It will not take off but it will fly!

[MadDogDriver]

Can you even begin to comprehend the G forces that guy is working with!? You can see what appears to be a practice bomb to the right of the plane, unless that's some kind of rocket takeoff assist canister. Condensation like that doesn't usually occur until near the speed of sound. I don't konw that I would be flying that fast that close to the deck.

Fantastic pic! Can you give us any details?

Nope. No practice bombs & no JATO (Jet Assisted Takeoff). Just a real low altitude high speed pass and high 'g' pullup in real humid conditions by one of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets.

This is what rockets looks like when doing a JATO with the Blue Angels C-130 "Fat Albert".

 

[daTeacha]

Come down from the right wingtip to the ground. Find two black posts or something. Go up from the right one about 1/4 of the way to the plane. What is that object that looks like a tank or practice bomb and appears to be falling?

 

[Tom_Veatch]

...Gaining flight is not about RPM or engine size or wheel speed.............IT's ABOUT RELATIVE GROUND SPEED. ...

I can't believe this non-issue is still being bandied about. Incidently the quoted statement above is dead wrong!

Gaining flight has absolutely nothing to do with ground speed, relative (whatever that means) or not. It is totally and exclusively a function of AIRSPEED.

 

[MadDogDriver]

Come down from the right wingtip to the ground. Find two black posts or something. Go up from the right one about 1/4 of the way to the plane. What is that object that looks like a tank or practice bomb and appears to be falling?

I see what you're referring to, Rich. The two black posts are taxiway lights. I'm not sure what that blue object is, but I'm positive it's not a practice bomb, nor a drop tank. The Blue Angels' flight demonstrations do not include intentionally dropping anything off their jets. Sorry I can't help you identify it, but I seriously doubt it came from the jet.

 

[MadDogDriver]

I can't believe this non-issue is still being bandied about. Incidently the quoted statement above is dead wrong!

Gaining flight has absolutely nothing to do with ground speed, relative (whatever that means) or not. It is totally and exclusively a function of AIRSPEED.

Tom's correct in that the quoted statement "It's about relative ground speed" is dead wrong. However, gaining flight is not totally and exclusively a function of airspeed. You need airspeed to fly, but that's not all. Although I do enjoy the axiom "Speed if Life"

Airspeed plays an essential and critical funtion of gaining flight, but it's not exclusively the only function.

For those interested in more details, just google "principles of flight" and you can keep yourselves amused forever.

 

[rback33]

I must admit I enjoyed the original and as others have said... this one should be left be. go read the original and it will answer all your questions.... leave this one for what it was meant to be....