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We fly with Martin Mattes in his Bandit Airshows L-29 Delphin C-GXZX based at Tillsonburg Airport. Martin Mattes is a retired Canadian Air Force Captain and holds an aerobatic waiver in both the Yak-52 and Aero L-29.
The L-29 Delfin is a Czechoslovakian built aircraft once used by Russia as their primary Jet Trainer although several countries have used the L-29 in attack fighter rolls. Rated for G loads of plus 8 and minus 5 the aircraft is a great airshow performer. Martin’s L-29 was once flown by Russian Super Model Natalia Gynku and retains the same markings it wore when she flew the aircraft.
May 9th saw temperatures hit 30C at CYTB so Martin is seen doing his pre-flight checks inside the hangar.
The rear-seat is relatively easy to access. Two steps to climb up and then stand on the seat and sit down. The seat is a little snug and not much legroom but lots of shoulder room.
Acceleration is gentle.
Sitting low in the rear-seat I often held the camera up to get a better field of vision out the side of the cockpit.
On the take-off roll I notice forward visibility is limited. Surprisingly the cockpit was very quiet considering I was just wearing a headset. The L-29 is very stable and gives a good sense of strength and reliability.
We climb to 4,000ft and head for London CYXU. The Jet Aircraft Museum was hosting an Open House and Jet Provost ground school so we decided to do a low and over. We are seen on the downwind for runway 15.
Crossing Fanshawe Lake on final for our low and over down runway 15.
We are seen passing London tower.
5G pull as we climb out from YXU and up to 6,000ft.
We report inbound to CYTB and announce our intentions to perform airwork above the airport between 4,000-6,000ft. Our first maneuver is a Cuban-eight. Good solid pulls with crisp half rolls.
A wing-over to reposition for a slow roll then a four point roll.
After a few maneuvers I could feel the heat and sweat building. There is no doubt this aircraft gets very hot to fly in the summer.
With the airspace clear we drop down for a top-side pass at CYTB.
This view shows our approach for the top-side pass. Coyles Country Store and runway 08 are visible.
We then set up for the break for landing. 400kph over the numbers then a tight 5G break and climb to bleed off speed in order to drop the gear and flaps.
Forward visibility on landing is limited from the back seat.
The nose is kept high for aerodynamic braking and eventually falls. At that point the brakes are used to slow the aircraft down to taxi speed.
A special thanks to Martin Mattes for such a pleasurable flight and introducing me to the L-29 Delphin.
Martin is available for airshow and movie work and can be contacted at his Bandit Airshows website at http://www.banditairshows.com/ Martin also owns and operates a Yak-52.
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