is the YouTube video of the SAA Cargo display - note the captains being broadcast over the PA system...

CZS_3_uKGms

[Edit] It's rumored that next year, this display will be with2 SAA 737-800's.