Hello Tom,
I always look forward to your great pictures.

I am wondering about the Blues practice schedule before a show. They are
coming up to our area, Smyrna TN
on April 12 & 13. I was hoping to catch their practice on the 11th and beat
the crowds! Do they typically go out around their show time to practice,
(around 4PM here) or is there a set routine?

Ironically, they were scheduled to do a show here in September 2001 and we
all remember why that was cancelled. So we are lucky to get them back.

Thanks,
Ron Anderson



"Pensacola Beachcomber" wrote in
message ...
If you look at this photo you will see that the back half of the cockpit,
where the co-pilot normally sits, has a hood blocking the view. The hood
is pulled forward and makes it very dark inside the cockpit. The pilot in
the back then flies the aircraft on instruments even though it's not night
time. The guy in front is probably an instructor or flight inspector
making sure the flight is being conducted safely and within the parameters
of the mission. We see different types of trainers (T-34 Mentor, T-6
Texan) with the same type of hood installed. It's better than training in
a simulator because the aircraft is moving and subject to all of the
normal buffeting, crosswinds, etc. I don't know if a simulator flight is
as realistic. Probably not or they wouldn't spend the money to do it in a
real aircraft.

Hope that explained it, Tom in Pensacola


"Mike Barnard" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 08:56:15 -0500, "Pensacola Beachcomber"
wrote:

It's great when I can just stand in the yard and catch'em flying by.
This
guy/gal made a number of approaches under the hood. Guess the have more
fun
here than at Eglin AFB.


For those of us who don't live aircraft, unfortunately, what is "under
the hood"? No comments on big block chevvies please!

Lower than normal?