Snowbirds down

In article ,
Dave wrote:
Really a sad day....

These guys fly a 9 plane formation, STAYING TOGETHER IN A CHANGING
FORMATION for 13 minutes at the show opening. Because the Tudor can
fly lower and slower than the fighters, the show is "center stage" for
the audience.

The Snowbirds and the Blue Angels were both at Salinas this year again.

The difference between the two teams is like night and day. The
Snowbirds are right in front of you the entire time. The Blue
Angels come by at high speed and then take three counties to turn
around and line up for their next pass. What the Blue Angels (and
Thunderbirds) do is amazing, but not no where near as interesting
as watching the Snowbirds fly.

With nine planes to work with, the Snowbirds can do some interesting
formations. They do one where they form a Canada Goose and another
where they a heavy bomber (two planes one each 'wing' with smoke on).

Some pictures from the Salinas Airshow are at:
http://www.panix.com/~jac/salinas2004/

John
--
John Clear - http://www.panix.com/~jac

"Dave" wrote in message
...
Really a sad day....

These guys fly a 9 plane formation, STAYING TOGETHER IN A CHANGING
FORMATION for 13 minutes at the show opening. Because the Tudor can
fly lower and slower than the fighters, the show is "center stage" for
the audience.

Rather than speed & power, it is like a delicate ballet that can bring
tears to the eyes of veteran pilots, the ones who can appreciate the
extreme difficulty of what they are doing, and the stress of being on
the outside of a rolling NINE plane formation.....

They will continue on after this , just like all the teams must do.

Condolences to them & their families.

Dave

I had the pleasure to fly an aerobatic evaluation on the Tutor with Greg
Bruneau in the #10 bird, by invitation of the Snows back in 75.
You are absolutely correct about the format of their show. From the
beginning, Col O.B.Phillip's vision for the team was that they do a show
"close" to the people; and I don't mean in proximity; but in the
identification" aspect. The Snowbird show in my opinion is one of the
finest pieces of precision formation aerobatics done in front of the
public. It's extremely difficult to perform, takes tremendous skill, and
no group in the world flies a finer demonstration.
Hopefully, there will be something learned from this tragedy as there is
something learned whenever a crash occurs like this. It's been my
experience that the team will continue once the detractors have their
say and things quiet down. The Snows carry a message of friendship for
Canada wherever they go, and are an invaluable asset to the National
interest of Canada.

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
Commercial Pilot/CFI Retired
for email; take out the trash