ROCAF conducted a takeoff/landing exercise on the highway strip near Huatan （花壇）in Changhwa County on May 15. Aviation photographer Jason Tu, a longtime contributor to this site, went there shortly after midnight in order to find a vantage point. He then slept on his car for only three hours. Here are the fantastic photos he brought back to share with us. Many thanks, Jason!
Note the empty pylons
6814 was carrying two AIM-120C when it landed but all the underwing pylons were empty.
The two IDF came with empty wingtip pylons.
Participating fighter aircraft included F-CK-1B 1608 and 1611, F-16B 6811 and 6814, and Mirage 2000-5Di 2059 and 2062. Note that they are all two-seaters.
After being armed with 500lb bombs, 6811 prepared for the takeoff.
6814 was armed with two 2000lb bombs before takeoff.
Defense Minister Lee Jye prepared to board S-70C-1A 7005, which had carried him to the site earlier.
Wow! Nice photos! Way to go Jason! 辛苦你了﹗
Why all 2 seater? And the “AIM-120C5” on F-16B Block 20 looks like dummy rounds. Actually, all the weapons the planes carried looks like dummy/inert rounds…..
Great pictures. I don’t know the exact reason for twin seater but I can image it is for the safety reason. Two pilots are flying. We know the whole demonstration is more or less a public stunt show and ROCAF have to play it safe. On the other hand, I think it looks ridiculous that they use it due to the basic purpose for two seater is for training instead of combat. Single seat plane is for combat. Does anyone have ever saw twin seater fighter training version used during combat situation except those fighter or bomber design with twin seat such as F-4, F-14, F-111 and A-6? This is just my opinion.
Hi, what about in Topgun? Maverick flew with Goose when fighting mig??
Were they flying F-14?
Yes, it was F-14, front is the pilot, rear seat is RIO (radar intercept officer) which is Goose that he is responsible for operating the extremely powerful AN/AWG-9 radar. The F-4 has the same configuration.
Having an extra pair of eyes aboard should help a lot in navigation and approach. Using two-seaters is also enough to show that single-seaters can land and take-off with at least the same amount of fuel and loadout.