Thanks to “Fighter Sweep” we have this following news story about the two U.S. military aviation demonstration teams’ exhibition over NAS Pensacola, Florida, home of the Navy’s principal Flight Training Station. See the below 1:11 long video. You may ask, “what’s it mean to swap paint?” The video explains.
And why were the Thunderbirds joining up with the Blue Angels? It was the 71st Birthday for the Blue Angels, and the USAF Team crashed their party. They hadn’t done this since 2002. But it was a friendly exchange of not just greetings and airborne teamwork, but also of ideas and mutually similar experiences in the crowd thrilling exhibition business. For the “younger” Thunderbirds, it was their 70th birthday. This video is 1:53 long.
Air Force and Navy Flight Demonstration Teams join for group portrait at Pensacola, FL in celebration of the Blue Angels’ 71st Birthday.
Earlier, here below, is a USAF KC-135Tanker refueling the Navy’s Blue Angels exhibition team in mid-flight. This clip is 1:01 long, and shows some beautiful footage of the refueling action as it takes place. One of our more active FASF members, Col. Alan Fisher, accumulated many hours flying this same tanker during his USAF career.
Well, as you’d expect, they’re a far cry from the early Curtiss OX-5 reciprocating engines that powered the First Aero’s famous Jennies, but since they might otherwise be unknown to you, we’re here to help you learn what these engines are. We’re here to help bring you all up to speed about aviation, since American Civil as well as Military Aviation (Air Power) both got their true launching – and re-launching – right here in Columbus.
And, is it not true that the airplane has done more to shrink the effective size of the world than any other invention?
Enjoy this excellent 10 minute video, featuringAustralian Professor, David Mee, about the ultimate jet – – – the SCRAMJET power plant for hypersonic flight.
SCRAMJETS are NOT rocket engines, such as those we see pushing our space craft into orbits and beyond.
These advanced SCRAMJET engines are not only unimaginably powerful, but they can push aircraft well beyond MACH 6, which is six (6) times the speed of sound, for those of you not familiar with the meaning of MACH.
The finest jet engines cannot drive their aircraft beyond about MACH 3.5, at which speed limit the Ramjet is required. Then we can move the craft beyond MACH 3.5 to about MACH 6, – – – and that’s the speed at which the SCRAMJET takes over . . .
QUESTION: What class of the above described jet engines were used to power the famous SR-71 flown by the First Aero Squadron?
The above video is 6:44 long and is a promotional release of General Electric itself.
Although the above video was produced by the aviation engine giant itself, it nevertheless realistically describes the large corporation’s significant gamble on its new jet engine program. The short film, itself, is decisively intructive about the actual process of working from a new design philosophy to a down-to-earth production program in a complex manufacturing enterprise.
One of GE’s major competitors in this aviation field, Rolls Royce, Ltd., of Great Britain, also invested heavily in a huge research and innovation program in its own aircraft engine division, which led to the famous company’s bankruptcy back in 1971. This crisis was blamed on the huge investments made to devolop a new power plant for the U.S. Lockheed Aircraft Company, which needed the new RR engine for its L-1011 program. The bankruptcy was considered so critical to England’s own national economy – and future – that the UK’s Conservative Majority in Parliament took over . . . and nationalized the great motor giant.
In 1990, GE’s Brian Rowe bet $2 billionon a revolutionary jet engine design that would go on to influence three decades of propulsion. The GE90’s concept, architecture and technologies allowed for extraordinary gains in the aviation industry, culminating in the new GE9X engine for the Boeing 777X.
In more than a century of building engines and powering flight, “GE Aviation has never stopped innovating.” Here’s the official corporate statement; “That’s because the corporate giant believes there is always a way to do things better. GE works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works.”
Learn, from this video, how the GE90 influenced every engine from the last three decades. The revolutionary technologies of the GE9X will take it to the next level.
And understand “how GE is bringing the future of flight to today¹s aircraft when you subscribe to the GE Aviation Channel at youtube.com/user/GEAviation. GE Aviation is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft, and ship propulsion applications. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. Connect with GE Aviation Online: Visit GE Aviation’s Website: http://geaviation.com Find GE Aviation on Google +: https://google.com/+GEAviation1 Follow GE Aviation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GEAviation Follow GE Aviation on Instagram: https://instagram.com/geaviation/ Find GE Aviation on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/geaviation
Paula McLain, author of the phenomenal bestseller The Paris Wife, now returns with her keenly anticipated new novel, transporting readers to colonial Kenya in the 1920s. Circling the Sunbrings to life a fearless and captivating woman—Beryl Markham, a record-setting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter Denys Finch Hatton and Karen Blixen, who as Isak Dinesenwrote the classic memoir Out of Africa.
Brought to Kenya from England as a child and then abandoned by her mother, Berylis raised by both her father and the native Kipsigis tribe who share his estate. Her unconventional upbringing transforms Beryl into a bold young woman with a fierce love of all things wild and an inherent understanding of nature’s delicate balance. But even the wild child must grow up, and when everything Berylknows and trusts dissolves, she is catapulted into a string of disastrous relationships.
Beryl forges her own path as a horse trainer, and her uncommon style attracts the eye of the Happy Valley set, a decadent, bohemian community of European expats who also live and love by their own set of rules. But it’s the ruggedly charismatic Denys Finch Hatton who ultimately helps Beryl navigate the uncharted territory of her own heart. The intensity of their love reveals Beryl’struest self and her fate: to fly.
Set against the majestic landscape of early-twentieth-century Africa, McLain’s powerful tale reveals the extraordinary adventures of a woman before her time, the exhilaration of freedom and its cost, and the tenacity of the human spirit.
As of this date, the movie version of Ms. McClain has not yet been released, so keep your eyes busy looking for it opening.
Much of the above piece is thanks to HuffPost journalist, Rebecca Ford.
One day short of their 4th month of existence, the officers and enlisted men of the 1st Aero Squadron stationed at Texas City, Texas, celebrated the Fourth of July with a special meal. This menu also lists a roster of all the personnel assigned to the United States’ first operational flying squadron back in 1913. (U.S. Air Force photo).
Upon the orders of then President Taft, the Army’s 2nd Division was movilized to protect our border with Mexico, because of increasing dangers that the Mexican Revolution might spill over into the United States – – – and part of that Army Division was organized into the nation’s first active duty Army Aviation Squadron: The First Aero Squadron.
Only 4 months into their existence, the men of that unit celebrated their Nation’s Independence with a formal Dinner Party, and printed the below menu, which is in the National Museum of the Air Force’s Archives. If you click to enlarge the below photo, your will be able to easily see the front side of the Menu, where you will recognize the imprint of the American Eagle sitting above the title of the FIRST AERO SQUADRON. . . along with the date of the Dinner.
Menu from the July 4th 1913 Formal Dinner held by the four month old new First Aero Squadron located in Texas City, Texas. Notice that all the Squadron’s Personnel are listed. Click on Menu’s image above to see it in HD quality.
1914 Panaramic Photo of FAS Personnel at their new duty station on North Island, San Diego, California. Click on the photo to see it in high resolution. To the left in this photo, you can recognize some of their Curtiss manufactured Jenny R-2’s, the first planes used two years later at the beginning of the Punitive Expedition inot Mexico from Columbus, NM.
Have you ever noticed that the lower part of the Boeing 737NG engines appear flat? What is the reason for this – – – and a few more interesting details will be covered in today’s 7:56 min. video.
Mentour Pilot
If you’re interested in aviaton from any point of view, you’ll enjoy visiting Petter’sinformative YouTube channel, where you’ll find many answers to questions you’ve had about the industry, from how to become a pilot, to what kind a salary structures to expect, or to specific questions simply related to airplanes in general.
Now, here’s Petter’sstory in his own words – in the international language of aviation: English.
“I, my mane is Petter, and I’m a 36 year old Boeing 737NG Training Captain and TRI/TRE (Tripple type rated / TRE: Type Rated Examiner) Instructor from Sweden. I have a beautiful wife and two small sons that are constantly keeping me busy. I have worked in the airline business for 16 years now and I have been based in different parts of Europe during that time including the UK, Sweden and Spain, where we now live.
Introduction to the Mentour Pilot channel (3:16)
I launched the Mentor Pilot Channel as a hobby project. I was being asked a lot of questions by young aviation enthusiasts about how I enjoyed my job, how I became a pilot and how things actually worked. I realized that there are very few ways to get questions answered out on the internet today in a simple and constructive way. If you go into forums like PPRUNE for example, honest discussions very quickly turns sour because of unhappy individuals trolling the discussion threads. I wanted my channel to be positive and constructive, the same way as we instruct new cadets in my airline.
I do realize that all views expressed on my channel are MY views and as such are only a reflection of what I think and might not be representative of others. I still think that it is better to get one honest and constructive view rather than 200 sour and negative ones. I do my best to tell both sides of the story but I do love my job.
The main goal is to help new pilots and people on their way into the industry to answer the questions they might have in a positive and constructive way.
I am also adamant on that my channel is not for political discussions and that I am only representing myself and no-one else.”
Here, below, is one more of Petter’s informative videos regarding why there are no main landing gear doors on the Boeing 737 series.
The first two videos in this post are taken in high definition (HD) clarity, so don’t hesitate to open each of them to full screen – and keep your sound turned on for the full experience. If you watch the videos on a mobile device or in your email notice, you will miss the full experience seen on a larger computer screen’s monitor.
Two USN Super Hornets in formation, left ship is breaking to land . . .
This featured image, above, of Two F/A-18C Hornets, assigned to the “Knighthawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron One Three Six (VFA-136), performing a carrier break maneuver at the conclusion of the tactical air power demonstration during the 2005 Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain
Classic US Navy carrier break – – – and landing. Lots to see and enjoy in this 2:07 long video. just below. Want to know what it is like landing on an aircraft carrier? Here you go – – – Hold on!
And, here below, is what it’s like (6:36 long video) to bring this same hot Navy fighter back to your pitching and rolling carrier – when the weather tries to make you fail . . . Case II Recovery in Low Visibility, with a Pitching Deck Swings from 6-10 feet.
And, for a special bonus, here below (10:49 long) is a video of a group of high speed passes as seen from either shipboard or land – – – and from both inside – and outside – the cockpits.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James recently announced that the B-21 bomber will be called the B-21 Raider. The name represents the historically important role the new long-range stealth bomber will lead for the next 50 years.
The name is a tribute to the sheer bravery and grit displayed by Jimmy Doolittle and the Doolittle Raiders during World War II; and the legacy will now be carried on by future Airmen. Assisting Secretary James on stage to announce the name was one of the original Doolittle Raiders, the last living Doolittle Raider, and Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot, 101-year-old Air Force Lt. Col. (Retired) Richard Cole.
The above video is 9:10 in length and is courtesy of Warthog Defense.
If one accepts the premise that the B-21 will be powered by twin unaugmented F135 engines, one can then assume that the new bomber will be larger than a Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle or General Dynamics F-111 “Aardvark,” but smaller than the B-1Lanceror B-2 Spirit.
Given the types of threats from low frequency radars that are projected to be out there in the future and the limitations of current low observables materials, B-21’s subsonic flying wing design will be large enough to counter low frequency radars.
A tactical fighter-sized stealth aircraft must be optimized to defeat higher-frequency bands such the C, X and Ku bands as a simple matter of physics, but a strategic bomber like the B-2 or LRS-B can be larger to counter lower frequency radars. There is a “step change” in a stealth aircraft’s signature once the frequency wavelength exceeds a certain threshold and causes a resonant effect. Typically, that resonance occurs when a feature on an aircraft—such as a tail-fin—is less than eight times the size of a particular frequency wavelength. That means a bomber like the B-21 has to have allowances for two feet or more of radar absorbent material coatings on every surface or the designers are forced to make trades as to which frequency bands they optimize the aircraft to operate in. As such, to defeat low frequency radars operating in the L, UHF and potentially the VHF bands (this is easier said than done—and could in fact be impossible), a flying wing design is in effect, mandatory.
The above video is 10:57 long. The new aircraft will be designed to have global reach, in part by incorporating a large arsenal of long-range weapons. The B-21 is being engineered to carry existing weapons as well as nuclear bombs and emerging and future weapons, Air Force officials explained. It if’s arsenal is anything like the B-2, it will like have an ability to drop a range of nuclear weapons, GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions and possibly even the new Air Force nuclear-armed cruise missile now in development called the LRSO – (Long Range Stand Off) weapon. It is also conceivable, although at this point it is speculation, that one day the B-21 will probably be armed with yet-to-be seen weapons technology. This information is courtesy of “USMilitary Technology.”
Have you witnessed the amazing videography and photography covering the spectacular SpaceX launches? If you have, you’ll enjoy the following short (5:14 minutes) video of this process. If not, then you’ll see some of these launches and learn how they are successfully put back into motion. Our thanks to “Fighter Sweep” for this video and the story.
The above short (only 30 seconds long) video gives you an idea of what’s in store for those lucky enough visitors to our long-time business member’s War Eagles Air Museum (WEAM) this coming April. For only two days, from the 4th through the 6th of that month, the acclaimed Collings Wings of Freedom collection of WWII Warbirds will be giving rides and conducting walk-through tours of the historic aircraft from their famous flying collection. Below is their advertisement for this upcoming nearby event.Below, you will see a short (4:11) video by the Collings Foundation about the “Last Liberator” (B-24 Bomber of WWII). This heavy WWII bomber is the only one still flying, which is remarkable considering the fact that more of these bombers (over 18,000) were produced by the United States than any other military aircraft in our nation’s history. And, almost half of these Liberator’s were produced under contract to Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, the warship’s designer, by the Ford Motor Company. The mother aircraft corporation later became known as CONVAIR (From Consolidated Vultee Aircraft), and was headquartered in San Diego, CA. It became famous for its manufacture of some of the most famous seaplanes of all time, and later entered both the jet airliner field and our NASA Space program, producing the famed Atlas rockets.
By visiting this post’s links to the Collings Foundation’s website, you will be able to actually see short videos of what a ride is like in each of their touring WWII Warbirds.
The “Wings of Freedom Tour” has two goals: to honor the sacrifices made by our veterans that allow us to enjoy our present freedom; and to help educate the visitors, especially younger Americans, about our national history and heritage. All comparable goals to those of the First Aero Squadron Foundation’s own mission. The Collings Foundation encourages people to tour the planes, talk to the veterans who come to visit the aircraft, and participate in a “flight experience”. Celebrating 26 years, the tour has made more than 3,000 visits to airports across the contiguous United States and to Alaska. While the exact number of visitors is difficult to gauge, it is estimated that over 3.5 million people see these fully restored historic aircraft annually.
