...this is some heavy shit...these guys still amaze me...the pilot is not smiling when he is pulling G's. He is gritting his teeth and is holding his breath and tensing his upper body in order to insure the blood does not rush from the head to the toes and cause a G loss of consciousness (GLOC). So, in effect this is a breathing maneuver he is doing to prevent GLOC - notice how he'll momentarily relax, take a breath and go right back into that maneuver. Staying in formation while upside down (others right side up) is very, very difficult. Also, notice on the rejoins the closure speed he uses to minimize the amount of time it takes to rejoin - of course they do this every day but it is still an art....enjoy. This footage is of the "slot man" in the Diamond formation...toughest flying due to wingtip vortices, etc...when he "smiles", he is pulling some serious positive/ negative "g" forces... These guys must be pulling 8 or better G's. Notice the rest of the formation in the Pilot's reflective goggles!
just saw them off in the distance at the Miramar airshow this weekend. Been on the desert floor in Ocotillo when they train out of El Centro, blasting overhead just a few hundred feet off the deck. pretty awesome until you have to go find your hat....lol!
aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh Breakfast is served, thank you kind Sir....! what's for Lunch, a C-130 Puff the Magic Dragon blowing away ISIS animals trying to launch RPG's....? We've got that too....! lol
