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Oshkosh is a great place to watch the different kind of flight performances - it is actually a ’show of shows’ where you can see a variety of ‘excerpts’ from many theme-specialized events (like this one: ‘Dave Dacy Airshows’). Of course, there’s been a lot of aerobatic flying performed there, by an array of teams and individual sporty’s pilots.

And it was a sort of natural thing that our attention was attracted to Sergei Boriak, a world-class aerobatic pilot, - ‘born in the USSR’, as myself (he lived in my native Kazakhstan too!), - and my name-sake, to all this

As I learned that Sergei would be performing on the afternoon of July, 25, I set myself on meeting him somehow, and having a chat. First, we found a parking lot occupied by aerobatic planes scheduled for that afternoon show

There were no pilots seen around. ‘OK, I though, let’s have a more closer look at the Su-31′

It was obvious who this plane belonged to..

I inspected the plane from the rear

After having a quick look we left the spot to continue the ‘great Oshkosh Quest’. And later on we saw Sergei performing on his Su-31.

It was not a long performance, we watched it from another area, and after the plane got back on the ground, we began drifting towards the parking lot in hope to meet the pilot.

He’s already gone to somewhere, but the plane still was there

Meanwhile, the Aeroshell Team’s planes roared over the AirVenture’s main arena…

then I noticed a fuel truck pulled over to the Su-31.

It was a sure sign the pilot might show up soon..

..and - yes, - he did, in no time.

As it turned, I was not the only one who was looking for an opportunity to see our famous compatriot. I noticed a group of other Russian speaking men, and it seemed they know Sergei. Done with refueling, Sergei found a moment to approach our improvised group for a small chat

Our chat didn’t last for too long, the aeroshow is an ever moving and dynamic stuff, and Sergei had soon to go back to the plane to taxi it off

Definitely, things were moving too fast on that afternoon, - he probably didn’t even have enough time to have a bite to eat - but an apple would certainly do

And we waived cheerfully at him wishing a nice trip..

P.S.

I long wanted to make this post, but all of a sudden the news came: Sergei’s Su-31 went down in Virginia. Luckily, the pilot walked out of the crash site. He sustained minor injuries, but the plane was destroyed in accident.

It is so sad to hear.

We wish the pilot the fastest recovery,

ДЕРЖИСЬ, ЗЕМЕЛЯ!

Clash