A guy who works for me was there with his family and saw the whole thing. He's pretty depressed. He also saw the MIG that crashed at El Toro a few years ago.

 

With such an amazing piece of machinery like aircraft you often forget how risky it really is sometimes. Something that you know first hand George and can respect more than us.

 

You are absolutely correct, Luke. My banker told me today he thought they shoundn't hold air shows anymore. I told him I disagreed. Flying, particularly military flying, is risky but necessary. Air shows present the military with the opportunity to connect with the general public in a unique way.

 

I had a great oppritunity when I was younger to stay at McCord AF base for two weeks. I got to be in hanger with F-15s that were scrambled because of a UFO off the coast. That was really cool seeing those thing bust out from behind the blast shield. There were also a lot of B-52s flying around. It was the weekend of an air show and I got to see a F-117 stealth before there were really in the public eye. They let us go into the hanger escorted by guards with M-16s and I could get as close as I wanted without touching it. That was such a cool trip. I wish I had went to ROTC and college. Oh well...I've always known I would be a computer guy or a pilot since grade school. Looks I will just have to go for the private license later when I have more $$$.

 

damn...this is the third time I've heard of deaths from an airshow. A LONG LONG time ago, there was a airshow in Irvine, or a close by area and a pilot died from a landing accident.

 

Damn, that really sucks.

Very sad to hear about that

I agree with Raptor though. I don't think it is a reason to cancel airshows. I think they serve a great purpose in introducing the public to mlitary in a friendly environment.

 

I'll never forget the sight of the B2 stealth bomber at the RIAT in England a couple of years ago.
Air shows are very important, in the UK there are very stringent rules to minimise any threat to the general public in the case of catastrophic failure.
I can't wait for this years show at Fairford.

 

The B2 is an incredible bird, as is the B1 with it's variable geometry.

 

I thought we did'nt fly f-4 phantoms anymore especially in the navy. I know the airforce had a couple phantoms they were using as wild weasles but they were retired.

 

I tyhink that is correct. This was 2 F4s, not necessarily in active service, flying in formation with 2 F14 Tomcats.