On 04 Jun 2004 01:00:22 GMT, ELETEME (Kurt R.
Todoroff) wrote:

I was in the stands for my daughter's USAFA graduation. The F/A-22 made
several passes north to south and vice versa. The crowd wouldn't stop talking
about it well after the parade ended. The first fly-by started with a simple
medium speed (I'm guessing 350 KIAS) pass over the parade field (south to
north) with the white and orange painted F-16 in chase, and culminated with a
nice pull to about 70 - 80 degree climb. Despite the dry Colorado air, the
pull produced quite a bit vapor on the wing upper surface. During the pull,
the pilot engaged afterburner, which we could distinctly see during the bright
Colorado day.

Sincere congratulations on the accomplishment of your daughter.

Quite a day, but not "dry" by Colorado standards. Low scattered, going
to broken and slight drizzle by the end of the ceremony and
Thunderbird showtime. Did the low show, I guess.


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN #1-58834-103-8