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USAF USAF THUNDERBIRDSTHUNDERBIRDS
3600th Air Demonstration 3600th Air Demonstration SquadronSquadron
Nellis AFB, NevadaNellis AFB, Nevada
Cadet 4th Class Ashley CopesCadet 4th Class Ashley Copes
Overview
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Selection Process and JobSelection Process and Job
The Air ShowThe Air Show
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Officially activated 25 May 1953Officially activated 25 May 1953 Luke AFB, AZLuke AFB, AZ 3600th Air Demonstration 3600th Air Demonstration
SquadronSquadron Original NameOriginal Name
• ““Stardusters”Stardusters”• Only used during first six showsOnly used during first six shows
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Native American Native American LegendLegend
Thunderbird was Thunderbird was looked upon to looked upon to grant victory in grant victory in battlebattle
Air Force found it Air Force found it a better emblema better emblem
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
First Plane (1953-First Plane (1953-1955)1955)
F-84G ThunderjetF-84G Thunderjet First appearance: First appearance: 1 1
June 1953 at June 1953 at Nellis AFB, NVNellis AFB, NV
1st public appearance: 1st public appearance: 23 June 1953 in 23 June 1953 in Cheyenne, WYCheyenne, WY
Last used 7 February Last used 7 February 1955 at Webb AFB, TX1955 at Webb AFB, TX
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Second planeSecond plane
F-84F F-84F ThunderstreakThunderstreak
Only used for part Only used for part of 1955of 1955
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
JUNE 1956JUNE 1956
Home of Thunderbirds Home of Thunderbirds relocates to Nellis AFBrelocates to Nellis AFB
Simultaneous Simultaneous transition from F-84 transition from F-84 series to F-100C series to F-100C Super SabreSuper Sabre
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Fourth plane Fourth plane commissioned: commissioned:
F- F-105B 105B ThunderchiefThunderchief
Only used for 6 Only used for 6 showsshows
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Fifth plane: F-Fifth plane: F-100D100D
13 years (minus 13 years (minus stint with F-105) stint with F-105) of F-100 jets of F-100 jets performing as performing as ThunderbirdsThunderbirds
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Sixth Plane (1969-1973) F-4E Phantom IISixth Plane (1969-1973) F-4E Phantom II
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Seventh Plane Seventh Plane (1974-1983)(1974-1983)
T-38A TalonT-38A Talon Switch made Switch made
because of oil because of oil embargoembargo
First supersonic First supersonic trainer aircraft trainer aircraft usedused
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Eighth Plane Eighth Plane (1983-1992)(1983-1992)
F-16A (widely F-16A (widely used in Operation used in Operation Desert Storm)Desert Storm)
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Ninth Plane (1992-present) F-16C Fighting Falcon
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
Nearly 48 years of performanceNearly 48 years of performance
Every US StateEvery US State
57 Countries 57 Countries
world-wideworld-wide
More than 3500More than 3500
demonstrationsdemonstrations
There has never There has never been a show been a show cancelled due to cancelled due to maintenance maintenance problems!problems!
Selection Process and JobSelection Process and Job
ApplicantApplicant
Semi-Semi-
FinalistFinalist
FinalistFinalist
The JobThe Job
Intense Competition with Multiple Phases
Selection Process and JobSelection Process and Job
Job Performance Job Performance RecordRecord
Communication SkillsCommunication Skills AppearanceAppearance Written Written
RecommendationsRecommendations
A pilot must have a A pilot must have a minimum of 1,000 flying minimum of 1,000 flying hours in high-hours in high-performance aircraft performance aircraft before applying.before applying.
Every Applicant’s Background is Intensely Every Applicant’s Background is Intensely ReviewedReviewed
Selection Process and JobSelection Process and Job
Semi-FinalistSemi-Finalist
Deploys with the teamDeploys with the team
Experiences travel conditions and Experiences travel conditions and rigorous demands of jobrigorous demands of job
Selection Process and JobSelection Process and Job
FinalistFinalist
Travels to Nellis AFB, NVTravels to Nellis AFB, NV
Many personal interviewsMany personal interviews
Extensive medical examinationsExtensive medical examinations
Selection Process and JobSelection Process and Job
If Chosen:If Chosen:
Officers are required to serve 2 Officers are required to serve 2 years on the Thunderbird teamyears on the Thunderbird team
Enlisted personnel are required to Enlisted personnel are required to serve between 3 and 4 yearsserve between 3 and 4 years
Selection Process and JobSelection Process and Job
PilotsPilots Incur 3 1/2 months of vigorous trainingIncur 3 1/2 months of vigorous training
Away from home for demonstrations Away from home for demonstrations
200-250 days a year 200-250 days a year
Each position is unique and NOT Each position is unique and NOT
interchangeable with other pilotsinterchangeable with other pilots
The Air ShowThe Air Show
Season lasts from March to Season lasts from March to NovemberNovember
Winter season used to train new Winter season used to train new membersmembers
The Air ShowThe Air Show
Personnel InvolvedPersonnel Involved
8 Pilots (6 Demonstration)8 Pilots (6 Demonstration)
4 Support Officers4 Support Officers
3 Civilians3 Civilians
130+ Enlisted Personnel130+ Enlisted Personnel
The Air ShowThe Air Show 6 aircraft perform over 30 maneuvers6 aircraft perform over 30 maneuvers F-16C Fighting FalconF-16C Fighting Falcon Multi-role fighter (tactical bomber Multi-role fighter (tactical bomber
and/or air-to-air combat)and/or air-to-air combat) Slightly modified for Thunderbird modelSlightly modified for Thunderbird model
• Smoke-generating system in place of 20mm Smoke-generating system in place of 20mm cannon in the rearcannon in the rear
• Thunderbirds colors painted instead of normal Thunderbirds colors painted instead of normal gray/blue colorgray/blue color
The Air ShowThe Air Show
Begins with 4 aircraft taking-off in Begins with 4 aircraft taking-off in tight diamond-formationtight diamond-formation
Continues with a series of different Continues with a series of different maneuversmaneuvers
The Air ShowThe Air Show
Tight Diamond FormationTight Diamond Formation
The Air ShowThe Air Show
Arrowhead LoopArrowhead Loop
While in Arrowhead Formation, 4 planes While in Arrowhead Formation, 4 planes roll as one unitroll as one unit
High-speed rolls are also performed by High-speed rolls are also performed by the solo planesthe solo planes
The Air ShowThe Air Show
Maximum Performance TurnMaximum Performance Turn
9 G’s acting upon pilot’s body 9 G’s acting upon pilot’s body (solo maneuver) (solo maneuver)
9 times pilot’s body weight while 9 times pilot’s body weight while making a 360-degree turn in a making a 360-degree turn in a 3,000 foot radius3,000 foot radius
The Air ShowThe Air Show
Tactical SurpriseTactical Surprise
Solo pilot sneaks up to diamond Solo pilot sneaks up to diamond formation at very high speedformation at very high speed
Solo pilot must be cautious not to Solo pilot must be cautious not to break sound barrier!break sound barrier!
The Air ShowThe Air Show
Calypso PassCalypso Pass
One plane One plane inverts itself atop inverts itself atop another planeanother plane
The Air ShowThe Air Show
Cross-overCross-over
Key idea: Key idea: Traveling at Traveling at Very High Very High SpeedsSpeeds
The Air ShowThe Air Show
““Each show consists of a series of Each show consists of a series of maneuvers that every Air Force maneuvers that every Air Force fighter pilot learns in his or her fighter pilot learns in his or her initial training. The only difference initial training. The only difference is that we fly them in tighter is that we fly them in tighter formation and closer to the formation and closer to the ground.” ground.” -SSgt. -SSgt. Charles RameyCharles Ramey
The Air ShowThe Air Show
How close to each other do they fly?How close to each other do they fly?
18” to 3’ between inner wing-tips18” to 3’ between inner wing-tips
How close to the ground are they?How close to the ground are they?
As low as 75 feet!As low as 75 feet!
ConclusionConclusion
Thunderbirds used 9 different aircraft, Thunderbirds used 9 different aircraft,
currently using F-16C.currently using F-16C.
The selection process is difficult.The selection process is difficult.
The demonstration/air show is amazing The demonstration/air show is amazing
with stunts that are not only difficult with stunts that are not only difficult
but very beautiful in their art.but very beautiful in their art.
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