>>> Flight through hole-in-the-sky foiled
by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 18 Mar 2006

CONCERNS for the natural wonder’s ecology and environment prevailed in the end.

They dashed the hopes of a Russian aerobatic team of supersonic Sukhoi SU-27s to streak through the unique Zhangjiajie rock cave in Hunan province, China.

Provincial authorities stopped the aerial stunt to prevent further erosion and damage to the narrow cave known locally as “Tian Men” (Sky Gate in Chinese). Only 28m broad at one point, Tian Men measures 60m deep and 132m high. Experts felt that the aircraft's slipstream, jet exhaust and sound waves might even damage the aircraft during the stunt.

The cave gained fame in 1999 when planes flew through it during an air display contest.

The Sukhoi team is taking part in a three-day air display to celebrate the Year In Russia festival. Twenty thousand tickets are up for grabs with the costliest at RMB6,800 each.

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