ladies and gentlemen America's ambassadors in blue the United States
Air Force Thunderbirds
one of the most universal Indian legends is that of a Thunderbird a great and
invincible power that flew from heavenly Heights
it's flashing eyes and thunderous speed warded off danger the legend lives
you
good afternoon ladies and gentlemen your United States Air Force Thunderbirds are
extremely pleased to be with you today you see the Thunderbird maintenance
crews and Thunderbird pilots beginning to march out to their respective
aircraft and we sincerely hope that you will enjoy today's demonstration
you see position before you the pilots maintenance crews and six f-16 to be
used in today's demonstration and now ladies and gentlemen let's begin the
flying demonstration these men train extremely hard to perfect their combat
flying skills and the world's most advanced fighters they are here today to
show Americans like yourself what their skill and courage behind an incredible
performer like the f-16 falcon means to America let's check it out first end and
go for a high-powered ride
ready down
at this point these aircraft are generating more than 100,000 pounds of
thrust
for them what you are about to see is wondrously beautiful but keep in mind
behind the beauty of each maneuver
second off the Thunderbird pilots are constantly executing the diverse and
intricate combat flying skills talked to all Air Force pilots during their
training now to your right the Thunderbird Hanson review this pass will
allow you to see the tightness of the diamond formation providing an excellent
Thunderbird six will now demonstrate the rapid roll capability of the f16 air off
his roll rate will exceed 300 degrees per second now
Thunderbird six with for maximum performance Iran rolls
approaching from your left is the Arrowhead formation watches the
Thunderbirds art through the sky much like the path of an arrow the
Thunderbirds and Carol have role
the solo pilots are rendering to perform of hosing for my lord show Center each
pilot of complete a 360 degree stopping precisely in each 90 degree point from
your left you will see the diamond formation approaching for the diamond
roll watch the ballet light precision as each wingman maintains perfect position
on the leader the graceful diamond roll
look directly ahead and you will see the two solos approaching for the crossover
break and now the breathtaking crossover break
you're right Thunderbirds are now in trail formation it is a difficult
maneuver to fly as any movement ripples down the formations during the pull the
leader will call for a change into the diamond the wingman and slot pilot will
then move swiftly and smoothly to their diamond positions
behind the precision flying and the admiring crowd is a large talented corps
of specialists and support people who keep the pilots and planes performing on
time
in fact in there more than 30 year history the remarkable Thunderbirds
support crews have kept pilots and planes performing at nearly 100 air
shows annually not to mention the 100,000 miles plus of travel between
show sites without cancellation or curtailment of a single air show due to
maintenance difficulties call it what you will dedication skill teamwork
esprit de corps or attention to detail they all fit it's why any team member
will tell you once a Thunderbird always a Thunderbird under five has just
demonstrated tactical surprise the ability of a small extremely
maneuverable fighter to enter a target area undetected and safely exit at high
speed now look to your right to see the Thunderbird diamond with gear and flaps
extended as they slow through landing speed they will fly the length of the
demonstration area when you see solo diving on the far horizon and hot
pursuit of the diamond though it's hard to detect solos profile he's there and
coming at a closure rate in excess of 10 miles per minute this challenge catch
the diamond right here at show centre impossible let's see
solo is now pulling five times his body weight in g-force and yet under such
pressure he must precisely execute complex and ever-changing angles and air
speeds to overtake and slide smoothly into formation with the diamond the
Thunderbird air demonstration is designed to test men and aircraft to the
upper limits of their capacities you might call it a proficiency test of the
red white and blue let's watch several key moments that further demonstrate the
proficiency of these men and their advanced aircraft Blackstock solo enters
show centre and banking sharply execute on i.t turn of 360 degrees with a radius
barely wider than three and a half football fields a demonstration of why
the f16 is considered the world's most maneuverable fight now the diamond
formation from the opposite direction making the same maneuver only this time
with an added dimension a wingtip to wingtip formation to sustain a precision
formation while in a continuous high g-force requires exceptional pilot
physical condition coordination and proficiency
properly now Thunderbird six enters again to perform the maximum climb a
second is the f16 climbs from ground level to over 12,000 feet demonstrating
the tremendous thrust and rolling at the f16 and now combining all the skills and
performance into one sensational finale the Thunderbirds most popular maneuver
the bomb burst - the crossover step back
right on aligned
seven converging from before points of the compass at a closure rate nearing
1,000 miles per hour each of the four pilots must
continuously and accurately compensate for winds and relative position by
changing air speed and direction as needed the difficult made to look easy
another good one complete this man and his team are tired but happy however
their day probably isn't complete to quote another American of kindred spirit
but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep and so a brief rest
before off to tomorrow's show sack
late as it is there's time for one more pass this one's special a salute from
all funder Byrd's past and present to the land they love and serve so proudly
you