Russian Thunder

By Ralph McCormick

March 15 -As I stood watching an air show that was being performed under a 1,700 ft ceiling, I noticed a red Yak come out of the bottom of its loop just a few feet above the runway.  I could hear the crowd gasp in awe.  I had to stretch my neck to see if the plane touched the asphalt.  It was that close.  I wondered what makes a man do that?  There was no doubt that the pilot in that red Yak had a real talent.

I watched the pilot taxied over to the ramp, after his performance.  The pilot was Eric Beard; the airplane was “Russian Thunder”.  Why thunder?  "Russian Thunder" has a supercharged 360 HP, nine cylinder radial engine with a propeller that is 8 feet long. This combination produces a sound so different; you can "Feel the Thunder".  The crowd loved the performance.  The entire routine was performed between ground and 1,700 feet.  That is quite an achievement. 

Who is this pilot?  Eric's thirty year love affair with aviation began at the age of fourteen, when he started taking flying lessons at a crop dusting strip in Georgia.  He would ride his bicycle to the airport, to fuel and clean the airplanes in exchange for flying time.

Working with airplanes was just the start for Eric.  He had his eyes on the stars and later went to work in NASA's space program, working on Space Shuttles and Titan Rockets.

After years of flying straight and level, aerobatics began for Eric in the early 80's.  He took his first aerobatic lesson in a Cessna Aerobat.  He was hooked from the first loop. Eric continues to polish his aerobatic skills, flying international competition, and continues to compete in the Yak 54.

Eric is a seasoned professional with over eleven air show seasons and hundreds of performances to his credit. Flying the “Russian Thunder” Yak 54, with its truly unlimited performance and 360 Horse Power is an aerobatic pilots dream come true.  Eric is the former wing pilot of the AcroFlyers Aerobatic Team. The power of the Yak 54 can be very demanding during the air show routine. It requires intense concentration, practice and skill to fly with precision at low altitudes.

Eric, currently lives in Auburn, Washington, is President of Aircraft Appraisers & Technical Advisors, Inc. and holds an Airline Transport Rating.

"Russian Thunder" is one of only 7 Yak 54s flying in the world. This very rare aircraft was manufactured in Sarotov, Russia in 1996. Although the Yak name goes back to the late 30's this aircraft is the very latest design coming out of Russia.

Designed in 1995, the Yakevlev Design Bureau's mission was to build a two seat aircraft capable of unlimited aerobatics at the world class level, and World Class it is. +9/-7Gs is what "Russian Thunder" is designed to take, and that is where it is flown. High G turns, multiple rolls and gyroscopic tumbles are just a few of the maneuvers you will see.

Don't be fooled, Size Matters. Twice the size of the "'quick little" monoplanes, "Russian Thunder" is big and powerful. This size advantage appears closer and lower, sending the crowd home feeling "Satisfied" knowing they have seen something special.

There is something special about the performance Eric Beard in “Russian Thunder”.   The night, that’s right, night aero show and fireworks display by Eric will astound you.  If you would like to know more about Eric and “Russian Thunder” go to www.fly-low.com to our links page and select Russian Thunder.