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.
Thanks to our Aviation News Scout Jerry Dixon and SpaceX for this latest news release.
Following its first test launch, Falcon Heavy is now the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two. With the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 lb)—a mass greater than a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel–Falcon Heavy can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy, at one-third the cost.
Falcon Heavy draws upon the proven heritage and reliability of Falcon 9. Its first stage is composed of three Falcon 9 nine-engine cores whose 27 Merlin engines together generate more than 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, equal to approximately eighteen 747 aircraft. Only the Saturn V moon rocket, last flown in 1973, delivered more payload to orbit. Falcon Heavy was designed from the outset to carry humans into space and restores the possibility of flying missions with crew to the Moon or Mars.
The above launch video is 34:18 in length, so if you don’t have the time to watch the entire film, simply fast forward to about 21:00 minutes so see the actual lift off itself. Notice the innovative way that the rockets are saved for further deployments by returning them safely back to earth on their own landing pads right at Cape Canaveral. We are clearly now beginning to bear witness to the great cost savings to the taxpayers achieved by permitting private industry to compete – and run – these heretofore exclusively government run operations.
Yesterday, at their regular monthly meeting in the El Paso Club in downtown El Paso, Texas, the local Daedalian Flight learned about the city’s unique pioneering District Court Veteran’s Treatment Court Program, led by Judge Angie Juarez Barill and Silvia Serna, the program’s Director. All the Daedalians present, yesterday, are long time members of the FASF.
The mission of the El Paso Veterans Court Program is to divert justice-involved veterans and active service members from the traditional criminal justice system by providing them treatment and judicial monitoring to afford them the tools needed to lead a productive and law-abiding life.
The program was initiated because of some seemingly incorrigible veterans, many suffering from PTSD or an inability to ease effectively back into civilian society after experiencing the traumatic effects of wartime combat. It was discovered that, with proper counseling and special handling, these troubled veterans could usually recover well enough to fit back into their civilian lives in a productive way. Judge Barill’s program is one of the few pioneering courts in the nation to take this rehabilitative approach to Veterans who have unfortunately come into contact with the Judicial System.
L to R: Col. Bob Pitt, Patrick Barill, Judge Angie Juarez Barill, and Daedalian Flight Captain, Roger Nichols, chatting before the luncheon meeting began. Both Col. Pitt and Captain Nichols are long time FASF members.
The Veterans Court Team meets for each docket on Wednesday prior to each court hearing. The meeting is held at the 346th District Court offices located at 500 E. San Antonio, Suite 701, El Paso, TX 79901. To contact the program, call: 915-546-2119
Veterans Court Team Staffing provides an open forum in which everyone involved in a case can gather to share information, discuss issues, and reach consensus on actions for participants to successfully complete the program. The goal of maintaining a therapeutic court is forefront in all decisions.
The Goals of the Veterans Court Program are as follows:
– Provide early identification of eligible program participants.
– Introduce participants to an on going process of recovery designed to help them become stable, employed and substance abuse-free while continuing mental health care through community/peer counseling groups or the VA
– Engage in community education and partnership efforts to develop shared understanding and foster a spirit of commitment and collaboration with the Veterans Administration, Treatment Providers, Volunteer Mentors, the Criminal Justice System and other organizations.
– Reduce participant contacts with the criminal justice system; and
– Reduce costs associated with criminal case processing and re arrest.
“Leave no Veteran Behind and Honor their Service”
Captain Nichols, at the podium, introducing the Veteran’s Court Program’s leader, Judge Barill.
Seal of the EP Veterans’ Court
This program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families.
Ms. Sernaoperated and extensively informative Power Point summary of the entire Veteran’s Program, explaining how it began and how it operates today.
Judge Barill explaining her program to the assembled Daedalians. The Daedalian Seal on the podium, translated from Latin means: “We Flew – We Fly” – – – the slogan of the Society, which was formed by former WWI military pilots soon after the war ended.
L to R above: Silvia Serna, Veteran’s Program Director, and Judge Barill. All members of the Daedalians are former U.S. Military aviators – – – and also veterans, themselves, so they were extremely interested in how the Judge’s unique Court Program functions.
After the meeting: L to R above: Captain Roger Nichols, Silvia Serna, Judge Barill andColonel Bob Pitt.
Judge Barill received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas-El Paso and her J.D. from Texas Southern University. She has worked as an assistant city prosecutor with the municipal court and a sole practitioner dealing with civil, criminal, juvenile and family cases. She then served as a municipal court judge. In addition, Barill founded the Veterans Court in El Paso County. She has been a District Court Judge since 2004.
There is no place on planet earth where one can readily see such a wide variety of airplanes designed and built over a century ago actually take to the air with pilots guiding them aloft and safely back to Terra Firma. These are exceptionally skilled pilots who are but a fraction of their airplane’s age. Please bear in mind that most of the antique aircraft in the museum’s collection are quite difficult – and even dangerous to fly – especially when compared to the inherently stable airplanes of today.
Here, below, is a full length video of 60 minutes duration, in which one can enjoy this renown collection of vintage, historic and modern aircraft in action. It is located at the Old Warden Aerodrome, Old Warden in Bedfordshire, England. This unique collection is not just of aircraft, but also of vintage road traveling vehicles, too. Sir John Allison, opens the film with a clear description of theShuttleworth Collection and of its history. Once in Great Britain, it is easy to reach the Aerodrome and even easier to find nearby onsite convenient parking, should one be traveling by or with their own or a rented auto. The Collection’s home page is right here.
On your next visit to the British Isles, don’t forget to book a visit to this colorful collection of both vintage aircraft and motor vehicles. Their special event Airshows are widely acclaimed as being more than worth the time and trouble to experience. Should you be flying yourself around Great Britain, be advised that you can fly right onto the Old Warden Aerodrome, and that there isn’t even a landing fee!
Many of the Collection’s aircraft predate the First Aero’s fabled Jennys. If you are planning a visit to England, you might want to check the Shuttleworth Air Show schedule so that you can include one of their shows in your visit.
The following story and first video is from official USAF PAO sources and also “Fighter Sweep.”
Earlier photo of then Major Nicole “Fifi” Malachowski in her official Thunderbirds uniform . . . If you click on her portrait above, it will take you to a Wikipedia biography of this top USAF female fighter pilot.
ABOVE: A video about Lt. Colonel Nicole “Fifi” Malachowski, the first female member of the actual USAF Thunderbirds official Demonstration Team. It is 3:30 long.
The above Video is of a talk by Colonel Nicole “Fifi” Malachowskito the “Fighter Sweep” group. It is quite a long program: 1:20:22 in length. Malachowski first appears in the video at the 9:00 minute mark.
Nicole “Fifi” Malachowski in flight gear.
The topmost inspirational video is about the first female US Air Force Thunderbird aerobatic pilot. The USAF Air Demonstration Squadron (“Thunderbirds“) is the air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF). The Thunderbirds are assigned to the 57th Wing, and are based at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Created in 1953, the USAF Thunderbirds are the third oldest formal flying aerobatic team (under the same name) in the world, after the US Navy Blue Angels formed in 1946 and the prestigious French Air Force Patrouille de France formed in 1931.
The Thunderbirds Squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked aircraft. The squadron’s name is taken from the legendary creature that appears in the mythologies of several indigenous North American cultures.
Then Major Malachowskistanding under afterburners of an F-15 Fighter, the aircraft which she was assigned to fly at the time.
When Nicole Ellingwood (her maiden name) went to High School in Santa Maria, California, she was an active member of both the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and also engaged in the High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC (JROTC) program, as well. Quickly displaying her skill as a leader, young Ms. Ellingwood rose to the highest Cadet rank attainable, that of full Cadet Colonel. She started working on her pilot’s license before graduating from high school, and achieved her pilot’s license at the age of 16. Nicolegraduated from Western High School in Las Vegas in 1992 and went on to the United States Air Force Academy from there. Obviously highly motivated, Nicolegraduated at the top of her pilot’s training class in the Air Force.
Below short ( 3:58) video at Air Show includes Nicole giving ride to CNN reporter Alex Quade.
On 1 March 2013, the USAF announced that due to budget cuts, aerial demonstration team performances would cease indefinitely, effective 1 April 2013.[1] On 6 December 2013 the Thunderbirds announced their 2014 schedule and the resumption of their appearances.
Overview
The Thunderbirds Squadron is a named USAF squadron, meaning it does not carry a numerical designation. It is also one of the oldest squadrons in the Air Force, its origins dating to the organization of the 30th Aero Squadron, formed at Kelly Field, Texas on 13 June 1917.
Officers serve a two-year assignment with the squadron, while enlisted personnel serve three to four years. As the squadron performs no more than 88 air demonstrations each year, replacements must be trained for about half of the team each year, in order to provide a constant mix of experience. In addition to their air demonstration responsibilities, the Thunderbirds are part of the USAF combat force and if required, can be rapidly integrated into an operational fighter unit.
Since 15 February 1974 the Thunderbirds have been a component of the 57th Wing at Nellis AFB. Since 1953, they have flown in front of more than 300 million people. F-16 Fighting Falcon The Thunderbirds performing the crossover break. The Thunderbirds perform aerial demonstrations in the F-16C Fighting Falcon, and they also fly two F-16D twin-seat trainers. The F-16 has been the demonstration aircraft for the Thunderbirds since the 1983 season.
In January 1982, several members of the squadron were killed in what became known as the “Diamond Crash” of T-38 Talon aircraft which the squadron had flown since 1974. Partially as a result of that accident, the squadron switched to the F-16A, and sat out the 1982 airshow season and spent that year retraining and transitioning over to the new aircraft to ready themselves for the 1983 season.
The F-16, however, had been considered for transition prior to the accident. In rebuilding the Thunderbird Team, the Air Force recruited previous Thunderbird pilots, qualified each in the F-16A, and had them begin by flying “two-ship” maneuvers, then expanded the program one airplane at a time up to the full six airplanes.
Beginning in June 1982, the F-16 Thunderbirds were led by Major Jim Latham. The team continues to fly the F-16, having switched from the F-16A to the F-16C in 1992. Only a few minor modifications differentiate a Thunderbird from an operational F-16C. These include the replacement of the 20 mm cannon and ammunition drum with a smoke-generating system, including its plumbing and control switches, the removal of the jet fuel starter exhaust door, and the application of the Thunderbirds’ glossy red, white, and blue polyurethane paint scheme. All of the modification work is performed at the maintenance depot at Hill AFB near Ogden, Utah.
Other than those modifications, the aircraft are taken from the standard USAF inventory as production fighters, and can be returned to an operational squadron in short order without any major modification. General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon During the switch to the F-16A the Thunderbirds acquired new block 15 aircraft which they operated from 1983 to 1991, making the team one of the last USAF units flying the older F-16A’s before transitioning into new C’s.
They also operated the two-seat F-16B during this time for training new pilots and for VIP flights, these being replaced by the F-16D when the rest of the squadron transitioned to the F-16C. Two F-16s demonstrate a Reflection Pass Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (Block 32) The block 32H/J aircraft currently assigned to the Thunderbirds were built in 1986 and 1987, and operated by the Thunderbirds from 1992 to 2008. At their retirement, they were some of the oldest operational F-16s in the Air Force. Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (Block 52) In the 2009 show season the Thunderbirds transitioned to an updated version of the F-16 fighter. The Block 52s have an upgraded avionics package that brings the Thunderbird fleet into alignment with the rest of the worldwide F-16 fleet.
Watch as a U. S. WWII Photo Reconnaissance pilot reacts to a film’s display of himself that was taken 70 years earlier – in Great Britain. Footage he didn’t even know existed, and that he’d obviously never seen before. The drama of this short documentary as it unfolds is unforgettable.
For our readers, this may come as a surprise: That any U.S. pilots flew one of the two British fighter planes, the famous Supermarine Spitfire in particular, that waged the heroic and successful air defense of GB during the Battle of Britain; a battle, had it been lost, that would have made the defeat of the English Empire by the NAZI war machine a certainty, forever changing the path of world history as we know it.
This period was near the end of an era known as Great Britain’s “DARKEST HOUR,” named as such because it appeared that Britain was precipitously close to being crushed by Adolf Hitler’s NAZI Third Reich.
NOTE:Go to the bottom of this page to see the official trailer for the “DARKEST HOUR,” a currently popular film (numerous Academy Award Nomination already) about that crucial period in GB and primarily about its uniquely unorthodox leader, Winston Churchill, a man with glaring personal defects, who nevertheless proved he was more than able to lead his nation to victory over the massive juggernaut of Nazi Germany’s war machine. While this feature film, “DARKEST HOUR” will not show you the fabled Spitfires in action, it will show you the actual dynamics of what went on behind the closed doors of Number 10 Downing Street and in its labyrinth of secret underground chambers during those crucial days and hours of England’s darkest times.
Without further ado, here below is the unique, Sundance Film Festival Award-Winning story about the young American Pilot – – – and his compatriot Army Air Forces Flight Surgeon, who liked to use his 16mm movie camera to record events around him at his airfield in GB. He shot his footage in order to show his family back in the U.S. what his life was like during the great war. It is a specific segment of all this amateur 16mm footage around which the documentary revolves.
The people behind the Sundance Film Festival decided to dig up a short honorable mention winner from 2007 and put it up on YouTube. Called Spitfire 944, the film shows WWII Photo Reconnaissance pilot, now retired USAF Lt Col. John S. Blyth, telling his personal story and then reacting to footage of a crash landing he made all the way back in 1944, a film that he had never seen before.
Director and Producer William Lortonand Jason Savage decided to create the documentary when they accidentally found WWII Flight Surgeon Jim Savage’s (Lorton’s great-uncle and Savage’s great-grandfather) vintage stash of 16mm footage taken during the war and long forgotten in Dr. Savage’s California attic.
The below Video includes that long “lost” footage, and it is included in the following short video documentary that won an award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013 – it is 14:38 in length.
Below is the official Trailer for the new movie, DARKEST HOUR.
The above Spitfire story is thanks to FASF Aviation Scout, Virg Hemphill.
this video’s theme was still most certainly within the same realm and spirit those brave First Aero pilots helped pioneer a bit over a century ago, in this high desert NM environment, the same kind of spirit that clearly still dwells within the hearts of the brave and adventurous souls who made this following short film.
This video is a magnificent piece of not only videography, but one exhibiting some extraordinary creativity, and a relatively new piloting skill – – – one for those brave souls who choose to jump out of securely flying airplanes, off mountains, bridges, cliffs or whatever else rises high enough above the surrounding terrain to provoke and challenge their skill.
The colorful high-resolution videography seen below is brilliantly edited, scored and presented for those of us who might prefer to remain either more earthbound than the parachutists, or at least stay inside the securely flying airplane from which these adventurers often prefer to leap.
Thanks again to FASF Aviation News Scout, Captain Nancy Aldrich for this wonderful piece of entertainment. The film is only 4:44 long, but please stay for the interesting credits (1:16) at the end. You’ll discover the widely separated places on this beautiful earth where this amazing film was created.
