AntonS

This year I took a number of SU flights, including LAX-SVO, JFK-SVO, LHR-SVO and SVO-AER.

Almost every SU flight had several "interesting" moments with sharp turns, fast accelerations and unusually quick ascents / descents. These events were not go-arounds and there was no communication from the crew. These "moments" happened both in Russian airspace and overseas.

It was actually fun and I do not mind it as long as it's safe. But I keep wondering if SU pilots did some sort of hard core hand flying on purpose?

In my flying life I had a few go-arounds and one TCAS on other airlines, but normally my flights are very smooth... except SU.

Concerto

gosha83

I am not sure about what you mean re "the rest" because as an AA ExPlat, I feel very good when I travel on S7, the 2nd largest Russian carrier and a member of OneWorld. Outside of SU and S7, I'd agree that I would not fly with a Russian airline. But between those two, you have most of the routes in/out of Russia covered.

Concerto

Cedar Jet

I think those flights you experienced extra g-forces on were training flights.....for the captains 11 yr old son. I wouldn't fly a Russian carrier for free.

spongenotbob

ricktoronto

They may have been ex-Afghanistan or ex-Syrian military pilots used to dodging ground to air missiles and such and it's carried over as a reflex.

a7m

Every single flight? It's either an exaggeration or bad luck. I have no reasons to praise SU as I move toward flying with other airlines now, but my frequent flights with them are typically much smoother than when I flew this year on Hawaiian, Delta, United, American, Iberia, BA, and SAS. It helps to keep in mind, though, that SU pilots are not as communicative as American pilots, who feel obliged to keep you updated about minor flight developments. But thanks for offering some participants here an occasion to test their jokes or reveal their prejudices.

bankops

Each airline has their own "style" which is born out of their training, manuals and procedures. Where you sit in the plane can also change your perception of what is happening. Southwest and Ryanair will climb and turn steeper than AA or AF. SU is in between. Fast accelerations is a new one to me as the throttle setting is pretty much fixed for each phase of flight. After takeoff there isn't really any way to "accelerate". Climbs and descents are also fairly standard for ATC purposes. The only way you could know the rate of climb/descent is through the angle, which would again be differently perceived depending on where you are sitting. Climbing out of NY or LA is pretty well regulated by ATC through the clearance altitudes and fully loaded 777's aren't in a hurry to climb fast as it only wastes fuel.

Almost tail strike? Tail strikes can occur on takeoff by over-rotating and thus too steep an angle of attack. They are still fairly rare. On landing, the flare is nothing compared to the angle on takeoff so I doubt you almost had a tail strike.

eastindywalrus

So, before responding to this, I wanted to wait until my BUD-SVO flight this morning to see how that was. When I read your comment, it reminded me of some of the very steep climbs and descents I've experienced on SU previously. Personally, I enjoyed it, though the decent made for some serious ear-pressure action.

Anyways, we taxied onto the runway at Budapest as another plane landing on the runway flew over us. We sat at the end of the runway as that plane finished its landing and taxied off. But the SU pilot applied the brakes and went full throttle on the engines. I kid you not, we sat stationary at full power at the end of the runway for just under 60 seconds. Meanwhile, I'm scratching my head but nevertheless enjoying the view out of 7F right next to the engine intake - there was a constant upwards water tornado off of the wet runway into the engine, kinda fun to watch.

Anyways, finally the brakes are released and we fly down the runway. Takeoff was as steep as I remember SU being.

I don't know that there's any need for concern as some other commenters have mentioned, but I do wonder if the tendency for SU pilots to do this sort of thing stems from their training... And if so, where that was picked up from for training. The ex-military theory might not be a bad one. Today's takeoff felt like a military one - get up quick and out of range of stingers.

ilcannone

I can't say I've ever noticed anything like that on UTair, Ural Airlines, S7, Aeroflot (my primary airline within Russia), Yakutia, or Pobeda. Perhaps it's just sheer misfortune.