5 heart-stopping maneuvers performed by the Russian Knights aerobatic team.

The performances are highly dangerous and require seamless coordination and teamwork among the members of the ensemble.

The synchronized twisting and face-cutting movements of the Russian Knight.

The Russian Knights are one of the most famous aerobatic teams of the Russian Air Force, and also the only team in the world that uses only heavy fighter jets. Their signature performances include aerobatics and maneuvers in formations of 4 or 6 aircraft, sometimes with a distance of only one meter between pairs. The Russian Knights' performances always leave audiences breathless due to their danger, and admiring of their precision, according to RBTH.

Synchronous twisting and face cutting

Barrel rolls were once one of the maneuvers used by fighter pilots to escape enemy aircraft during World War II. In the Russian Knights' performance, each fighter jet has its own flight path, but must ensure synchronization with the entire formation to create the impression of a unified unit.

After completing the maneuver, the aircraft on either side will separate into formation. The two leading aircraft of the formation will fly parallel to each other before turning 270 degrees and crossing each other's flight paths. This gives the audience below the impression that the two fighter jets are about to collide.

Only the most experienced pilots of the Russian Knights were allowed to perform the cutting-off maneuver, as even a small mistake could cause the two planes to collide, or one to fly into the path of the other fighter and lose control.

Nesterov's loop

This maneuver, also known as a circular loop, is named after Pyotr Nesterov, the pilot who created and performed the display in 1913, marking the first time an aircraft in the world could perform aerobatics in mid-air. The Russian Knights usually perform loops with a formation of six aircraft, or combine with the Swallows aerobatic team to create the famous "Kubinka Diamond" formation.

Russian Knights and Swallows perform Nesterov somersaults.

Similar to synchronized loops, Nesterov loops require intense concentration from the pilot to maintain a formation distance of only a few meters between aircraft, as well as to create a unified appearance when viewed from the ground.

The bell

This is one of the most classic maneuvers performed by Su-27, Su-30, and MiG-29 fighters. It's also known as the "falling leaf" maneuver, and it was a heart-stopping moment when Soviet pilots first performed it in 1988.

Russian Knights fighter jets perform the bell-ringing maneuver.

The "Bell" maneuver is a difficult flight technique, showcasing the pilot's skill and the aircraft's superior maneuverability. After soaring straight up and reaching optimal altitude, the pilot reduces throttle to a minimum, causing the aircraft's speed to gradually decrease to zero. At that point, the fighter jet begins to freefall in the opposite direction, creating the illusion of flying backward in the air. The pilot waits for the nose of the aircraft to descend and then increases throttle, completing the performance.

In their performances, the Russian Knights often release heat traps to create a light show for the audience below.

Reflector

This heart-stopping maneuver exemplifies the pilot's precision and demonstrates the trust and coordination among the crew members.

A Russian knight performs the mirror-reflection pose. Photo: Marina Lystseva.

As they fly past the audience, one plane will flip upside down and fly parallel to the other, creating the illusion that the two fighters are back-to-back. In reality, the upside-down fighter is flying slightly to the right and higher than the other, but the perspective from the ground creates the illusion that they are very close together.

This maneuver is highly difficult, requiring the pilot to concentrate on maintaining the flight path and avoiding collisions.

Guardian Angel

This is one of the signature maneuvers of the Russian Knights. The squadron first performed this flight in 2013 to celebrate its 22nd anniversary.

Angel wings created by Russian knights.

The flight exercise began with a diamond formation of four fighters. They would climb to a high altitude, the two in the center maintaining the flight direction, while the other two fighters circled to either side. This maneuver was combined with firing each heat decoy with high precision, guiding the smoke in the correct direction and creating the image of giant angel wings in the sky.

According to VNE