Aviation Photographers of Southern Ca.

General => General => Topic started by: rander on December 20, 2008, 06:34:11 PM

Title: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: rander on December 20, 2008, 06:34:11 PM
2009 USAF Thunderbirds Schedule

http://thunderbirds.airforce.com/home.html
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: Midnight Mover on December 21, 2008, 10:36:12 AM
Yep, 3 months..... :)
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: gfydad on March 03, 2010, 12:22:49 AM
Giving the Blues' Boss a ride yesterday at Nellis  :)
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: rander on March 03, 2010, 12:45:42 AM
Quote from: gfydad on March 03, 2010, 12:22:49 AM
Giving the Blues' Boss a ride yesterday at Nellis  :)

Exchanging ideas for better air shows??? good they got together.
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: kick Z tail out on March 03, 2010, 07:12:51 AM
I wonder if the Blues taught them how to fly without a G-suit  <laughing>
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: Realbigtaco on March 03, 2010, 07:27:50 AM
Quote from: kick Z tail out on March 03, 2010, 07:12:51 AM
I wonder if the Blues taught them how to fly without a G-suit  <laughing>
I was wondering when you were going to chime in with a comment...I think you went easy on them.  I see that boss is flying with a mask.  I wonder if he even remembered how to use one of those things.
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: rander on March 03, 2010, 06:18:27 PM
Quote from: Realbigtaco on March 03, 2010, 07:27:50 AM
I was wondering when you were going to chime in with a comment...I think you went easy on them.  I see that boss is flying with a mask.  I wonder if he even remembered how to use one of those things.

The Boss is wearing his mask because of his being unfamiliar with the F-16 aircraft. I'd also bet he has a G-suit on too.
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: gfydad on March 03, 2010, 09:10:20 PM
Here's one of Number 6 from yesterday  ;)
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: kick Z tail out on March 04, 2010, 12:10:29 PM
Quote from: Realbigtaco on March 03, 2010, 07:27:50 AM
I was wondering when you were going to chime in with a comment...I think you went easy on them.  I see that boss is flying with a mask.  I wonder if he even remembered how to use one of those things.
Hahaha :D
Quote from: rander on March 03, 2010, 06:18:27 PM
The Boss is wearing his mask because of his being unfamiliar with the F-16 aircraft. I'd also bet he has a G-suit on too.
I don't know about that... I'd bet is has more to do with the USAF and their stick up the butt regulations. ;) But hey, why not wear a G-suit when the Thunderbirds fly their demos that way anyway.


I guess the Thunderbirds sent a pair of theirs down to El Centro today to ride with the Blues. The completion of the exchange program this week.
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: rander on March 04, 2010, 05:59:46 PM
Quote from: kick Z tail out on March 04, 2010, 12:10:29 PM
Hahaha :DI don't know about that... I'd bet is has more to do with the USAF and their stick up the butt regulations. ;) But hey, why not wear a G-suit when the Thunderbirds fly their demos that way anyway.


I guess the Thunderbirds sent a pair of theirs down to El Centro today to ride with the Blues. The completion of the exchange program this week.

The Thunderbirds wear G suits because it is Standard Operating Procedure. The F-16C that the Thunderbirds fly is capable of sustained 9G flight. Even- tho the normal air show routine may not call for 9  G manouvers. G suits for the Flight Demonstration Squadron pilots is a matter of S.O.P.
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: rander on March 04, 2010, 06:33:27 PM
USAF Thunderbirds 2010 air show schedule

http://thunderbirds.airforce.com/schedule.html
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: kick Z tail out on March 05, 2010, 05:57:55 AM
Quote from: rander on March 04, 2010, 05:59:46 PM
The Thunderbirds wear G suits because it is Standard Operating Procedure. The F-16C that the Thunderbirds fly is capable of sustained 9G flight. Even- tho the normal air show routine may not call for 9  G manouvers. G suits for the Flight Demonstration Squadron pilots is a matter of S.O.P.
Already realizing this... Air Force Standard Operating Proceedure is just what I already said. Stick up the butt.  :P It's Air Force SOP that causes the Thunderbirds to delay the start of their air show for 30 minutes while they idle on the taxiiway and perform an exhaustive end of runway FOD check.

The F/A-18 the Blue Angels fly is also capable of sustained 9G flight. Not wearing G suits for the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is a matter of SOP. They do it for a good reason (bladders can upset the stick) but most of us Blue Angels fans point out that the Blues are tougher for flying the same stressful maneuvers with no G suit. :P

Again, I mention all of that because Boss wasn't wearing his mask because he is unfamiliar with the F-16. Wearing a mask does nothing to familiarize yourself to a jet. It was likely Air Force "SOP". :P
Title: Re: USAF Thunderbirds
Post by: gfydad on March 05, 2010, 08:26:12 AM
Here's No 3 coming in...