When I saw this weeks video clip, my mouth just dropped open. I couldn't believe my eyes.
This weeks clip takes us to yet another Airshow, only this time it doesn't feature a tragic mid-air collision. Instead, this clip shows an Airbus A310 doing a low speed pass and a high speed pass over the airfield.
It doesn't sound all that impressive but watch the video and look at just how low the airplane is on it's second pass. On the first pass, keep on eye on the left wing tip and how low it comes to the ground.
I realize the pilot is a professional but with a plane this big and and all the things that could go wrong, it just seems a little reckless to me. But it makes for an interesting video clip.
Showing posts with label Airshow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Airshow. Show all posts
Monday, September 24, 2007
Monday, September 03, 2007
Clip of the Week - September 3/07
I have always loved Air Shows and having lived in an Air Force town my whole life, I've not only been to numerous acrobatic displays but I live each day with military planes flying overhead.
Sadly, the clip this week reminds us of how dangerous air shows can be and that a fun afternoon enjoying the sights can quickly turn to tragedy. I have been witness first hand to an air show accident that involved two Canadian Snowbirds and it's a sight I'll never forget.
This Air Show accident happened in Poland on the weekend and resulted in the deaths of two pilots.
Sadly, the clip this week reminds us of how dangerous air shows can be and that a fun afternoon enjoying the sights can quickly turn to tragedy. I have been witness first hand to an air show accident that involved two Canadian Snowbirds and it's a sight I'll never forget.
This Air Show accident happened in Poland on the weekend and resulted in the deaths of two pilots.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Another Lost Snowbird
I was saddened to learn that another member of the Canadian Air Force Aerobatic Team known as the Snowbirds had crashed and been killed on Friday.
Capt. Shawn McCaughey of Quebec was killed after his jet crashed Friday afternoon in Montana while preparing for a weekend air show. No one ejected from the jet after it broke formation and crashed.
The Snowbird pilots are great ambassadors of Canada and represent the thousands of men and women in our armed forces wonderfully. It is always sad to see a tragedy like this happen but these pilots all know the risk and are willing and able to take on this challenge which they believe in so strongly. It makes me proud to be a Canadian every time I am lucky enough to witness them first hand. I've been very fortunate to live in an Air Force town which has given me countless opportunities to see this team in action over the years.
By my count there have been six pilots who have died as a result of a crash while performing with the Snowbirds. This is the 36th year that the Snowbirds have been in operation after forming in 1971. There have been several more close calls with pilots having to eject due to malfunctions or coming into contact with each other. Thankfully the total number of deaths is not higher.
I have always been a fan of Air Shows and up until recently, the annual Trenton Air Show was something I always looked forward to but that tradition appears to have come to an end with no mention of any further shows. The last Air Show in Trenton was in 2003 and like all of the Air Shows before then, I was in attendance.
The first time I saw the Snowbirds fly was in 1972 at the Trenton Air Show. It was just their second season and sadly, this was also the sight of their first fatality. I was almost 4 years old and I can still remember it today.
My mom and dad and my brother Scott and I were standing at the fence line watching the Snowbirds perform and were amazed by what we were seeing. They had already done a couple of maneuvers in formation and the two solo pilots were now doing their well known head on pass. The planes approach each other and at the right time they do a roll and avoid each other while giving the crowd a thrill.
The two planes passed in front of us. I don't remember hearing any sound of them clipping wings but I recall my mother saying, "Look, they're dropping leaflets." As it turns out it was actually aircraft parts falling to the ground. The Snowbird heading East went into a spin and flew into the ground and exploded on impact. The plane going West continued on into the distance and was wavering from side to side tipping its wings. The rest of the planes broke formation and a couple flew after the solo pilot still in the air while the remaining aircraft landed.
The fire trucks rolled and were on the scene but the damage had been done as Captain Lloyd Waterer (24) was killed instantly. I had heard from my uncle who was on the ground crew that day and was one of the first on scene that Captain Waterer did eject, but his plane was spinning so fast that he actually ejected while upside down and ejected into the ground.
It is my hope and my belief that this will not cause people to cry out that this team should come to an end and be disbanded. After previous incidents there has been talk of this happening but thankfully so far it has only been talk.
The only question might surround the aircraft themselves as they are an aging machine. The Canadair CT-114 Tutors have been a very reliable airplane and you can bet they receive thorough inspections on a regular basis but sometimes change can be good. I'm not sure what they'd be able to use instead but I'd love to see them flying CF-18 Hornets or something similar in the future. As long as they continue to fly and perform, I and many other Canadians will be happy.
Capt. Shawn McCaughey of Quebec was killed after his jet crashed Friday afternoon in Montana while preparing for a weekend air show. No one ejected from the jet after it broke formation and crashed.
The Snowbird pilots are great ambassadors of Canada and represent the thousands of men and women in our armed forces wonderfully. It is always sad to see a tragedy like this happen but these pilots all know the risk and are willing and able to take on this challenge which they believe in so strongly. It makes me proud to be a Canadian every time I am lucky enough to witness them first hand. I've been very fortunate to live in an Air Force town which has given me countless opportunities to see this team in action over the years.
By my count there have been six pilots who have died as a result of a crash while performing with the Snowbirds. This is the 36th year that the Snowbirds have been in operation after forming in 1971. There have been several more close calls with pilots having to eject due to malfunctions or coming into contact with each other. Thankfully the total number of deaths is not higher. I have always been a fan of Air Shows and up until recently, the annual Trenton Air Show was something I always looked forward to but that tradition appears to have come to an end with no mention of any further shows. The last Air Show in Trenton was in 2003 and like all of the Air Shows before then, I was in attendance.
The first time I saw the Snowbirds fly was in 1972 at the Trenton Air Show. It was just their second season and sadly, this was also the sight of their first fatality. I was almost 4 years old and I can still remember it today.
My mom and dad and my brother Scott and I were standing at the fence line watching the Snowbirds perform and were amazed by what we were seeing. They had already done a couple of maneuvers in formation and the two solo pilots were now doing their well known head on pass. The planes approach each other and at the right time they do a roll and avoid each other while giving the crowd a thrill.
The two planes passed in front of us. I don't remember hearing any sound of them clipping wings but I recall my mother saying, "Look, they're dropping leaflets." As it turns out it was actually aircraft parts falling to the ground. The Snowbird heading East went into a spin and flew into the ground and exploded on impact. The plane going West continued on into the distance and was wavering from side to side tipping its wings. The rest of the planes broke formation and a couple flew after the solo pilot still in the air while the remaining aircraft landed.
The fire trucks rolled and were on the scene but the damage had been done as Captain Lloyd Waterer (24) was killed instantly. I had heard from my uncle who was on the ground crew that day and was one of the first on scene that Captain Waterer did eject, but his plane was spinning so fast that he actually ejected while upside down and ejected into the ground.
It is my hope and my belief that this will not cause people to cry out that this team should come to an end and be disbanded. After previous incidents there has been talk of this happening but thankfully so far it has only been talk.
The only question might surround the aircraft themselves as they are an aging machine. The Canadair CT-114 Tutors have been a very reliable airplane and you can bet they receive thorough inspections on a regular basis but sometimes change can be good. I'm not sure what they'd be able to use instead but I'd love to see them flying CF-18 Hornets or something similar in the future. As long as they continue to fly and perform, I and many other Canadians will be happy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)