Accomplished display pilot Rick Volker was looking for avionics to meet his exacting operational requirements, in both his certified and experimental aircraft.
Rick chose Trig to equip his Sukhoi SU-26M aircraft – flown at airshows across North America and Canada. He demonstrates complete mastery of the aircraft’s flight envelope – pushing the boundaries of both low and high-speed flight in a tight display, that superbly shows off this remarkable aircraft.
Rick’s SU-26M carries the Trig logo, highlighting the fact that he relies upon the quality and reliability of Trig’s certified radio and transponder. Rick has a TY91 VHF radio for communication and TT22 ADS-B Out capable transponder installed in the tiny SU-26M panel. As an Experimental aircraft Rick uses the Trig TN72 GPS Position Source, in combination with his TT22 this meets 14 CFR 91.227 and makes the aircraft 2020 ADS-B compliant, vital as he flies to and from shows across the U.S.
Rick’s pink Sukhoi SU-26M was originally designed by the Soviets, with just one job in mind – to become a world class aerobatic aircraft. This it achieved by using an ultra-high lift wing featuring a massive symmetrical camber. The aircraft’s titanium and composite airframe withstands G loads that are un-survivable by humans, even Rick. The nearly 400 horsepower, Vendeneyev M-14P radial engine has a better than 1:1 thrust to weight ratio. The result is a plane that can fly in unique attitudes, impossible in other types. Rick’s routine shows this power through both artistry and athleticism – alternating frequently between violent maneuvers and delicate finesse.
Winner of numerous unlimited aerobatic contests Rick is also a keen athlete. His fitness is critical to coping with the punishing forces that aerobatic flight exerts on the human body. Flying the SU-26M Rick alternates between plus-11 and minus-9 Gs in the same manoeuvre!
His experience as a warbird pilot is impressive, Rick displays a WWII Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX, as a member of the exclusive Canadian Heritage Flight Team. He is one of a very few pilots in the world qualified to fly both the Messerschmitt Bf109E and G models. Other warbirds that he displays include the Hawker Hurricane MK XII and the Harvard Mk. IV.