Russian Knights and Swifts: unique aerobatic teams

The Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) aerobatic team performed a demonstration flight at China International Airshow in Zhuhai

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The Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) aerobatic team performed a demonstration flight at China International Airshow in Zhuhai

A team of Sukhoi Su-27s was originally formed on April 5, 1991 at the Kubinka Air Base. Photo: Russian Knights aerobatic team performs maneuvers during celebrations marking the 65th anniversary of the 16th Air Force formation

Five airplanes are usually in the sky during aerobatic team's performances. Photo: Air Force Day in Lipetsk, 2014

Strizhi (Swifts) aerobatic team performs maneuvers on lightweight fighters MiG-29. Photo: Swifts and Russian Knights aerobatic teams are seen performing a demonstration flight at Kubinka air base

MiG-29 was constructed in the 1970s. Photo: A MiG-29 jet fighter aircraft of the Swifts aerobatic team performs a demonstration flight

Both aerobatic teas are welcome guests at the largest air shows and festivals around the world

Russian Knights aerobatic team is the only one in the world who performs stunts on heavy fighters

Russian Knights' Su-27 airplanes keep a minimum distance of 3 meters during a performance

Su-27 is a supermaneuverable multi-purpose fourth generation fighter. Several climb time world records were set by this plane

Only experienced first class pilots are included in both aerobatic teams. All of them spent at least 1 thousand hours in the air

Photo: A MiG-29 jet fighter of the Swifts aerobatic team performs a demonstration flight at an air show on the Russian Air Force Day

Photo: Aerobatic teams fly above the Red Square forming the number 65 during the general rehearsal of the Victory Day parade in Moscow, 2010

In 1993, Swifts aerobatic team was awarded the title of "Best aerobatic team of the world"

Photo: Swifts aerobatic team performs during a parade marking the Russian Navy Day, July 27, 2014

The Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) aerobatic team performed a demonstration flight at China International Airshow in Zhuhai. Russian Knights aerobatic team is the only one in the world that performs stunts on heavy fighters. Together with Strizhi (Swifts) aerobatic team they are often welcome guests at the largest air shows and festivals around the world. Swifts aerobatic team performs maneuvers on lightweight fighters MiG-29. Images of stunts and maneuvers by internationally recognised aerobatic teams - in photo gallery by TASS.