Lightly loaded, an F-16 fighter jet can accelerate in a vertical climb. This climb came seconds after take off from Daytona Beach, Florida, right at the start of a demonstration flight with the Air Force Thunderbirds.
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
Lightly loaded, an F-16 fighter jet can accelerate in a vertical climb. This climb came seconds after take off from Daytona Beach, Florida, right at the start of a demonstration flight with the Air Force Thunderbirds.
U.S. Air Force
Maj. Michael Fisher, advance pilot/narrator for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds, gives a preflight briefing to CNN's Carl Lavin before Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Wings and Waves Air Show in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Thursday, October 9.
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
Maj. Michael Fisher, advance pilot/narrator for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds, gives a preflight briefing to CNN's Carl Lavin before Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Wings and Waves Air Show in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Thursday, October 9.
David Massey
The helmet, water bottle, ear plugs, gloves and air sickness bags that the Air Force provide need little explanation. A three-hour safety briefing explains the G-suit and breathing apparatus to new passengers before the Thunderbirds demonstration flight.
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
The helmet, water bottle, ear plugs, gloves and air sickness bags that the Air Force provide need little explanation. A three-hour safety briefing explains the G-suit and breathing apparatus to new passengers before the Thunderbirds demonstration flight.
courtesy carl lavin
Maj. Michael Fisher shakes hands with CNN's Carl Lavin before the air show on October 9. Also on the flight line is Maj. Darrick Lee, Thunderbirds public affairs officer.
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
Maj. Michael Fisher shakes hands with CNN's Carl Lavin before the air show on October 9. Also on the flight line is Maj. Darrick Lee, Thunderbirds public affairs officer.
David Massey
The Thunderbirds team keeps eight F-16 airplanes ready on the flight line at Daytona Beach International Airport before the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Wings and Waves Air Show.
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
The Thunderbirds team keeps eight F-16 airplanes ready on the flight line at Daytona Beach International Airport before the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Wings and Waves Air Show.
David Massey
Thunderbirds take CNN's Carl Lavin on a media ride before Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Wings and Waves Air Show in Daytona Beach.
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
Thunderbirds take CNN's Carl Lavin on a media ride before Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Wings and Waves Air Show in Daytona Beach.
David Massey
Take off speed in the F-16 fighter jet is about 140 miles an hour. A single-seat version is standard for combat. This two-seat version is used in training and for demonstration rides.
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
Take off speed in the F-16 fighter jet is about 140 miles an hour. A single-seat version is standard for combat. This two-seat version is used in training and for demonstration rides.
U.S. Air Force
Sharp turns and unusual views of the horizon add to the thrills of a ride in a fighter jet. After an hour demonstration ride with the Thunderbirds, this was the scene through the canopy heading for a landing on runway 7-L at Daytona Beach, which is visible in the top left part of the frame.
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
Sharp turns and unusual views of the horizon add to the thrills of a ride in a fighter jet. After an hour demonstration ride with the Thunderbirds, this was the scene through the canopy heading for a landing on runway 7-L at Daytona Beach, which is visible in the top left part of the frame.
courtesy carl lavin
The full set of cockpit instruments in the backseat of the F-16 include all the controls to maneuver the jet. A passenger learns what to touch (oxygen and communications controls) and what not to touch (almost everything else).
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
The full set of cockpit instruments in the backseat of the F-16 include all the controls to maneuver the jet. A passenger learns what to touch (oxygen and communications controls) and what not to touch (almost everything else).
courtesy carl lavin
The bubble canopy on the Thunderbird F-16 covers the pilot, Maj. Michael Fisher, and the second seat area, where a passenger can almost reach ahead and tap the pilot on the shoulder.
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
The bubble canopy on the Thunderbird F-16 covers the pilot, Maj. Michael Fisher, and the second seat area, where a passenger can almost reach ahead and tap the pilot on the shoulder.
coutesy carl lavin
CNN's Carl Lavin gives a thumbs up before his flight at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Wings and Waves Air Show in Daytona Beach.
Flying with the Thunderbirds —
CNN's Carl Lavin gives a thumbs up before his flight at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Wings and Waves Air Show in Daytona Beach.
David Massey