It’s November 17th and I have just finished my last air show for the season. Everything is back in the barn at Buffalo and my feet are planted firmly on the ground.
After 22 air shows and events, over 80 performances and at least 350 hours of flight time on the show plane and the Pitts S-2C Media plane, this Winter’s break will be busy with engine overhauls, prop overhauls, a couple of airframe modifications and the installation of a larger smoke oil tank. You can never have enough smoke oil.
This season, like all the others, was full of travel, adventure and lots of great people. But the highlight this year, was my ride with the Blue Angels.
Just after the St. Cloud, MN. airshow, I received a call from Lt. Commander Frank Weisser (Lead Solo #5). He invited me on the ride and asked what seat I would like. The Choice was Solo ship, or slot #4. I called several people who had experienced both seats and hands down, everyone said to pick the slot. You get the best of both worlds with #4.
My last show of the season was in Homestead Florida just outside of Miami where I was briefed, bagged, strapped in, locked down and then handed the Blue helmet. Note that the Gold helmets are only worn by the Angels themselves.
The plan was to fly the slot #4 Hornet with “Kitty” (Major Chris Collins). I would be rocketing with him through their entire performance during Friday’s practice.
From start up to ejection seat activation and on through the complete check list, I tried, but I just couldn’t soak it all in. This was the ride of a lifetime and I didn’t want to miss a thing. Kitty was great and kept me informed along the way. I never did ask why his call name was Kitty, still, the guy kept it light and jovial.
Of course timing and details are everything, from closing the canopy to testing the smoke system, these men and women critique themselves by every movement and motion. This includes polished shoes, placement of flight suite zippers and even the correct sunglasses are all part of the details that make the Blues, the Blues.
This is serious stuff and failure at any level could mean serious consequences. The least being a fine payable to the Flight Surgeon (he’s the banker), with funds to be used for a big night out at the end of the season.
Lined up in a V formation on the runway, Boss calls for smoke on and power to 80%, then afterburners. I’m pushed back into my seat, hanging on to my video camera trying not to miss a moment. In seconds, the Boss, and number 2 and 3 are airborne, and before Kitty was in the air, he was sliding tightly in the diamond slot tucked right under the two engines of Lead #1, the Boss.
“No way, this is way too close”, I thought. Then I remembered all of those comments and conversation with my fellow aerobatic Pilots about how the Blues boast of 18 inches of separation. Yea right, 18 inches.
No Sh&%#, we are only 18 inches apart.
I can honestly say that if it were possible to remove the canopy and stand up in my seat, I could touch the wingtips of the #2 and #3 ship.
The next thing I realized was the thunderous noise. Our #4 Hornet’s canopy was inches below 40,000 lbs. of thrust with afterburners blazing off the #1 Lead hornet. My chest was vibrating as was the entire cockpit. This was some serious power.
Notice the restricted exhaust nozzles. If it were night, you would see 15 foot flames extending from each engine at this power setting.
Glancing left and right, we had already begun the Diamond Formation Cuban Eight, just passing vertical and pulling through 6,000 ft. We are less than 15 seconds into the flight.
But we are smooth, in tight formation watching the Sun change places in the clear canopy.
There is a sense of calmness throughout the team. No urgency, no sharp calls or commands from the Flight Leader Captain Greg McWherter (Boss). His tone is more of calming and coaxing gently guiding the team members to aaaaaaaaaaddd pooooowwweeer, liiiiiiiittle mooooooore pooooower, now puuuuulllll, puuulllll haaarrrdddeeeerrrr. And they were right there, one formation, as one aircraft. One Team.
This is not what I expected. As incredible was the ride in an F-18 Hornet, unbelievable was the Team itself. I tumble airplanes for a living. I’m used to the G’s and the strain of the belts against your hips and chest, But as a solo act, I have never experienced what this team has. An incredible bond, a trust in your team members and your leader, and belonging to something with such a heritage and reputation with pride and excellence. This was foreign to me.
For forty minutes, Kitty put me through the paces of pushing, pulling, rolling. I watched the ground fly by at 100 ft. and 430 kts. From upright to inverted.
Kitty hit me with 7.8 G hard right 270 degree turn followed by a hard left 7.4 G 180 degree turn. Grunting, squeezing and tightening everything I had, there was no way I was going to give the Blues any footage of me doing the bobble head or passing out. I would never hear the end of it.
From the diamond loop, diamond barrel rolls, double farvel, echelon parade, vertical break, down bomb burst, delta formation, delta break to landing 45 minutes of the greatest flying I’ve ever experienced.
Little did any of these team members know that, at the age of 10, I saw my first air show in Mason City, IA. The Blues were flying Thuds, better known a F-4 Phantoms.
Watching them fly, along with a few other performers, was the catalyst that gave me the desire, the passion to fly.
All I can say is thank you. The Blue Angels have been a part of my life for more than 40 years. To get to fly formation with them, to be asked to jump in the back seat for a ride, just to be part of an air show that they too are performing in is unbelievable.
Thank You Blue Angels!
Michael Wiskus (short guy in the middle)
Lucas Oil/Geico Air Shows
