Monday, July 26, 2010

CF-18 Crash at Air Show in Lethbridge County Canada





The photos and video of this past Friday's crash of a hornet illustrate the positives and negatives of the modern airshow. While the negatives certainly outweigh the positives here with the loss of the aircraft. The reconstruction of this crash will be easier because the crew of air show fans were present on a Friday practice day to capture video and photos to help solve what happened. While a couple theories are floating around it is too soon to guess and while this is a standard maneuver for this jet it illustrates the danger the modern jet pilot faces as they put on the display. Thankfully the pilot was not seriously injured in this crash.

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Friday, July 23, 2010

That Air Show Feeling


Last week I got reacquainted with one of the best adrenaline rushes on the planet. The modern air show supported by the US Government air superiority forces. Yes last weekend was the Dayton Air Show in Dayton Ohio and I carved a day out of the packed summer to take the kids on the short 75 minute drive to watch the practice day. Since the show is only a Saturday Sunday affair we technically were not at the show, but we were 10 feet from the airport property and had great views of all the comings and goings of the regular commercial flights as well as the practice of the air show performers. The highlight was of course the US Navy Blue Angels. Fat Albert also did 'his' demo doing things in a Lockheed C-130 that seem impossible. The Blue Angels, a group of men and women perform astounding feats with their F-18's. Using a variety of A, B, and C models they fly within inches of each other and do all sorts of amazing acts. It truly takes your breath away to be able to witness their performance. To get to watch and not spend a penny makes it that much better. I've seen them several times in person and each time is like the first. Add in that we also got to watch the F/A-18F Super Hornet do its demo and the arrivals of F-15, F-16, T-38 and several other military cargo and attack planes made for a great day. Even a pristine restored DC-3 made an appearance. While I was unable to make it back for the actual show I did get to enjoy the sights and sounds and look forward to catching up with the Blues again at Cleveland's Air Show on Labor Day!

One more thing. I took these photos and many more. A newer camera has certainly helped. Soon I'll get a DSLR and get closer to the pro's that take so many great pics.
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Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Boys are Back

This morning I started getting ready for this weekends Dayton Air Show by heading over to ASB.tv which is a great website for the air show fan. Living in Ohio means you can get to several high end air shows with only a couple hours drive time. This year the headline is the Blue Angels and they put on an amazing display. No matter how many times I see them I'm still in awe. The same goes for the Thunderbirds as well as every other air show performer big or small. So since you are reading this blog you're probably assuming this post entitled The Boys are Back refers to the Blue Angels right?

Well actually no. It refers to two hooligans that will be back out terrorizing all humanity courtesy of that once great network known as MTV. The "boys" of course are Beavis and Butthead. Now I know that their form of UHHH HUH HUH HUH humor is not for everybody, but how can you not laugh at this. Ahh memories.... In fact when I graduated from The Ohio State University I was Beavis. Yes I donned a cap with the trademark Beavis hair busting thru my cap. It was too cool and amongst the 7000 graduates that day I was by far the easiest to pick out with a foot tall bright yellow block of 'cheese' on my head. I even made an appearance on the televised processional shown on the local PBS station. Almost 8 years later I was able to get a copy of that tape from a contact at the station and I'll find it and burn it to DVD soon. In any case music videos will be returning to MTV if only in pieces and we can all thank Beavis and Butthead for it.

Lets hope for good weather this weekend!
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

GEnx Powered Boeing 787 Takes First Flight

Today the Boeing 787 took another step in the right direction with the 5th plane to take flight. This is the first to be powered by the General Electric GEnx 1B engine as opposed to the Rolls Royce Trent engines that powered the first four into the skies. A good crowd was on hand at the future of flight to watch the liftoff and it was beamed to the world live via an iphone courtesy of David Parker Brown of airlinereporter.com. If you enjoy airline blogs I highly recommend that one as it written from an enthusiasts point of view and it always tells the complete story rather than assuming you know already. While I share a name with this blogger its truly the writing I enjoy and not the benefits HAHAHA
WINNER
Here is another view courtesy of KING5 in Seattle.
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Friday, May 28, 2010

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.

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

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!











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Monday, May 17, 2010

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
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Thursday, May 13, 2010

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.
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