The "Kulbit" (also known as the "Frolov chakra") is an
aerial maneuver developed by
Russian pilots in which the aircraft performs an extremely tight loop, often not much wider than the length of the aircraft itself. It differs from the traditional
inside loop
Aerobatic maneuvers are flight paths putting aircraft in unusual attitudes, in air shows, dogfights or competition aerobatics. Aerobatics can be performed by a single aircraft or in formation with several others. Nearly all aircraft are capab ...
as it uses
post-stall maneuvering capabilities,
a type of
supermaneuverability.
Like most post-stall maneuvers, it demonstrates pitch control outside the normal flight envelope wherein pitch control is made possible by having aerodynamic flow over the aircraft's
elevators or
stabilator
A stabilator is a fully movable aircraft horizontal stabilizer. It serves the usual functions of longitudinal stability, control and stick force requirements otherwise performed by the separate parts of a conventional horizontal stabilizer and el ...
s.
The name "Kulbit" is derived from the
Russian Кульбит, meaning "
somersault". The alternate name, "Frolov's Chakra", refers to Russian test pilot Yevgeni Frolov, the pilot who first carried out the maneuver, while "
chakra
Chakras (, ; sa , text=चक्र , translit=cakra , translit-std=IAST , lit=wheel, circle; pi, cakka) are various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, or the esoteric or ...
" is a
yogic term, meaning "vortex" or "whirlpool".
The Kulbit drastically decreases the aircraft's speed and could theoretically be used to cause a pursuing aircraft to overshoot its target. The maneuver is closely related to the famous "
Pugachev's Cobra" maneuver, but the Kulbit completes the loop that the Cobra almost immediately cuts off.
Aircraft known to be able to execute the "Kulbit"
The following aircraft are currently known to be able to execute the "Kulbit":
*
MiG-29OVT[Double Kulbit by MiG-29OVT](_blank)
/ref>
* Sukhoi Su-30
* Sukhoi Su-35
The Sukhoi Su-35 (russian: link=no, Сухой Су-35; NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable aircraft, design ...
[Kulbit by SU-37](_blank)
/ref>
* Su-47 Berkut
The Sukhoi Su-47 ''Berkut'' (russian: Сухой Су-47 Беркут, translation=Golden Eagle) ( NATO reporting name Firkin), also designated S-32 and S-37 (not to be confused with the twin-engined delta canard designButtler, Tony and Gordon ...
* Sukhoi Su-57
* F-22 Raptor[Archived a]
Ghostarchive
and th
Wayback Machine
[F-22 Raptor Kulbit video](_blank)
/ref>
All have performed the Kulbit in airshow displays in the past.
References
External links
* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20071107080830/http://www.electronicaviation.com/video/download/23/file Video showing the Su-30MKI Flanker showing off its Thrust Vectoring and doing a Cobra and a Kulbit
{{Aerobatics
Aerial maneuvers