What is the purpose of the Thunderbirds?

What is the purpose of the Thunderbirds?

Thunderbirds, official name U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft squadron that performs aerobatics at air shows and other events throughout the United States and around the world.

How close do the Thunderbirds fly in formation?

18 inches
In their individual performances, each team flies their aircraft as close as 18 inches apart, but the Super Delta formation of dissimilar aircraft will keep a separation of 36 inches. Major Kyle Oliver is the new Thunderbird slot #6 this season, flying the boldest and fastest solo maneuvers.

What kind of planes do the Thunderbirds fly?

Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Do the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds fly the same plane?

To the untrained eye it might seem as though, other than the color, the two are the same. There are some significant differences between the two though, one being what each squadron is flying. Based out of Florida, the Blue Angels are known for their classic navy blue and yellow F/A-18 Hornets and duel engine jet.

Why is Thunderbird 5 upside down?

The 5 is upside-down because During the show he spends the most time upside-down. On crowd passes, and show center, he is usually inverted. Also, the F-4 Phantom and T-38 Talon fly perfectly well inverted.

Are the Thunderbirds used in combat?

In addition to their air demonstration responsibilities, the Thunderbirds are part of the USAF combat force and if required, can be rapidly integrated into an operational fighter unit. Since 15 February 1974 the Thunderbirds have been a component of the 57th Wing at Nellis AFB.

Can civilians fly with the Thunderbirds?

However, the Thunderbirds occasionally arrange special flights for reporters, officials, and various VIPs. The squadron has an F-16D Block 52 jet with two seats. A pilot may take a civilian into the air and perform several maneuvers, but these rides are typically separate from scheduled airshows.

How close do the Blue Angels fly to each other?

The Hornets fly as close as 18 inches apart During the Diamond 360 maneuver, the Hornets will fly just 18 inches apart from each other! In the maneuver, Blue Angels #1 leads a pack of four who fly closely – just 1 ½ feet from each other – in a diamond shape.

Which plane is faster Blue Angels or Thunderbirds?

The Angels fly F-18s, and we fly F-16s. The F-18 show is typically slower but some of the formations are tighter. That’s because the F-16s are faster due to a higher thrust-to-weight ratio. On the road, the Angels run a very similar schedule to the Thunderbirds.

Why is the 5 upside down?

What do the Thunderbirds fly today?

F-16 Fighting Falcon The F-16 has been the demonstration aircraft for the Thunderbirds since the 1983 season. The team continues to fly the F-16, having switched from the F-16A to the F-16C in 1992.

What kind of F-16s do the Thunderbirds fly?

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Florida — Just like their combat Falcon counterparts, the Air Force Thunderbirds F-16s are receiving the same upgrades to keep the jets flying for decades into the future, officials said. The Thunderbirds fly the Block 52 variant F-16C and D models.

How long does the Air Force Thunderbirds show?

Thunderbirds. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solo aircraft highlight the maximum capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The pilots perform approximately 30 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including ground and air, runs about an hour and fifteen minutes.

Why are the Thunderbirds important to the Air Force?

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performs precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world. The squadron exhibits the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft.

When did the Thunderbirds stop using F-4’s?

Five T-38s used the same amount of fuel as one F-4. The jets flew until 1982, when a four-plane diamond loop impacted the ground, killing all pilots. A mechanical problem with the #1 aircraft caused the crash. Following a six month investigation, the Thunderbirds resumed flying in 1983 with the F-16.