Just over a month ago, on 6 January, a new world record was established: that of the most helicopters flying in formation. a total of 30 helicopters of all types (Gazelles, Mil Mi-17’s, Mil Mi-28’s, Mil Mi-35’s, Bell OH-58’s, Bell 407’s, Kaman SH-2’s and UH-2’s) flew over Baghdad (Iraq) for thirty minutes.
The operation was organized by Captain Fareed Lafta, nicknamed the "Iraqi Superman." At 37, the man is in fact, at one and the same time, a fighter pilot, astronaut, extreme skydiver and seasoned parachutist. The record has been certified by the Guinness Book of Records, but no video has yet come to light.
The previous record, filmed this time (see video), dates back to last summer. On 6 June, 2015 at Bunkovo heliport in Russia, 125 miles (200 kilometres) north of Moscow, where 25 Robinson helicopters took to the air. The two leaders, Evgeny and Alexander Kabanov, led the way to establish a stupendous formation flight, lasting several minutes, with the helicopters forming a diamond in the Russian sky.
To achieve this feat, it took the 25 private pilots more than a year’s training and preparation. But the result was well worth it.
cet
Posté the 02/09/2016 12:01 am
Just another day in the 7th Air Cav in the Nam.
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Jim
Posté the 02/09/2016 2:14 am
I flew in formation with twice than many helicopters loaded with troops during Operation Junction City in1967 in Viet Nam.
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cgray
Posté the 03/27/2016 4:54 am
You must have been with "The Herd" 173 Abn Bde
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Dan
Posté the 02/09/2016 4:28 pm
I dropped down to the comments to mention the same thing the previous gentlemen have stated...I know there were many operations in SEA with larger formations and then it struck me.....nobody submitted them to Guinness to claim the bragging rights. Oh well.
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aeronewstv
Posté the 02/11/2016 11:33 am
Hi, thank-you for your comments. A Press Relation Manager of Guinness World Records Ltd. informed us that they are only able to comment on records that have been submitted to and officially verified by Guinness World Records. That is why the Helicopter Formation Flight of 6th January 2016 is "officially" the largest. Best regards.
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Sorryman
Posté the 02/09/2016 6:23 pm
Article needed a lot more research.
They published 119 aircraft for our graduation flyby at Rucker in 69. Not all were
R/W, but well over 85 or 90 were. Helicopter assaults in RVN often ran 25-35 aircraft and occasionally larger..
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aeronewstv
Posté the 02/11/2016 11:32 am
Hi, thank-you for your comments. A Press Relation Manager of Guinness World Records Ltd. informed us that they are only able to comment on records that have been submitted to and officially verified by Guinness World Records. That is why the Helicopter Formation Flight of 6th January 2016 is "officially" the largest. Best regards.
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Don Coyote
Posté the 02/10/2016 3:03 pm
10-4 to the fraternity of combat pilots of Vietnam. I instructed in Iran for more four years. Multi-aircraft formation? Very difficult for Pilots of Iran. The background green hedge roe fields aren't common In the Tehran area. Iran is semi-arid country. Please explain. Don Coyote
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aeronewstv
Posté the 02/11/2016 11:17 am
Hi everyone, thank-you for your comments. A Press Relation Manager of Guinness World Records Ltd. informed us that they are only able to comment on records that have been submitted to and officially verified by Guinness World Records. That is why the Helicopter Formation Flight of 6th January 2016 is "officially" the largest. Best regards.
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Sandpiper
Posté the 02/10/2016 7:43 pm
Rucker class 69-24 anyone?
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Sandpiper (guest)
Posté the 02/09/2016 12:42 am
When I graduated U.S.Army flight school in 1969 I'm pretty sure we had this beat. Maybe not for duration but quantity for sure. And, we only had to train for 9 months!!
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Captain (guest)
Posté the 02/09/2016 4:35 am
Please research before writing. Sandpiper is correct. Remember the 22000 helicopter pilots trained during the Vietnam Nam War? Our formations often far exceeded 30 Aircraft!
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Captain (guest)
Posté the 02/15/2016 8:03 pm
I will submit my 8mm home movies taken by my wife during Army Graduation Flyover, 1968 to Guinness. Hopefully we can help set the record upright, at the same time honoring all of us that served in the RVN R/W World so very long ago.
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