OT - amazing Blue Angels show

[Doc B.]

We are currently staying at my brother's condo on the 36th floor of a high rise on the side that is facing Lake Michigan. Turns out the Blue Angels will be performing here in Chicago this weekend. Today was their practice session. So we're sitting in the living room and hear a turbine roar. Look almost straight out and these F-18s keep flying by quite literally one block away directly over Lakeshore Blvd., maybe just 75 ft. higher than we are. F***kin' amazing, they must have made about ten passes.

[Yoder]

Living just a few miles south of the AF Academy and directly under the flight path, we get to see all kinds of cool stuff like that for any and all special military occasions. Sometimes it will be a historical event starting with bi-planes, moving to WW II planes, and culminating with Stealth bombers. I watch them pull gliders up daily and release them. Interestingly enough, they have been getting into some great thermal updrafts over the fire scar and get way the hell up there. Must be majestic being in a plane like that with minimal sounds...maybe like a Prius?

Enjoy your much deserved vacation.

[debk]

Years ago I saw the Chicago air show from a friends condo at Lake Point Tower in Chicago.  It was very cool to see and hear.
I believe that the Chicago Air and Water show is this weekend.

Enjoy your vacation

Debra

[Doc B.]

Today's menu just included four A-10 Warthogs.

[Grainger49]

We were witness to the practice run and air show on Wakiki Beach a few years back.  We were staying in Hale Koa, a military hotel, so the jets used it as a homing beacon.  

I have a lot of strange looking photographs from the show.

For instance this guy is moving horizontally.

(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi244.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fgg7%2FGrainger49%2FFor%2520Posts%2520Private%2FIMG_0516.jpg&hash=e7d0e7e538f9becc11999f01cb17f6553a75beef)

[ironbut]

Wow,.. that musta been awesome!
It's amazing enough from the ground but being that high up you could probably see into the cockpit! Those fighter jets are a lot bigger than most folks think.

My exes family used to work at Lockheed in Sunnyvale. When the Moffit Field airshow was going, the pilots used to buzz Lockheed when they were flying one of their jets. They'd always have to replace a few windows after the airshow.

[Grainger49]

I went to a school, Southern Polytechnic University [now], that backed up to Lockeed Ga.  I have jumped for many low level fly overs.

[Noskipallwd]

Hey Doc, maybe if you offer the Blue Angels pilots some BH gear for their ready room, they might give you a VIP flight. That would be awesome!

Cheers,
Shawn

[Doc B.]

As much as I'd like to do it, I'd be one of those guys telling the story about barfing in the borrowed helmet. I have a very, very low tolerance for the influences of motion sickness. I had to quit autocrossing because I wanted to puke after a few laps, and when I would go under the Golden Gate in a boat I would usually be down in head so I could just get it over with.

I about 1990 Eileen and I flew in a Beaver from Seattle to Vancouver, during which the floatplane pilot was told to immediately climb from 2000 ft to 3500 ft to give airspace to some A7s flying out of Whidbey Is. Suffice it to say I had had some (OK a lot of) by then rather rare '75 Chateau St Michelle Cab the night before. But even under the rough conditions I didn't leave a mess in the cockpit. It's not only girls who have to work out the good vs. bad of "swallowing". When we landed the pilot did thank me for the act. '75 St. Michelle Cab doesn't really taste that good the second time you swallow it, but it would have looked pretty nasty spewed over the right seat instruments of a De Havilland...

[xcortes]

I'm the same. the first time I rode a rollercoaster in my adult life I was so tense that I had a back contracture that lasted for three years. i had to do it so my son cold ride since my wife was pregnant. i have had to do it on some other occasions since. i've learned that if you loose yourself it's not that bad but I'm still scared to death. two days ago i rode a new rollercoaster at Sea World that even turns you upside down. My son didn't like his daddy yelling "you have to conquer your fears " before the ride and screaming like a crazy whore during it. But when the ride was over I was immensely proud of myself, even with my legs trembling.

BTW, we've also had our share of killer planes showing their power at Coronado this week.

[John Roman]

My nephew and niece currently work for Lockheed and my brother for the military in Palmdale. They are currently working on the G22 raptor. What an awesome jet. Damned pricey too.
Watching practice from a tower has to be incredible, enjoy the show!
Send pix?
John