Mount Tianmen Hole: Russian aerobats fly it Safe

[L Roebuck]

Russian aerobats fly it safe
2006-03-20

RUSSIAN Air Force daredevils have decided not to fly though a spectacular open mountain cave in China, saying it was too dangerous and could damage aircraft and the environment.

Hunan province officials have praised the Russian Air Force decision not to fly through the Mount Tianmen Hole as a "wise decision."

"We are very happy to hear the Russian aircrafts will not fly through the Tianmen Hole," said Hu Changqing, press officer of the provincial forestry department on Saturday.

Local media had reported that Russian fighter aircraft would perform a stunt by flying through the Tianmen Hole, cut in the mountain 132 meters high, 57 meters wide, and 57 60 meters deep.

But the Russian Air Force decided not to do it. Ecological and environmental protection reports show that low-flying heavy aircraft can cause powerful air currents that can damage both the aircraft and the cave.

www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/03/20/252180/Russian_aerobats_fly_it_safe.htm

[Sharon Faulkner]

I was rather glad to see this event had been re-evaluated. I didn't think flying planes thru a cave was a very good idea anyway. I've never thought of myself as a caving purists by any stretch of the imagination, and have certainly done my share of sport caving and will undoubtedly do more. I guess it would have been exciting to onlookers watching the event though.

[Brian Roebuck]

It is one thing to fly a small light plane through this "cave" (looked more like a hole through the peak of a karst pinnacle to me) and quite another to fly a fighter plane through it. It is certainly big enough and seems to be solid rock with no real plant or animal habitation visible. But one small wind event at the wrong time and splat! I too am glad they will just leave it alone and enjoy it from a distance like the rest of us.

[madratdan]

From the pictures, the 'cave' looks more like an arch to me. I too am glad they called the stunt off. Wise move by whoever made that call.