[Z06] Z06 - Low Flying Jet?
12-06-2007, 01:14 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Z06 - Low Flying Jet?
Think again. Just had to share this incredible photo taken at the 2007 San Francisco Fleetweek airshow. Blue Angel approximately 20 feet above San Francisco Bay at an estimated ground speed of 700+ mph! This is NOT a photo chop.
12-06-2007, 01:37 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Great shot
However, not 700 IAS. He'd be busted to flying a chair if he was bangin' on the wall!!!! (Breaking the sound barrier). Thats a MAJOR 
low level over populated areas. However, its still Sierra Hotel !!!!
12-06-2007, 03:22 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
I raced at Cabanas field years ago and before the race two Navy guys came up and talked with us. I asked them if there was somewhere safe we could leave the race car trailer for a few days so my wife and crew could enjoy the area. One of the guys said we can put it in the hanger. I asked who I needed permission from and the other guy said, "He is the CO. If he says you can leave it in the hanger, you can!" So we did.
When we returned the guys asked if we would open the trailer to let the guys see the car. We did and winched it out so they could take pictures of each other in it. The CO then asked if I wanted to go on an airplane ride. I told him I did that all the time and he said, "Not a ride like this one!" I said, "OK!" They gave me a suit about 10 times too big and in a few minutes the Blue Angles landed and then took off again. One came over to where we were standing and the CO said, "get in!" I did. They were doing touch and goes and landing on a carrier out in the Gulf to get their carrier landings in for the year so they could get carrier pay (What ever that means). So off we went, landed on a carrier then took back off back to Cabanas field. That was one of my greatest adventures. I cannot describe the acceleration on the concrete runway and it slow compaired to taking off from the carrier. I will be eternally grateful. I will release no names.
Your picture brings back many memories.
When we returned the guys asked if we would open the trailer to let the guys see the car. We did and winched it out so they could take pictures of each other in it. The CO then asked if I wanted to go on an airplane ride. I told him I did that all the time and he said, "Not a ride like this one!" I said, "OK!" They gave me a suit about 10 times too big and in a few minutes the Blue Angles landed and then took off again. One came over to where we were standing and the CO said, "get in!" I did. They were doing touch and goes and landing on a carrier out in the Gulf to get their carrier landings in for the year so they could get carrier pay (What ever that means). So off we went, landed on a carrier then took back off back to Cabanas field. That was one of my greatest adventures. I cannot describe the acceleration on the concrete runway and it slow compaired to taking off from the carrier. I will be eternally grateful. I will release no names.
Your picture brings back many memories.
12-06-2007, 03:24 PM
#8
Thanks for sharing!
I wondered how low they went. I was fortunate enough to sit in St. Francis YC at the southern end of the Golden Gate at the end of the flight path about ten years ago. We could see into the cockpit as they pulled up to go over us. I sat there for a couple of hours and saw them rehearse the entire sequence the day before the official show. Absolutely astounding!!!
I get chills to this day thinking about it.
Awesome shots!
I get chills to this day thinking about it.
Awesome shots!
12-06-2007, 03:45 PM
#9
Race Director
Thread Starter
Here's the link to all the pics:
http://home.comcast.net/~bzee1a/
Enjoy! Those pilots must have stones as big a basketballs! Incredible.
http://home.comcast.net/~bzee1a/
Enjoy! Those pilots must have stones as big a basketballs! Incredible.
Last edited by vetdude; 12-06-2007 at 03:48 PM.
12-06-2007, 03:52 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
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12-06-2007, 06:00 PM
#13
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Like stated above, he is no where near 700 mph. Last time the Blue Angels broke the sound barrier over a populated area was in 1969 over Kelowna Canada. All the glass over 8 blocks shattered but the show went on.
From Blue Angles' webiste:
August 6
While performing a practice show in Kelowna, Canada, Captain Vince Donile (#2) exceeded the speed of sound during the 4-plane cross portion of the Diamond Vertical Opener maneuver. The majority of the windows in the area parted company with their frames.
http://www.blueangels.com/timeline.shtml
From Blue Angles' webiste:
August 6
While performing a practice show in Kelowna, Canada, Captain Vince Donile (#2) exceeded the speed of sound during the 4-plane cross portion of the Diamond Vertical Opener maneuver. The majority of the windows in the area parted company with their frames.
http://www.blueangels.com/timeline.shtml
Last edited by KeithKman; 12-06-2007 at 06:03 PM.
12-06-2007, 06:42 PM
#15
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12-06-2007, 06:48 PM
#16
Actually, the original poster is right. The low flying jet (#5?) is "pushing the number" - flying just below the speed of sound. The air flowing around the plane accelereates to supersonic speeds from leading edge aft, then slows back to subsonic speeds as it flows toward the rear. As the (static) air pressure "recovers," it forms the shock waves you see in that very well cropped photo BTW, simply amazing photos. Good work.
(I was an aerodynamic design engineer in a prior life, designing "advanced military aircraft" - but couldn't make much money at it.
)
(I was an aerodynamic design engineer in a prior life, designing "advanced military aircraft" - but couldn't make much money at it.
)
12-06-2007, 06:55 PM
#17
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Actually, the original poster is right. The low flying jet (#5?) is "pushing the number" - flying just below the speed of sound. The air flowing around the plane accelereates to supersonic speeds from leading edge aft, then slows back to subsonic speeds as it flows toward the rear. As the (static) air pressure "recovers," it forms the shock waves you see in that very well cropped photo BTW, simply amazing photos. Good work.
(I was an aerodynamic design engineer in a prior life, designing "advanced military aircraft" - but couldn't make much money at it.)
(I was an aerodynamic design engineer in a prior life, designing "advanced military aircraft" - but couldn't make much money at it.
) 
12-06-2007, 09:13 PM
#20
Safety Car
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Nothing like a neat jet or a neat Vette. Thanks to our guys and gals who put their lives on the line for us (including some of the idiots in this country). Idiots (this time) does not refer to forum members.
We appreciate your courage and efforts.
God Bless you all.
We appreciate your courage and efforts.
God Bless you all.