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AIR FORCE JETS - THUNDERBIRDS - CLOSE CALL!
Close Call. This one was really close. Big post flight hose-down. Check out the speed brakes fully deployed on the F-16 on the left! These guys are better than this, but close calls do happen. Obviously the timing was off in this maneuver. In a crossover, both planes try to cross each other at the same altitude going different directions. The lead plane flies a constant airspeed, and the second plane adjusts his airspeed (relative motion) to stay as close possible without having a mid-air. In the photo, the second plane was going too fast and pulled his speed brakes (panels sticking out on tail) and idled his engine (decreased contrail). He also was changing his altitude, base on the aeronautical law that states that two planes cannot occupy the same airspace at the same time. The altitude change was what saved his butt. I still can't believe they didn't swap paint. .......I Guess This is why people like air shows....................... SUBMITTED BY PAUL S. Received 4-5-04 Hi Head Stranger AIR FORCE JETS - CLOSE CALL! was on your website approx two weeks ago, I emailed this to Rex a friend in Florida and this is the reply I received. Could you display this on your website as to what really is happening. Submitted by Rex. Thanks John H. John. This is a hoax. The picture is real but isn't showing the planes accurately and the comment in the message about the picture are fabricated. The picture was taken from the ground which causes the planes to appear to almost collide but were actually approx. 500' apart. The bottom plane was actually going straight down and the top plane was gaining altitude. The Thunderbirds have procedures for calling a "knock-off" to the maneuver if any pilot feels that they are too close for comfort and simply go opposite directions from each other for safety. There is a ground observer on duty during each performance and can also call for a knock off if he sees anything that looks amiss from the ground. The picture has been circulating the internet for quite a while but is a picture from a normal Thunderbird performance and poses no danger. I saw the Thunderbirds at the McDill Air Fest Saturday and Sunday and saw this maneuver performed several times. Rex. Can anyone confirm? Head Stranger Rec'd from Dave S. 7-19-04: This is in response to the Close Call picture involving the F-16 Thunderbird Demonstration Team. Not to knitpick away at responses but some explanations are wrong. First of the decreased contrails are NOT contrails. That is a smoke system installed on the aircraft which sprays oil into the hot exhaust..causing smoke..it has nothing to do with the speed of the aircraft. Also the aircraft with the speedbrakes deployed does NOT have his engine at idle. IF his engine was in the idle position the exhaust nozzles would be at the full open position, but as you can see they are closed in full MIL. I have some experience on this subject, i have happen to be an F-16 crewchief. Speedbrakes do not necessarily mean the pilot is trying to perform emergency braking. Speedbrakes are used on landing and during high speed manuevers to change the aerodynamics of the aircraft and disrupt airflow. Granted they're primary purpose is to slow the aircraft down inflight they do NOT work like an emergency brake in a car. Ive spoken with several Thunderbird personnel and what is displayed is an everyday occurance at the airshow when the demo team performs the "CrossOver" or "Knife Edge Pass" Hope this helps - Dave S. 
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