Aviation Nation
Quote: BuzzardNot exactly everybody>>>> The worst air-show crash in history, says The Daily Beast, was at the Ramstein air base in Germany in 1988 when the Italian air force team, Frecce Tricolori, flying a stunt called "the pierced heart," ended with three of the jets colliding and slicing through a crowd of spectators, killing 70 and seriously injuring 346 others.
That video is on the internet. It is terrifying.
I love air shows, I remember my first one from the early '60s. I've probably been to 30 or 40 in my life. I used to get VIP tickets to the NE PA Army Air Force show, seats right on the runway and a tent with free food and beer, but when they redesigned the airport the air space rating changed and there is no show any more. Now the closest is a great one, the Reading World War 2 Weekend show, but that is a hard weekend for me to get away for, 4 of the past 5 years we've gone on vacation then. I would HIGHLY recommend that show for history buffs. It is 3 days, and it is freakin' incredible. Check the website, even if you don't go.
Quote: BuzzardNot exactly everybody>>>> The worst air-show crash in history, says The Daily Beast, was at the Ramstein air base in Germany in 1988 when the Italian air force team, Frecce Tricolori, flying a stunt called "the pierced heart," ended with three of the jets colliding and slicing through a crowd of spectators, killing 70 and seriously injuring 346 others.
My mom's family lives near there. But I still go to air shows here! I call it "Our tax dollars at play." I love the sound and don't mind the smell.
Often the most dangerous flight is always after an air show.
Acrobatics takes a special endorsement on a license and the airplane.
Most small planes are designed for several more "g"s than an airliner is designed to withstand.
Quote: FleaStiffAirshows in the USA are usually planned so the "scatter pattern" avoids spectators but one can never be sure.
The one I went to in September had the Blue Angels flying over the crowd at times. This was in the same city where this happened Easter weekend:
The photo was taken by a student at my sons' school!
Quote: MrVEveryone likes a good air show.
Aviation Nation
No B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber? They would never have it on the ground but a flyover would be nice. Another one of my favorites that I didn't see in the program is the Osprey helicopter used primarily but not exclusively by the Marine Corps.
Quote: 1BBQuote: MrVEveryone likes a good air show.
Aviation Nation
No B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber? They would never have it on the ground but a flyover would be nice. Another one of my favorites that I didn't see in the program is the Osprey helicopter used primarily but not exclusively by the Marine Corp.
One of my favorites is the Harrier. VTOL rocks!
Quote: FarFromVegasQuote: 1BBQuote: MrVEveryone likes a good air show.
Aviation Nation
No B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber? They would never have it on the ground but a flyover would be nice. Another one of my favorites that I didn't see in the program is the Osprey helicopter used primarily but not exclusively by the Marine Corp.
One of my favorites is the Harrier. VTOL rocks!
Yes, yes the Jump Jet. Straight up and straight down. Just awesome!
A few years ago there was an F-104 Starfighter demonstration team making the circuit; I don't know if they are still around, I know I can Google it and find out. I've always wanted to see that plane, that team, I've read that the show they put on is great. If I recall, they set a speed record for sea level flight; not bad for a 50 year old design. Lockheed was (and is) always ahead of their time.
Edited to add what I found about the speed record; I knew it was something remarkable, but I was hazy on the circumstances:
Quote:Lockheed test pilot Darryl Greenamyer built a F-104 out of parts he had collected. The aircraft, N104RB, first flew in 1976. On 2 October 1976, trying to set a new low-altitude 3-km speed record, Greenamyer averaged 1,010 mph at Mud Lake near Tonopah, Nevada. A tracking camera malfunction eliminated the necessary proof for the official record. On 24 October 1977 Greenamyer flew a 3 km official FAI record flight of 988.26 mph.
Civil Starfighters
From the fastest jets to the slowest biplanes... parachutists, wingwalkers, static displays, all of it. I love air shows.
