Blue Angel #6 video

[Randy Haskin]

Thunderbird pilots definitely DO wear G-suits while performing.

People are making a big deal of the G-suit, but the fact is that it only provides about ONE (yes, that's correct...1) extra "G" to a pilot's tolerance. The vast majority of a pilot's G tolerance is in his AGSM, or Anti G Straining Maneuver. It's the muscle tensing and chest-pressure breathing that can increase G tolerance by 3 or 4 Gs.

Factors like dehydration and fatigue also play a HUGE role. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but it goes something like if you're 5% dehydrated (that means feeling thirsty), your G tolerance is reduced by 50%.

[hsperdue]

The Hornet is capable of some really phenomenal high AOA maneuvering in an area of the flight envelope that most would consider "post stall".

A formation join-up is a complicated beast, especially using the technique that the Blues seem to, which looks like a pure-pursuit join which squares the corner end-game. I think it's unlikely that a "high speed stall" occurred here...if that were to occur, it wouldn't be tough to unload and pull the ejection handles if you thought you weren't going to make it.

IMHO GLOC is a more probable answer.

I agree with Randy... it looks like a classic GLOC...

[DamienB]

From the description attached to the video it appears the team continued flying the display despite the crash of one of their aircraft?

[Fouga23]

From the description attached to the video it appears the team continued flying the display despite the crash of one of their aircraft?

most landed, 2 stayed, circling the crash site.

[Cripes]

I'm just curious why the Blues don't wear G-Suits. And if it does turn out to be GLOC (not sure how they will know), might that cause the Navy to rethink things?

[Randy Haskin]

I'm just curious why the Blues don't wear G-Suits. And if it does turn out to be GLOC (not sure how they will know), might that cause the Navy to rethink things?

They believe that the inflation and deflation of the suit during the maneuvers compromises the pilot's ability to maintain a precise formation position. Apparently they rely heavily on their forearm resting on their thigh due to the nose-down trim condition they fly in.

Again, as posted above, the G suit helps a little (adds 1 G of tolerance), but is no magic elixir.

[Cripes]

Thanks Randy, that's interesting. I guess with the side-stick it's less of an issue with the T-Birds.

[Bill Greenwood]

When flying in a show the one rule or restriction that really makes sense is to respect the show line or dead line, the safety marker that keeps planes a certain distance from the crowd. There have been dozens of fatal accidents with the U S jet teams, but to my knowledge never a plane going into the crowd. Does anyone know if this is true? I mean in the U S, I know of the terrible accident with the Italian Team.

[skymstr02]

Thanks Randy, that's interesting. I guess with the side-stick it's less of an issue with the T-Birds.

Its more of a body in a semi-recline position in the F-16 vs sitting upright and the legs being closer to the same plane as the heart thats the issue with the T-birds.

[King]

Thanks Randy, that's interesting. I guess with the side-stick it's less of an issue with the T-Birds.

Its more of a body in a semi-recline position in the F-16 vs sitting upright and the legs being closer to the same plane as the heart thats the issue with the T-birds.

The F-16 is actually one of the better current fighters for natural G tolerance due to it's 30 deg. seat recline, although recent studies now say that 45 deg. seat recline is good for at least 1 extra G tolerance. When you get past about 40 deg. seat recline, pilot line of sight outside and even of the panel is reduced dramatically.

Recent studies have suggested that increased G tolerance in the reclined F-16 seat is mainly due to greater leg elevation and hip flexion. This position decreases blood pooling in the legs and increases circulating volume and blood pressure from the waist up.

[Cubs]

Can only speculate myself. Would like to mention that when the F-20 Tigershark crashed during a demo. the pilot Darrell Cornell was killed. Did not eject. A short time before he got into the aircraft he made the remark the he was "thirsty". Certainly, when trying to impress others to sell the plane, he really "wracked it around". GLOC.

Paul

[RickH]

If I remember right there were two F-20s lost to accidents attributed to GLOC.