Thunderbirds in Formation

Jet performance teams are thrilling.  If you ever get a chance to see one (like The Thunderbirds, The Snowbirds, or The Blue Angels), do not miss it!  Since my Dad was a Navy pilot, I am partial to The Blue Angels.  But they are all good and put on quite a show.

So lets get on with it!

Introducing the stars of Naval Base Ventura County Air Show 2010:  The United States Air Force Thunderbirds!

Their paint scheme is in keeping with their name.  And it makes for a stunning photograph!

According to my Dad, formation flying takes a very delicate touch.  Too little pressure on the stick and you never catch up.  Too much and you blow right by.  And flying at such close proximity, the only one looking at his instrument panel is the lead plane.  All the others fly by watching him.

One of the moves they do shows off the speed capabilities of the F-16C.  The four formation planes will fly in with landing gear exposed at VERY slow speed.  Well, slow for an F-16.  And one of the solo planes will scream thru - flying right through the middle of their formation.  See him coming....and in...and gone!  Talk about threading a needle!!

A signature maneuver of The Thunderbirds is the Bomb Burst.  They fly straight up, each peeling off in a different direction, making a loop to cross at the bottom.

The timing of this move is VERY tricky.  I was a little to the left of show center so I can't be certain.  But since I got all 4 planes in one shot at the bottom of the loop, I'd say their timing was pretty darn good!

Ready for the solo planes tomorrow?