The Clock strikes Midnight For The General Dynamics F-111

The General Dynamics F-111 is a venerable high speed fighter/bomber and as of 2010 is only operated by one country. Australia is now phasing them out and is replacing it with the Boeing FA-18F Super Hornet. The F-111 is famous for its long flame trails while it dumps fuel, but did you ever wonder how it was done? Watch the video from Flightglobal and see how it performs this trick and learn just a bit about why these beasts are being replaced. The RAAF will utilize the FA-18 in a true multi-role way and will be much more aggressive in flying the plane. Much like we use the F-15 in the Air Force. t has always been so cool to see the flame trails from the RAAF at the Surfers Paradise Indycar race and the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, but as they say... All good things must come to an end. It has arrived for the F-111.

Andrews AFB Air Show Open House

Over the previous weekend Andrews Air Force Base opened its doors for an open house and air show. The weather was perfect and here are some amazing shots. If you have never been to an air show you really should go and experience one. There are many free shows across the country as well as many high powered shows featuring the big acts like the Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, Golden Knights, Viper East (F-16), Raptor F-22, and the solo acts like John Mohr and Patty Wagstaff among dozens of acts. Many local airports host free shows put on by the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and these are so much fun with vintage warbirds like B-17's or B-25's. Sometimes even a P-51 Mustang will be there. In any case enjoy some great shots from Andrews!

Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie was a metal GOD. His voice was so distinct and whether he was fronting Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio or any of the other bands he sang with you always knew it was him. Upon learning of his death yesterday I felt it was important to jam all night with his music. While today I am tired its totally worth it. Enjoy a favorite of mine. Hungry for Heaven

Montreal Canadiens to the Finals!

A far cry from my kind of music, but totally appropriate after Montreal SPANKED the Pittsburgh Penguins last night in the final game at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. Crybaby Crosby was his usual self during this season and looked incredibly tired. I do feel bad for Mario Lemuix who I had a chance to talk with earlier this year on a visit to Columbus, but thats the nature of a game 7. The person most excited after anyone associated with Montreal has to be Alexander Ovechkin since the Habs did the same thing to the 2 strongest Eastern Conference teams. Enjoy the Annakin Slayd and lets see if the Habs can keep it going to the Stanley Cup.

No The 737-800 Can't Land Itself

People that fly today are under the impression that its fairly easy to hop on a plane and get anywhere they want safely and securely. They get that impression because most pilots are professional and operate by the book. Accidents are something we only think about when we see them every 6 or 9 months on the nightly news. While today's flying is extremely safe its important to remember that WHO is flying the plane makes all the difference. When you book a flight in the US you have reasonable assurances that the captain is capable and highly trained and for most of the mainline flights you are correct. However regional airlines and foreign airlines you just don't know. Case in point the above video on the Turkish Air Boeing 737-800 that crashed last year on final to Schiphol. This modern plane fell out of the sky with 2 captains and a co pilot all in the cockpit. This video animation shows how a small technical issue led to a major airline accident on Feb. 25, 2009. While my point is not to scare anyone it is to do your homework when choosing an airline. Its not always the price of the ticket in determining which airline to fly. Especially overseas where maintenance can be spotty at best and the regulation of airlines and air traffic can be non existent.

May--The Month That Never Rests

My time as a house husband is filled with "stuff". Typically months come and they go. Schedules don't change much in the typical month, but May is not normal. Each week we have hockey development on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Piano is on Wednesday. PSR classes on Tuesday and Church on Sunday. Those don't change much if at all. The craziness comes from the hockey games on Saturday (2) and trying to fit development camp in too. This weekend brings AAA tryouts for Frudoch. AAA hockey is Tier 1 and prepares the serious player for the road to a potential career in hockey. Yes Frudoch is only 11 as on today... Tryouts this weekend are on Saturday and Sunday. Plus I coach both kids 3 on 3 hockey teams. Oh yeah this weekend is Mothers Day and Frudoch turns 12 on Saturday. My wife has her birthday on Sunday too. This past weekend was May 1 and we celebrated a nephews birthday and visited with other family passing thru town. Oh yeah I also coached 2 hockey games including a 21-0 win for my PeeWee team. Wednesday I have to pick up the flowers the kids sold and deliver them as well as get t a race planning meeting. Next week brings an OVR-SCCA Board meeting and I am Chairman so I must be present. We have all the regular stuff too plus 2 more hockey games. The following weekend (May 21-23) has more tryouts in case Fru does not make the AAA team. Not just one set, but 2 sets of tryouts. Friday eve, Saturday morning, Sunday Morning and finally Sunday evening. Of course they can and usually do add one more session to make those final decisions. Usually on the night and time of PSR.... Yeah I still have to coach a couple games in there too. That weekend is also my SCCA regions biggest race of the year at Mid-Ohio and as regional Executive I HAVE to be present. Where I find the time is a guess I will have to make. Nevermind that I would love to race.... So that leaves the last weekend of the month and also my fathers 70th birthday and a big celebration. Plus of course some hockey and a wonderful weekend of racing at Indy, Lime Rock, and Charlotte. Somewhere during the month I need to find time to maintain the house and get the race car ready for the season. I have new tires waiting to go on the CLK since right now the rears are bald as can be. So see May is busy, but I guess I like it like that since I'll have less time to bitch and moan. One more thing.... Stay out of my way. I'm in a hurry.