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BREAKING: Lion Air Boeing 737-MAX8 Crashes On Departure

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BREAKING: Lion Air Boeing 737-MAX8 Crashes On Departure

A Boeing 737-MAX 8 operated by Lion Air has crashed. Flight JT 610 took off at 7:20am local time from Jakarta.  It was scheduled to arrive in Pangkal Pinang just an hour and twenty minutes later.

The aircraft lost contact with controllers just 13 minutes after departure. FlightRadar shows that the aircraft last reported its position over the Java Sea, about 40 miles from the coast of Java. While ADSB data on the web can sometimes prove inaccurate, the flight speed and altitude profile looked slight unusual. The 737 flew much of its departure at over 300 knots and only reached a max of 5,400 feet MSL.  On initial departure, the aircraft climbed to 2,000 feet, then descended back down to 1,400 feet before beginning a shallow climb at over 300 knots. The final ADSB return from FlightRadar24 shows a steep drop in altitude before the aircraft ceased reporting. There were 178 passengers onboard the aircraft.

CNN is quoting the Indonesian Transport Minister who said that they pilots requested a return to base shortly after departure.

There is no word on the condition of those aboard yet but video posted by Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, Head of BNPB Information and Public Relations Center, shows that the likelihood of survival from the debris profile is slim. Additional photos show personal effects recovered from the Java Sea.

Indonesian-based Lion Air has had a troubled safety record and was even banned from the EU for a while due to significant safety concerns. In addition to a number of incidents, this would be their 5th major accident in less than 19 years of operations.  This particular 737-8MAX was only two months old.

This is also the first major accident of a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.  Boeing’s latest 737 MAX family offers more efficient LEAP-1B engines, along with upgraded winglets, minor aerodynamic improvements, and a fly-by-wire spoiler system.  The first 737 MAX 8 aircraft was delivered in 2016.

This is breaking news.  We’ll post updates in the story as we receive them.

This Probably Is The Most Realistic A-10 Model Ever Built

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This Probably Is The Most Realistic A-10 Model Ever Built

We love the creativity of airplane modelers. They are able to shrink the thrill of aviation and put it into smaller scale for everyone to enjoy. We’ve seen Boeing 747s that are so large, we’re pretty sure that you could fly a real human inside. But this A-10 model stands above the rest.

It was recently flown by Kurt Tötsch who flew it at the Barone Rosso Airshow 2018. The ultra-realistic model features nearly exact maintenance panels and even has a frightenly accurate 30mm gun. The model jets flying characteristics are pretty realistic too. Check out the scene where it rolls into a strafing run followed by an egress with a barrel roll. It looks scary enough to frighten the Taliban!

The model is built by Mibo. (http://www.mibojets.com/product/a10-1/) If you are interested in purchasing one of your own, be sure to set aside plenty of cash. This model isn’t cheap. A kit will set you back almost four thousand Euro. That’s about $5,200 just for the kit. Engines and accessories will cost you even more.

Check out this video posted by RCScaleAirplanes below.

2018 Culpeper Air Fest- A Review Of the “Best Little Air Show in the East”

Randy Jennings
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2018 Culpeper Air Fest- A Review Of the “Best Little Air Show in the East”

This year’s Culpeper Air Fest started with a fall chill in the air and overcast skies. Fortunately the clouds began to break up, in time for the start of the show.

Flying activities kicked off with an impressive display of remote control aircraft. These handmade planes are fun to watch, especially the flying lawnmower. Only in America can you see a “lawn mower”. Aerial performers, from the nearby Flying Circus Airshow, started the piloted show with a patriotic parachute jump to start the day’s fun. The Airshow also brought their wing walking talents to the show.

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Former Astronaut Joe Edwards beat up the field in his North American T-28 Trojan, showing what this old bird still had some serious capability in it.

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Art Nalls flew solo demonstrations in both the L-39 Albatros as well as his own FRS2 Sea Harrier. As the only privately owned Sea Harrier in the world, this aircraft, XZ439, is a rare bird indeed. Later on, the Warrior Flight team flew a stunning two ship performance featuring L-39s.

AV4 1The Air Fest also conducts science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities for area students, to encourage the children’s interest in these fields. Culpeper fifth graders were treated to hands on STEM exhibits as a field trip days before the show.

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The twelve ship Potomac Flight, conducted a large formation flyover with nine North American T-6 Texans, two Douglas C-47s, and a Beechcraft C-45. The previous day, the Potomac Flight took part in a rare overflight of the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery to honor disabled American veterans.

Manfred Radius flew his acrobatically rated Salto II sailplane, in an elegant demonstration of both his talent and the aircraft’s capability.

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The Military Aviation Museum flew up a Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane, to take part in a heritage flight with the Sea Harrier. Sadly this flight was canceled due to unfavorable winds, though the beautiful warbirds taxied out on the field for the crowd to admire.

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Tragically the show had a fatal crash, the night before when aerobatic pilot Jon Thocker was killed. Preforming a special night routine for show sponsors, Thocker was a member of the two man team from Redline Airshows. Both the NTSB and FAA were on the scene to investigate, though the cause has not been officially determined. After conferring with state and federal officials, the Air Fest organizers fittingly went on with the show Saturday morning.

The Culpeper Air Fest bills itself as, “Best Little Air Show in the East”, and this simply does not do the show justice. The show continues to improve, be it the: growing STEM educational training, increased number of performers, professionalism of the organizers, and overall showmanship. It will be a joy to experience the Culpeper Air Fest in the years to come.

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Britain’s RAF Red Arrows to Tour North American Airshows in 2019

Charles Atkeison
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Britain’s RAF Red Arrows to Tour North American Airshows in 2019

Britain’s Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team announced today they will perform at air show sites across the United States and Canada during a nine-week visit in the summer of 2019.

Nicknamed the Red Arrows, their nine BAE Systems’ Hawk T1 Mk1 jets will demonstrate above the Americas this August and September. Around ten air show locations and fly-bys will be announced in a few months as the host locations.

The tour, code named Western Hawk 19, will also see the Red Arrows fly with military and civilian aerobatic teams, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Canadian Snowbirds. The squadron is popular for their Diamond Nine shape formation and close formation maneuvers.

The Red Arrows 55th anniversary season will begin in May with show dates in the United Kingdom. The team will spend about ten days preparing themselves and the jets for their trip across the Atlantic in July.

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The RAF Red Arrows and USAF Thunderbirds performed together over the U.K. in July 2017. (RAF)

The Red Arrows’ 2019 season begins with their 4,961st display in the team’s history which dates back to 1965. Their 5,000th event may take place in August during their North America tour.

“The Red Arrows’ pilots, engineers, and support staff have been delighted to support numerous events promoting science, technology, engineering, and maths – helping to inspire the next generation of RAF personnel,” Wing Commander Andrew Keith said this week. “We look forward to building on the success of 2018, flying the flag, and promoting the UK in 2019.”

The squadron concluded their 2018 season on October 12, having visited 60 show sites across the U.K. and Europe. The team also spent this past summer celebrating the Royal Air Force’s 100 anniversary year.

“After an incredible year celebrating RAF100, it seems only fitting that the Red Arrows prepare to illuminate the skies of our closest allies in 2019, celebrating and strengthening our incredible relationship with the U.S.,” Britain’s Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said on Sunday.

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The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team Red Arrows’ Hawk T1 jets perform inverted in 2018. (RAF)

Winter training for the Red Arrows’ 2019 season officially begin this week following a two-week break for its pilots to allow the maintenance crews time to prepare the jets. The team will also welcome a few new pilots to the team for next year.

“The first half of the Red Arrows’ display consists of synchronized, formation aerobatics, followed by a more dynamic second half,” Keith said. “Red (Arrows) 1 to 5 form the front section of the team’s formation, known as Enid, and Reds 6 to 9 make up the rear part called Gypo.”

He added, “The Synchro Pair, Reds 6 and 7, perform the highly-popular opposition maneuvers during this latter section of the show. During a display, Red 10 acts as the team’s supervisor who maintains two-way radio contact with the team leader (and) provides the commentary.”

The squadron is based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire in central England.

(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)

Air Force Investigation Details Fatal Thunderbirds Jet Crash

Charles Atkeison
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Air Force Investigation Details Fatal Thunderbirds Jet Crash

The U.S. Air Force on Tuesday released their investigative report into the fatal crash of a Thunderbirds pilot last April detailing the cause and events surrounding the accident.

Thunderbirds slot pilot Major Stephen Del Bagno, 34, died during a training flight maneuver over the Nevada desert as the squadron prepared for their next air show. After experiencing a negative 2-G (gravity) maneuver followed quickly by a positive nearly 9-G maneuver, Maj. Del Bagno past out only to regain consciousness too late to avoid the crash.

The USAF Aircraft Investigation Board, led by Brig. General Case A. Cunningham, states in their report that Maj. Del Bagno was not at fault for the crash. Gen. Cunningham’s final words confirmed the pilot simply could not transition his body during this push-pull effect from a “diminished tolerance to positive G’s induced by the physiology of exposure to negative G’s”.

The squadron of six F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft were in the midst of practicing one more day over the desert floor located just north of their Las Vegas home at Nellis Air Force Base. The Thunderbirds were scheduled to depart Nellis the next day for their next air show site at March Air Force Base in California.

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Thunderbirds diamond days prior to the April crash with Maj. Stephen Del Bagno third from top. (USAF)

Under good weather conditions, the aircraft performed the High Bomb Burst Cross maneuver — a favorite with air show crowds. As the aircraft fly in different directions afterwards, the jets then began their return to formation known as the High Bomb Burst Rejoin.

It was at this moment that Thunderbird 4 pilot Major Del Bagno experienced the negative 2-G force to an extremely high 8.5 G’s. He blacked out for several seconds before regaining consciousness a split second prior to the crash. He never attempted to eject.

At impact, his airspeed was recorded at 419 knots with his F-16C at an attitude of “57 degrees nose low with 89 degrees of left bank”. The forces on the aircraft were recorded at 4.5G’s.

“As (Maj. Del Bagno) initiated the Split-S at 1028:59 (a.m. local time), (he) selected idle power on the engine throttle and pulled back on the control stick to drop the nose of (Thunderbird 4) toward Thunderbird 1 to affect the rejoin. This operation took the Thunderbird 4 from -2.06 G’s in inverted flight to a maximum of +8.56 G’s at 1029:03 a.m.,” the official investigative report outlined.

“Approximately one second later at 1029:04 a.m., the pilot experienced a G-LOC and stopped providing deliberate flight control inputs with the aircraft at 68 degrees nose low. The pilot began a period of absolute incapacitation with the aircraft accelerating through 356 knots calibrated airspeed and rapidly descending through 6,556 feet mean sea level.”

“For approximately the next five seconds, the pilot remained in a state of absolute incapacitation and made no deliberate flight control inputs with the aircraft accelerating through 415 knots at 60 degrees nose low and 406 feet. At 1029:09 a.m., the pilot began deliberate flight control inputs as he transitioned from absolute to relative incapacitation. The aircraft impacted the ground at 1029:10 a.m. fatally injuring the pilot.”

Seconds later, the Range Safety Officer and the Thunderbird 6 opposing solo pilot Maj. Matt Kimmel radioed, “Knock it off!”. Thunderbird 5 lead solo pilot Maj. Whit Collins then climbed high over the crash site to look for a parachute.

One minute following the crash, Thunderbird leader Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh ordered the two solos to retun home to Nellis as they reported they were low on fuel. He then told Thunderbird 2 and 4 to return to Nellis. Lt. Col. Walsh remained above the crash site as emergency vehicles arived minutes later.

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The Thunderbirds perform the High Bomb Burst over Cleveland, Ohio last season. (USAF)

During the last 90 days with the Thunderbirds, the report states that Maj. Del Bagno piloted the F-16C a combined 79 times and logged 92.9 hours. Del Bagno joined the Thunderbirds five months earlier.

The report adds weather was not a factor in the accident with calm winds, a 10 mile visibility, and “a few clouds at 14,000 feet (and) a broken ceiling at 19,000 feet”.

(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)

Tora! Tora! Tora! Recreates Explosive Account of Pearl Harbor Attack

Charles Atkeison
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Tora! Tora! Tora! Recreates Explosive Account of Pearl Harbor Attack

ROME, Ga. — December 7, 1941 — A date which will live in infamy. The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The day following Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, then-President Franklin Roosevelt’s words were etched into history as he asked Congress for a declaration of war against the empire.

Japan’s surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base on that Sunday morning began at 7:55 a.m., and two hours later it was over. The attack damaged or sunk all nine battleships, destroyed over 300 aircraft, and left over 2,400 American military and civilians dead.

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Six Tora! Tora! Tora! recreated Japanese Aichi D3A aircraft fly in a recent formation. (Tora!)

Today, the pilots of the Tora! Tora! Tora! air show team bring the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M and Nakajima B5N aircraft to life as they recreate the historic event over the airfield. The Commemorative Air Force team whose motto is Lest We Forget, presents a living history lesson which includes pyrotechnic explosions and a stirring narrative detailing the attack.

“Tora! Tora! Tora! represents a living history lesson to give the audience a brief indication of what the attack on Pearl Harbor was actually like,” Tora pilot Dan Reedy said as we stood on the flight line of the Wings Over North Georgia air show in Rome. “We take our performance all across the country with our eight aircraft.”

A Tora! pilot since 2004, Reedy’s father served as a founding Tora! pilot. As one of the oldest civilian air show teams, Tora! began in 1972 and is based on the 1970 theatrical movie of the same name. In fact, Reedy confirmed each of the aircraft they fly were built for and used in the movie.

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The aircraft fly separately from all directions while smoke and huge fiery explosions are felt by the crowds as Tora! simulates the Japanese bombing runs. The Wall of Fire and the Walking Bomb are two of the popular pyrotechnics you will see as the aircraft screams across their targets

“The first wave of the attack was around 180 airplanes,” Reedy explained. “To think that our young sailors and service men and women were at Pearl Harbor not expecting the total chaos, and to sit back and place yourself in that position to see what was going on during this.”

As Tora’s aircraft begin to taxi out for the show, it is done as if they were launching from a Japanese aircraft carrier. The ground crew bows in Japanese fashion as the pilots depart on their mission. Across the air show loud speakers, a recording of singer Kate Smith performing “God Bless America” is played as the demonstration concludes.

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A wall of fire explosion simulates the Japanese attack of an American battleship in 1941. (Tora!)

“To make Tora! happen we need the pilots, we have the pyrotechnics, and the narrator,” he added. “The pyros add the special effects, our announcer the narrator tells the story, and then the airplanes add to that story.”

The show is focused on the Japanese aircraft and their attack runs, however a Tora! Tora! Tora! performance leaves you with a strong patriotic feeling. For the remaining Americans who had lived through that day nearly 80 years ago, they have given Tora! positive reviews during their four decades.

After Reedy gave his aircraft a preflight check and signaled it was time to perform, he looked back and added, “Flying with Tora is a privilege and an honor that we get to do what we do.”

(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)

 

F-22 Raptor and Warthog, Aerobatic Pilots Ready for Wings Over North Georgia

Charles Atkeison
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F-22 Raptor and Warthog, Aerobatic Pilots Ready for Wings Over North Georgia

ROME, Ga. — The Air Force F-22 Raptor and A-10C Warthog will join with several of the nation’s top aerobatic pilots this weekend as they perform under the blue skies of the Wings Over North Georgia air show.

The two military jets will come together to perform the crowd favorite Heritage Flight each afternoon. The rare sight of the F-22 and the A-10 will fly in formation joined with a P-51 Mustang to represent the Air Force’s 75-year-old legacy.

“We will fly our A-10 demonstration and it will be followed by the Raptor demonstration, and then we will have the Heritage Flight,” Air Force SSgt Horace said on Friday. “It’s gonna be an exciting show and we are happy to be here in north Georgia.”

F-22 pilot Major Paul “Loco” Lopez and A-10 pilot Capt Cody “ShIV” Wilton will each demonstrate the handling of these aircraft both low and high over the Richard Russell Regional Airport. Great weather is forecast for a high show each day.

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Six warbirds will recreate the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during Tora! Tora! Tora! (Atkeison)

New to the Rome air show will be Tora! Tora! Tora!, a flight team made up of six aircraft which will recreate with pyrotechnics and strong narration the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The chilling performance will feel very real as the aircraft storm across the airfield, smoke-on during moments of the 15 minute performance, firey explosions across the airfield, placing guests in Hawaii in December 1941.

Aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff will perform aboard her blue Extra 330SC aircraft during the Rome air show. She discussed with AvGeekery about the handling of her latest aircraft.

“It’s kind of a monster – its called a beast,” Wagstaff said on Friday. “It’s got alot of power and it just wants to go up. The hardest thing in this airplane is pulling the power back and slowing it down sometimes. It’s amazing.”

Patty will perform a 13-minute flight demonstration each day over the Rome air show. “I like to do barnstormer type aerobatics as I like to keep it low and close to the ground,” the three-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion added. “I feel if you keep it moving, keep it in front of the crowd, keep the smoke on, you keep the attention.”

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USSOCOM Para-Cammandos will deliver the U.S. flag and honor our P.O.W.’s over Rome. (Atkeison)

Tickets for the Wings Over North Georgia remain available online and at the gate. Gates open at 9 a.m. and the flying will begin at noon.

(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)

 

Atlanta Airshow to Host Military and Civilian Aerobatic Performers

Charles Atkeison
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Atlanta Airshow to Host Military and Civilian Aerobatic Performers

HAMPTON, Ga. — The only air show to be staged from a sports stadium will make its return next weekend as popular military and civilian aircraft perform over and inside the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The second annual Atlanta Airshow will feature top jets from the U.S. Air Force, and include several of the nation’s civilian aerobatic pilots performing above the world’s only Aerial Stadium. The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and Fairchild Republic A-10C Warthog will headline the two-day show on October 13 and 14. Gates will open at 10 a.m. and the first flights will begin at noon.

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The A-10C Thunderbolt II, aka the Warthog, will perform at the Atlanta Airshow. (Charles Atkeison)

“We’re looking forward to featuring the F-22 Raptor at the Atlanta Air Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway,” Chris Dirato, Director of Public Relations, said on Wednesday. “The Raptor’s performance defies imagination as it does back flips and stands motionless in mid-air.”

Piloted by Major Paul “Loco” Lopez, the F-22 Raptor is the only operational fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The popular 21st century stealth jet will demonstrate many of its thunderous maneuvers at low altitude.

“We can’t wait for Major Lopez to showcase the full capabilities of the Raptor,” said Dirato. “Fans will clearly see how it can’t be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft.”

Comedic aerobatic stunt pilot Kent Pietsch is returning for the second year of the Atlanta Airshow. Last September Kent made airshow history as he performed a rare landing inside a stadium during an air show. He hopes to do it again on the short runway of the racetrack.

Kent will attempt to perform a touch-and-go maneuver a top a speeding RV inside the stadium. He will then hold his position for only a few seconds before taking off before the RV makes its own turn at the end of the raceway. Kent will have only seconds to execute the maneuver.

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Kent Pietsch will try to land his aircraft a top an RV inside Atlanta Motor Speedway. (Charles Atkeison)

Outside the stadium several historic and commercial aircraft will sit on static display for guests to observe. Special military and aviation-themed events are also scheduled during the air show.

Tickets remain available online and will also be sold at the gate each day. The Atlanta Motor Speedway is located 29 miles south of Downtown Atlanta. Follow I-75 south to the Tara Blvd. exit and travel south to Speedway Blvd.

Air show officials state that unlike NASCAR races which are held at the stadium, there will be no tailgating or loitering allowed in the parking lot during both days. The aircraft aerobatic box is one reason for the rule which will be enforced.

(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)

 

Watch See and Hear What It’s Like to Fly a Spitfire Warbird

Bill Walton
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Watch See and Hear What It’s Like to Fly a Spitfire Warbird

It’s no secret we love EAA AirVenture. So much to do and see and hear! The recording of incredible video footage and eye-watering pictures happens all day long, but sometimes something rare occurs. This year the Royal Air Force (RAF) celebrated its 100th anniversary. At many airshows, all around the world, warbird tribute flights were conducted to highlight the RAF’s birthday. EAA AirVenture 2018 was no exception. We’re fortunate to be able to bring you this awesome helmet-cam video of the Vintage Wings of Canada’s Spitfire Mk IXe flying one memorable RAF tribute flight. The video was uploaded to YouTube by our good friends at AirshowStuffVideos.

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Like so many warbirds the Spitfire flown in the video has a bit of backstory. She is a Spit Mk IXe serial number TE294, and was built by Vickers Armstrong at Castle Bromwich for the RAF. After TE294 was completed on 9 June 1945 she saw service with the RAF’s 39 Maintenance Unit at RAF Colerne located in far western Wiltshire in the south of England. TE294 was powered by a Merlin 70-series engine optimized for high-altitude performance with a two-speed, two-stage supercharger and a Bendix-Stromberg carburetor.

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Spitfire IXe TE294 wearing the markings of Spitfire IX MK304. By J. S. Bond [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
The Spitfire TE294 is painted to represent was also built by Vickers Armstrong at Castle Bromwich. MK304 briefly saw service with 310 Squadron (Czech) before being transferred to 442 Squadron RCAF. The aircraft was flown several times by Flight Lieutenant Arnold Roseland. MK304 was powered by a Merlin 66- the most powerful Merlin engine installed in Spitfires, producing 1,720 horsepower. Roseland flew some 65 combat sorties with 442 Squadron, including a memorable scrap over the Normandy beaches during which “Rosy” Roseland bagged a pair of Focke-Wulf Fw-190 Würger (Shrike) fighters.

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Spitfire Mk IXe. Image via RCAF 19 Squadron

Unfortunately only about a month after his engagement over Normandy Roseland lost his life in combat against the Luftwaffe. MK304 was damaged, repaired, and damaged again before the end of September 1944 and soon thereafter retired from RCAF service. TE294 served with 122 Squadron RAF before she too was damaged and sold off to the South African Air Force (SAAF) where she was damaged again and was subsequently stored for decades. In 1999 TE294 was acquired by the Comox Air Force Museum for restoration. In 2013 Vintage Wings of Canada took over the project to restore Spitfire IXe TE294.

BONUS: Here’s a look at what we think may be the same RAF Tribute Flight from the ground. This was also uploaded to YouTube by AirshowStuffVideos. Turn those speakers up (and ignore that pesky PA guy!).

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Champion Aerobatic Pilots to Perform at Wings Over North Georgia

Charles Atkeison
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Champion Aerobatic Pilots to Perform at Wings Over North Georgia

ROME, Ga. — World and national aerobatic champion pilots will take to the autumn skies in October demonstrating high performance maneuvers and a dizzying array of 360-degree turns during the Wings Over North Georgia air show.

Top civilian pilots are poised to join the pilots of popular military aircraft, including the F-22 Raptor and A-10C Thunderbolt II, at Rome’s Richard Russell Airport on October 13 and 14. The family-fun show will combine aviation, popular music, and great food into a full weekend.

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Aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff will return to Wings Over North Georgia VII. (Charles Atkeison)

The first lady of aerobatics Patty Wagstaff will return to the north Georgia show as she performs twist-and-turn maneuvers and low-level high speed flying. Piloting her German-built EXTRA 300XL monoplane, the U.S. National Aerobatic Champion will demonstrate rolls while climbing straight up as she pushes her aircraft to the limits each day.

“Every low-level performance and every maneuver is styled and executed to demonstrate the precision, artistry, and heart-stopping excitement of a perfectly executed aerobatic maneuver,” Wagstaff said recently during a plane-side visit.

In the year following her win as the International Aerobatic Champion of 1993, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum placed her Extra 260 airplane on display next to that of Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Vega. Her aircraft remains there to this day.

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Red Bull Air Race pilot Michael Goulian has performed in Austria, Hungary, Russia, France, Japan, and the United States during 2018. When he is not performing during the popular Red Bull Air Races he is piloting his EXTRA 330SC during air shows including EAA Oshkosh and Rome.

Michael has a busy October lined up as he resumes Red Bull in Indianapolis on October 6 and 7, followed by the Rome air show, and the NAS Jacksonville air show on October 27 and 28.

“I would have to say there’s no such thing as a break for our team ever, so we did what we always do, which is work and fly airplanes,” Mike said while in Kazan, Russia in August. “But that’s what we love.”

Veteran aerobatic performer Buck Roetman will soar over the Russell Airfield performing unique maneuvers as he pilots his modified Pitts S2S. Past air show guests know of his popular yellow bi-plane as it pirouettes — smoke-on — in the openness of the blue sky.

One of Roetman’s favorite stunts is the Ribbon Cut. Soaring at over 200 m.p.h. and 18 feet above the deck, his Pitts aircraft will slice a thin ribbon stretched across the width of the runway. Buck insists that this is no easy feat.

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“Each year, we carefully assemble a lineup of acts that perform the top demonstrations in the industry, but also want to show a lot of diversity in the type of flights and aircraft that participate,” said John Cowman, president of JLC Air Show Management who is bringing the Rome air show back for a seventh consecutive year. “With Buck, Patty, and Mike, we have three of the absolute and most diverse performers in the industry.”

World Air Race Champion of 2016 and Reno National Air Race pilot Scott Farnsworth will also take to the skies over Rome to demonstrate his own style of aerobatics. Scott will perform in a former Czech Republic trainer, the L-39 Albatros.

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Aerobatic pilot Scott Farnsworth aboard his blue L-39 Albatros aircraft recently. (Dash)

Unlike most aerobatic performers, Scott’s plane is a jet aircraft capable of high gravity-force climbs and high speed passes. His blue L-39 will add a little extra to the show’s performance line up.

“(Scott’s) prowess as a championship racer seamlessly translates into an air show demonstration packed with high speed passes, turns, and aerobatics,” said Brenda Little, spokesperson for the Rome Air Show. “His single-engine aircraft can reach speeds exceeding 550 mph with a rate of climb of 4,130 feet per minute.”

Tickets for the Wings Over North Georgia remain available. VIP ticket packages, airport reserved parking passes, and general admission tickets remain available as of today. Ms. Little notes that select ticket packages tend to sell out in the weeks prior to the show.

(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)

Watch Military Jets Making Freedom Noises in Pacific Skies

Bill Walton
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Watch Military Jets Making Freedom Noises in Pacific Skies

This recently shot high-definition footage features US military aircraft operating from Anderson Air Force Base (AFB) on Guam in the Marianas during Valiant Shield joint training exercises. The footage is mostly takeoffs and departures, but it’s the variety of aircraft seen in the clip that makes it so awesome. The video was uploaded to YouTube by Ultimate Military Channel. The routine and the rare cataloged below the clip.

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The video starts off with a section of Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs from VMFA-121 Green Knights departing. Then a Boeing E-3 AWACS from the 552nd Air Control Wing (ACW) at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma gets moving. Next up a pair of Boeing P-8A Poseidons from VP-5 Mad Foxes depart. A US Marine Corps Lockheed KC-130J Hercules tanker splits next. Boeing B-52H Stratofortress serial 60-0021 nicknamed Black Jack and assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron (BS) Devil’s Own at Barksdale AFB is next to head out with Mark 62 Quickstrike mines on its racks.

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VP-5 P-8A Poseidon. Image via US Navy

A Boeing (Northrop Grumman) E-8C JSTARS from the 461st ACW in Georgia gets going next. Then another Poseidon, this one from VP-30 Pro’s Nest (all the way from Jax) takes to the skies. Now it’s time to turn those speakers way up, because the footage of the next several departures was shot from the rear quarter- meaning thunder! Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5) Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornets from VFA-195 Dambusters and VFA-115 Eagles, F/A-18F Super Hornets from VFA-102 Diamondbacks, and EA-18G Growlers from VAQ-141 Shadowhawks all make some sweet freedom noises.

A U.S. Navy F A 18E Super Hornet aircraft assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VFA 102 right and an EA 18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ 141 demonstrate an a
VF-102 F/A-18F refuels VAQ-141 EA-18G. Image via US Navy

Oddity warning: The next departure is an Omega Tanker Boeing 707-368C (registered as N707MQ) contract aerial tanker. Then a Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker from the 909th ARS fitted with a drogue on its boom takes off. Finally we see some camera-shy McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagles from the 18th Wing at Kadena depart. Look closely and you’ll observe some interesting aircraft on the ground in the background as well. Lockheed EP-3E Aries II electronic reconnaissance Orions from VQ-2 World Watchers, various KC-135Rs and KC-10A Extenders, and B-1B Lancers from Dyess AFB are all on the vast Andersen AFB ramps. Did you spot the Hawker Hunter Mk. 58 contract adversary jet or the one and only Japanese Kawasaki UP-3C Orion on the entire planet there too?

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EP-3E Aries. Image via US Navy

The second video from this exercise features some of the same footage pre-flight but adds BB stackers loading those Mark 62s up and later the release and detonation of the B-52H’s payload as observed from a VP-5 Poseidon. Enjoy!

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BREAKING: USAF T-6A Trainer Down in San Antonio- Crew Safe

Bill Walton
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BREAKING: USAF T-6A Trainer Down in San Antonio- Crew Safe

On Tuesday 18 September at approximately 1600 local time a United States Air Force Beechcraft T-6A Texan II turbine-powered trainer crashed in a field in the vicinity of Rolling Oaks Mall near Nacogdoches Road just outside Loop 1604 in the northeastern San Antonio, Texas, area. The crew of two aboard the trainer successfully ejected from their stricken T-6A and suffered only minor injuries. After being taken to the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph (JBSA) Medical Clinic for evaluation the two were released. Their names have not yet been released to the public.

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T-6A Texan IIs. Image via USAF

The trainer, belonging to the 12th Flying Training Wing (TTW) and based at JBSA, is one of 444 being used for primary pilot training at several Air Force Bases (AFBS) by the USAF and at Naval Air Stations (NASs) by the US Navy, and by the countries of Argentina, Canada, Greece, Iraq, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing subsequently suspended flights of the T-6A. The cause of the crash is not known, but an Air Force investigation team was on the ground along with military and civilian firefighters, said Randy Martin, the wing’s spokesman.

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T-6A Texan II. Image via USAF

There were no civilian casualties, and the extent of damage to property is being evaluated. “We are grateful to the community and the first responders who rushed to help our Airmen at the site of the crash,” said Col. Mark Robinson, 12th Flying Training Wing commander. “While we can’t rule out any specific cause, initial indications do not give us reason to believe that the On Board Oxygen Generation System is a factor in today’s accident. We are pleased to confirm that our pilots were treated and released from our medical facility,” Robinson said. We’ll update this story as events warrant.

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