'First to arrive at Kilp-Yavr in early September were 4 Su-27s from the
159th
Guards and 2 Su-27s from the 177th Fighter Regiments. Good weather allowed
four flying days with pilots of the 9th Guards Fighter Regiment, and during
this period "Guests" acquainted themselves with the operation area and the
firing range. On 16th September at Kilp-Yavr arrived 4 MiG-31s from the
458th Guards Fighter Regiment which also were to take part at missile
practice. For the first time the Kilp-Yavr airfield hosted representatives
of all fighter regiments of the 6th VVs-PVO Army, and they were to
demostrate their prowness with missiles.
In the following week three flying days of standard fighter training
exercises were planned, including use of air-to-air missile duds. But all
the plans were changed considerably by weather. In the first day of flights
pilots enjoyed good weather, but on Tuesday they were greeted by low
overcast and small showers with strong gusts of northern wind. Flights were
cancelled till Wednesday, but on that day rain turned into snow, by
afternoon hills around the airfield were all-white with snow, and the
runway
was covered with ice. Flights again were cancelled, till Thursday.
On Thursday weather conditions were much better - very bright sun and
visibility "million by million", as pilots say, though the temperature
dropped from +15C to -2C. It should be hoted that in contrast to Western...."
Even more read in magazine "Vzlet"
http://www.take-off.ru/asp/main11_2006
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