Download ppt - USAF THUNDERBIRDS 3600th Air Demonstration Squadron Nellis AFB, Nevada Cadet 4th Class Ashley Copes

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


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


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


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


Second planeSecond plane

F-84F F-84F ThunderstreakThunderstreak

Only used for part Only used for part of 1955of 1955


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


Fourth plane Fourth plane commissioned: commissioned:

F- F-105B 105B ThunderchiefThunderchief

Only used for 6 Only used for 6 showsshows


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


Sixth Plane (1969-1973) F-4E Phantom IISixth Plane (1969-1973) F-4E Phantom II


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


Eighth Plane Eighth Plane (1983-1992)(1983-1992)

F-16A (widely F-16A (widely used in Operation used in Operation Desert Storm)Desert Storm)


Ninth Plane (1992-present) F-16C Fighting Falcon


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!


ApplicantApplicant

Semi-Semi-

FinalistFinalist

FinalistFinalist

The JobThe Job

Intense Competition with Multiple Phases


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


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


FinalistFinalist

Travels to Nellis AFB, NVTravels to Nellis AFB, NV

Many personal interviewsMany personal interviews

Extensive medical examinationsExtensive medical examinations


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


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


Season lasts from March to Season lasts from March to NovemberNovember

Winter season used to train new Winter season used to train new membersmembers


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


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


Tight Diamond FormationTight Diamond Formation


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


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


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!


Calypso PassCalypso Pass

One plane One plane inverts itself atop inverts itself atop another planeanother plane


Cross-overCross-over

Key idea: Key idea: Traveling at Traveling at Very High Very High SpeedsSpeeds


““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


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.