@@dhbroussard89 And a good thrust/weight ratio making it fast enough to sling missiles far, carry a huge load for its size or sustain high G turns. It is a magnificent peace of art!
I was a young man in the 80s, working in SF as a cabling contractor and had the pleasure of watching them training from a sky scrapers top floor window. It was so awesome ! I'm almost 60 yrs old and it'll always be a memorable moment of time. I could the pilots as they flew bye. 👍
Driving south to SD/ Miramar on the 15 freeway, "Song Number 2" by Blur began playing on the local radio station , lol " as he sang " got my head checked by a jumbo jet woo..hoo " some pilot obv from the local area flew over the freeway at extremely low altitude. He matched the song and lyrics with precision what jet idk f18 but it was a tremendous sound and sight he was flying so low he basically brushed the highway , because of the synchronicity style timing I never forgot
These clips never get old. Be it a 5K foot climb or a 5 mile pass, it never ceases to amaze me how quickly these fighter jets can get from point A to point B.
@Ricobaca Some props were starting to get pretty fast for the time, P-51s, P-38s and others were capable of 350 - 450 or so. F-16 can easily maintain stable flight below those speeds
I wonder how many times during this show he thought.... Should do a low pass under the Golden Gate now while we are at it...?! :D It will be his last trip, but he'll make headlines on his way out.
Quand tu rentres dans l'armée, tu ne feras jamais le meilleur métier du monde. Tu obeis aux ordres et tu fermes ta gueule, bref tout ce que la vie déteste.
@@portnuefflyer There is plenty of room beneath the Bridge under ideal conditions, i.e. fair weather with good visibility, but if there was zero chances of an in-flight mishap then there would never be accidents involving training flights over uninhabited areas adjacent to air bases in the U.S. involving both jet aircraft and helicopters. There is never 'complete safety' when flying near urban areas. In 1982, an Air Force B-52 bomber was practicing a combat takeoff from Mather AFB, just outside of Sacramento CA. It crashed into a nearby field after witnesses said the pilot appeared to point the aircraft away from populated areas before the plane went down. All nine crew members were killed.
IN MY VIEW The surrounding glass makes the pilots view spectacular. His take off and landing could not possibly be any smoother. Thank you for sharing this with us.
This was such a COOL video. Went full screen and I imagined myself as the pilot. I've always wanted to do this since I was a kid. I love the fact there was no sound but the jet.
Love the views from the glass canopy. Flying a fighter plane has to be about the most fun thing you could ever possibly do on this planet. Great video!
I flew the F16 and it has the best view of all fighters! It doesn't have a canopy bow like some fighters have. It's unrestrictive viewing. When I first started flying it, I was uncomfortable because I didn't feel like I was in an airplane. I felt like I was on an airplane. Then you LOVE it! Most F16 pilots felt the same way.
@@jster1963 The A10 has pretty good visibility too, my dream is to eventually fly for the Air Force since my parents both spent 20 years. Hopefully someday I'll be flying the F16 or if I'm lucky enough the 35.
I was standing at one of the observation points on the Marin side of the Golden Gate Bridge (Battery) when he was making his passes. At several points, he was actually LOWER than we were! Beautiful sound... beautiful aircraft.
Thank you thank you thank you. I so enjoyed hanging on your left shoulder for this flight over the bay. Although I eventually became a pilot flying 6 different fixed wing planes, my life took a different path and would never get the chance to fly a jet as this. Thanks for leaving all the real sounds of this flight with no chatter. This is absolute gold for me.
While serving as M. P. security at Moffett Field in early 90s, I was fortunate to have the Blue Angels publicity officer offer each of us short (4 minute ) rides with them. I jumped at the opportunity and it was amazing. The pilot was just a few years older than I was, which blew me away. The best part was when we landed and they thanked us for the job we were doing. Made me feel really special.
I flew the F16 in the late 1980's and early 1990's and when you're flying "close/fingertip" formation, 99.99% of your concentration in on the plane you're flying formation off of. Every now and then you glance in to check your fuel state, but it's like taking a picture and then remembering what the gage read. He did an outstanding job!
@@crandonborth That system is called the Up Front Controller. It controls many things that appear in the HUD, but what you saw is him changing radio frequencies. Most frequencies that we use day to day are pre programed. However, this is not his local flying area, so he has to manually type the frequency and then tell it to switch. That is an F16C and I started in the F16A. The "A" didn't have the Up Front Controller and we had to use our left hand on a lower panel to do what he did. I'm glad we switched to the "C" model. I hope this helped....
@@crandonborth So true! However, they continually update the avionics and the engines. The highest tech version I flew was the F16C Block 30E. The reason the don't change the "C" is because it would be classified as a different airplane. And if it's a different airplane, there are TONS of hoops that have to happen in congress, and the funding is like funding a new plane. The "work around" is changing the Block designation. They can totally change everything about how every system works, but it's still considered an F16C. When I got out of active duty, they were on Block 50. Who knows what they have now......
I imagine every demo flight has to include a moment of clarity/mindfulness where you think "holy shit, I'm really doing this." Flying over a few million people in a matter of seconds must be one of those times and a very memorable one at that. I'd like to hear a play by play from the pilot. Maybe I'm wrong and all he wants to do is land and go take a nap.
@@Mike-01234 I think making it a routine is literally what it is, but I know what you mean. In that case the mindfulness will hit with an overwhelming feeling of regret and helplessness when they realize "holy shit, I'll never (be able to) do that again."
@@Mike-01234 Just because something becomes routine doesn't for one second preclude a person from occasionally needing to pinch themselves as a reminder that they are not dreaming.
I think for 30 grand, you can go to some countries in Eastern Europe that let you fly some MiG-29 or even 25 for 30 minutes that includes physical checks and training.
@@theprinceoftides6836 Better than nothing, maybe, but still not an F-16... The F-16 is the one and only in my eyes, but it is true that at least some years ago you could go to Moscow and fly a MiG-25 I think. Maybe even a MiG29, but that isn't quite the same.... I'd opt out.
I almost sprayed my tea at 16:47 when that P51 seemingly appeared outta nowhere and crossed in front of the canopy at point blank range. Felt like a sequel to Final Countdown. 😉
My grandfather was an Air Force pilot and trained at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas in the late 50's early 60's. My father was also a Phantom F-4 pilot in the 80s. My childhood was spent with the memories and explanations that my father told me about his flights with the Phantom, and they were magnificent to me, but now, seeing this flight, it's as if all my father's memories became a picture for me, great respect for fighter pilots. Sleep well Dad, I will always be proud of you…🖤
Greetings from Denmark! We've had the F16 as the only Fighter Jet in service over 50 years! And next year, we'll get the new F35. Excited to see what the amazing pilots will be able to accomplish with it.
That was cool as hell. i totally lost all track of time engulphed and watching the entire flight. when i realized he was landing , i was both excited and saddened that the conclusion was near. Complete and Total Respect !!
To think that this machine appeared back in 1974 - with a FBW sidesitck! Amazing. This had to have been the inspiration for Airbus and its A320 during the design phase of that Toulouse Tube. What a beast the F-16 is, to this day I think it has the best all round viz for the pilot of any combat jet out there. Look at this pilots extreme level of fitness, pulled the 9G 360deg hard turn , rolled out and carried on with his day. Just watching the video validates what its pilots say: you dont get into a Viper - you strap it on!
What an amazing pilot, what skill. I once was a passenger that flew under the Golden Gate Bridge in a helicopter, seeing this brought back memories of how amazing San Fran is.
@13:00 after the max performance climb when he levels out and you can all of the sudden see, like, half the entire bay because he's climbed 3-4 thousand feet less than 15 seconds. That has to be the coolest feeling.
This is so cool. Thank you for sharing your memories with us. Worked with a fair few of the US. Can say great people who can kick ass. God bless you mate and God Bless your country mericaaaaaaaa!!!!
Eh? We have air displays in Europe? Granted they’re not as bad-ass as some of the US ones, but what we’re seeing here is pretty much normal flying for some of the aircraft at our local display 🤙🏻
I have to write this in German: Wenn man so über Berlin fliegen würde, bekämen einige Politiker Schnappatmung. 😂 Literally translated: if someone were to fly like this over Berlin there would be more than one politician gasping. - But I like it! This flying looks so effortlessly however, with my humble general aviation experience, I can only assume that both, the g's and the forces to move the controls with precision require a skilled expert, to say the least.
American fighter pilots cost 10 million each.... They can withstand 10+ g and engage in critical thinking while doing so. Only 10% of people who enter fighter pilot training pass.... That's why the American Air Force is untouchable.
@@kingdjoser3557 Own?... We see it as liberation not ownership... America doesn't want to own anything... We understand that Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler's were actual figures in our history that can never happen again...
@@angelinasa1031 Jet fighter pilots are required to have good vision without glasses or contacts. I have a pilots license but I need to wear my contacts or wear glasses. I've been wearing contacts for decades.
I don’t know if my cousin would ever see this comment, but he has been flying one of these for 20 years. And damn is it admirable, never been jealous of a soul except the fact that he’s been able to experience this!
To be signed up to do this to defend is awesome oppurtunity on it's own,but then to be asked to just go out and fly it like its stolen has to be the best job ever.
You talking about a professional you talking about somebody shop is right in front of you right on your dial that's the best I've seen so far I got is one friend of mine you know how to stop the plane in the air but you doing a great job soldier love your work
I remember when a former Air Force pilot who was flying for an airline company. He was talking about one airport where they had a requirement for the jets to take a relatively sharp turn while climbing. I believe it was due to a noise abatement procedure at the airport. The pilot liked it. He said this is how planes should be flown. Passengers may not like feeling the stronger than normal g -force they will feel.
Sure is hard to believe that this ride is so smooth, even with the pilot squinched over as hell to the right as he can! He made a helluva video and it is hard for me to believe that this jet is outclassed these days.
@ 0:42 ish...when he waves to both the jetBlue and Citation flights - Priceless Even though it's a demo flight, it's like he is saying "Thank you for holding" ...and ...."Oh, I got your back" - both at the same time.
On June 12, 1942, Bong flew very low ("buzzed") over a house in nearby San Anselmo, the home of a pilot who had just been married. He was cited and temporarily grounded for breaking flying rules, along with three other P-38 pilots who had looped around the Golden Gate Bridge on the same day.[4] For looping the Golden Gate Bridge, flying at a low level down Market Street in San Francisco, and blowing the clothes off of an Oakland woman's clothesline, Bong was reprimanded by General George C. Kenney, commanding officer of the Fourth Air Force, who told him, "If you didn't want to fly down Market Street, I wouldn't have you in my Air Force, but you are not to do it any more and I mean what I say." Kenney later wrote, "We needed kids like this lad."[5] from Wikipedia
I have so much respect for these guys,thank you for ur service to everyone serving in the USA military and coming and making sure ur country’s allies are safe as well
I admire the capabilities of the machine and the skill of the pilot but most of all I admire his restraint. I wouldn't be able to not fly under those bridges. Probably multiple times.
I test them ladies and gentlemen touchdown that is the best performance I've seen in a long time like I said I have a friend they know how to stop the planes in midair you doing a great job once again and also you back in the back
I think its amazing how home flight sim videos game can provide you this type view and in VR. I'VE Been playing DCS F16 in VR and the sound and visuals in VR simulate the Viper look you seen here pretty good. Add a motion sim seat and its even more realistic.
@@mrsoikawa bruh, if America sends more weapons to Ukraine Russia will strike, they already stated that after all the stingers/javelins/NLAWS arrived, and if Russia strikes the article 5 will be set in motion
@@TOx1CC Russia will strike what? I don't understand you. They've already struck. For me the line has already been crossed. It's pure bullshit, all this talk about it not happening again after WW2, the UN, blah blah blah... The current UN SG is even under pressure now otherwise the UN will become obsolete. It's a complete shitshow. Of course it's scary, but if what we say has any meaning we should have done something a long time ago. We're spineless cowards.
Amazingly clear view all round through that canopy. Compare that with what Spitfire pilots could see from the cockpit - especially when taking off and landing with the nose up.
Vids like these just go to show how good you have to be to fly high performance fighters like these!! I’ve always had so Much respect for these boys and girls!!!
Wow! Another great video Rain. I’m starting to realize you’ve done some very impressive flying in some of the coolest locations. Is doing the show over water more challenging at all?
They definitely present some different challenges. All the maneuvers are done on a 500’ or 1500’ line away from the crowd. At an airport it is usually a taxiway or runway. Easy to see. On the way it is usually a boat or buoy. The boat is pretty easy but the buoys can be tough.
