Forum: Careers & Assignments

This is a question for all the pilots, CCs and maintainers out there.

As a civilian who loves military aviation, I love airshows. They're the only time I get to get up close to the jets and (until I found this site) the only time I got to pick the brains of the pilots and maintainers.

My question for all you guys and gals is whether or not you enjoy airshow duty? What are the pros and cons from your point of view? I know the FOD walkdowns have to be less than thrilling, Evil or Very Mad

and keeping an eye on the civilians is a never ending job, but do you enjoy showing off the jets in the air and on the ground? How much do you like talking to the kids of all ages (but especially the young ones)? Basically, what are your favorite and least favorite parts of airshow duty? Any war stories you could share would be cool too! Very Happy

A second question just came to mind. What advice can you offer to us civilians? I think the people on this web site know not to touch the aircraft and not to smoke around them (I've seen it on more than one occasion), but any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for putting up with us! Very Happy

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On the whole I have enjoyed the times I was doing static displays at airshows. Talking with people that are truly interested is always fun, the kids are generally excited about seeing the airplanes. Also, a completely sexist statement, some of the things that girls and wives wear to airshows are umm..thrilling to say the least!! So, sometimes you talk to the kids (or the boyfriend) while making sure mommy stays firmly in view!! Enough of that!

The only truly annoying thing to me is when guys want to impress me-or their girlfriend-with their knowledge. They have read and memorized every book in existence on the aircraft (I happen to work F-15's) and know every detailed iota of information there is. Then they get annoyed when they ask this incredibly detailed question and don't understand why I can't answer it off the top of my head! HELLO, that is what technical data is for, if I need to know something I go look it up.

Just remember the crew chief and pilot may or may not be volunteering to be there, and are definitely there on their day off, maybe even away from home. Take a few minutes to engage in some polite conversation and don't ignore the crew chief. Just keep your daughters, wives and mothers away from them!

JMC

Parrothead,

That's how we keep the Zippers flying! Since we've done all the DOD test's with the Eagle's and Viper's trying to catch us, we love 'em cause that's now our bread and butter... So as far as we are concerned, keep 'em coming!

Thanks for the contribution Eagle! Very Happy

Airshows are rarely cold weather events and when the sun comes out, so does the skin!! Cool

Eye candy would definitely be a fringe benefit of that a$$ignment! Very Happy

In all seriousness, thanks for all you do, for the squadron and the public. By being accessible to the public and chit chatting with us, you start those little kids dreaming of flying and do more for recruiting than the T-birds.

Now how did I know you'd show up here, JR? Seems like you've got just about the perfect gig.

JR's to do list-

Fly supersonic turbine toy to air show
Fly supersonic turbine toy in air show
Park supersonic turbine toy and talk to cool fighter pilots, fun airshow fans, and cute girls in bikini tops and shorts that cover only what's legally necessary
Fly supersonic turbine toy home
Play with air traffic controllers by requesting clearance to descend to 50k feet along the way
Put supersonic turbine toy in the shop for routine maintenance
Log onto F-16.net to see what's up in the world that really matters

Of course I'm just kidding JR, but I can't help myself. Mr. Green

I'm just jealous! I hope you can continue to expand your schedule - you keep memories alive just as much as the Commemorative Air Force. I feel comfortable saying that if you keep flying, we'll keep going out to the airshows to see you! Very Happy

Hmm last Air show at Shaw those Super sonic Turbine toys were broke, and didn’t fly, big bummer. I used to be on a Demo team, and worked the TA line, I love Air show duty. The best part is you get to wander and look at all the cool aircraft before the Civilians arrive and get in the way of your pictures. *L* Since I get to see the Front line stuff on a pretty routine bases I love seeing the old war birds. The part about the Eye candy is spot on. Matter of fact there are some real Nice Zipper photos out there that Um have some nice EYE Candy draped all over them. Anyway usually you get free Food & Beer for Air show duty (what more could you want) and get to go to some nice places, so it’s an all around good time. Got lots of cool patches and T-shirts too. And being a Crew Dog it’s nice to hang with other Crew dogs from time to time. Especially if you have time on that aircraft too.

Funny ( warning off color "humor" ) story told to me by a B-52 guy of some fame.

Airshow display duty B-52-

--- Old oriental lady walks up to pilot and says: " I remember when those came over and bombed my town"...

--- Pilot: "Oh really? Where was that ma'am"?

--- Lady: "Japan."

--- Pilot: "Oh no ma'am, you must mean the B-29... this is the B-52......"

Same airshow.....

--- Different..... old oriental lady walks up to pilot and says: " I remember when those came over and bombed my town"...

--- Pilot: "Oh really? Where was that ma'am"?

--- Lady: "Vietnam."

--- Pilot: "Yes ma'am.... ( and then goes on to explain the different models of the aircraft ( stressing that it wasn't an H model that was doing Nam work )

Quote:

Funny ( warning off color "humor" )

Seems that kind of humor is enjoyed the most by a great number of flight line personel - including me.....

Quote:

( and then goes on to explain the different models of the aircraft ( stressing that it wasn't an H model that was doing Nam work )

Sounds like a tall tail to me..... <groan>

Got a better joke, while fueling up a C-12 the pilot comes over and looks at all the assorted aircraft parked on the TA ramp and asks me if this is a Composite wing? I say no sir its Aluminum!!!!

Thanks guys, please keep 'em comin'! Cool

I suppose my favorite is when I am asked if the wing tanks are bombs. I always say they are and BIG ones too!

Then there was the story I heard of an airshow in Florida (Tampa?) where a guy was demonstrating his "knowledge" of how to open an F-15 canopy and pulled the exterior emergency jettison lanyard. Yes, he was drunk, and no he wasn't a crew chief.

JMC

You're such a goofball Eagle! Laughing

I'd love to see their faces when you tell them that and I'd love to know how the guys who know better keep from collapsing with laughter when they hear you do it!

As for the drunk dumb***, I know he was drunk, but what a DUMB***!! What was his job and what happened to him? How much does that cost to fix?

Thanx for the reply!

Oh, I don't know how true the story was, I heard it when I was at Eglin in 87. Seems like the guy was supposedly ex-Air Force.

A sad story for the you never know department, I was at the airshow at Edwards with my boys (busmans holiday!), and talked briefly with our British exchange pilot-he was having to do his turn at static. I thought about teasing him by having him sign the program, but figured I would get it sometime after the show. A week later he was dead after a mid-air with an F-16 over the range. Sad, taught me to not wait to tell your friends how you feel, particularly in the aviation biz.

JMC

Eagle21 wrote:

I suppose my favorite is when I am asked if the wing tanks are bombs. I always say they are and BIG ones too!

Then there was the story I heard of an airshow in Florida (Tampa?) where a guy was demonstrating his "knowledge" of how to open an F-15 canopy and pulled the exterior emergency jettison lanyard. Yes, he was drunk, and no he wasn't a crew chief.

JMC

Yeah but did he stand the required distance when pulling? Very Happy

Well as a civi going to an airshow always makes my year although has anyone ever seen an F-16 pilot with his jet at the Royal International Air Tattoo? Every year RIAT is a wash with F-16's row after row but you never see crew around. Perhaps it's just me but surely an f-16 pilot would want to be seen next to a sexy f-16 or am I wrong?

regards, steve.

Forum: Careers & Assignments

Airshow duty