Forum: General F-22A Raptor forum

Hey there guys! I feel lucky to have seen the Raptor at Aviation Nation 2004 out here at Nellis in November Very Happy

. I understand the need for security, especially this early into the jet's development, but I wish we could've seen some more of its agility in the air Wink

. The static display jet was very cool, as was the way they had the demo pilot taxi down the crowd line (I was amazed at how quiet it was compared to the Eagle and Viper), but all it did in the air was some rather high altitude (by airshow standards) flat passes and all turns were kept wide and far away from all the cameras in the crowd. I must admit that the takeoff was awesome - very low to the ground in full burner, but I just wish we could've seen a zoom climb at the end of the runway Cool

!

Like I said, I understand the need for security, but does anyone have an idea as to when we could see some yankin' and bankin' and turnin' and burnin' down low at an airshow like the Viper, Eagle, Hornet, and Tomcat do to thrill us? Thanks in advance!

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Unless the recent crash was pilot error I don't think they are going to do any thing fancy until they have double digit thousands of feet to recover whatever happens...

They'll probably let the Raptor go nuts in airshows after its been in service for a few years.

Wow! that's what I call quick response! Thanks guys!

Lamoey, I hear what you're saying, but I don't think it was too serious of a problem (I know we lost a jet) because they sent 'em back up recently.

Sniper69, first off, Welcome to F-16.net!!! That's pretty much what I had figured. I remember when the F-117 went public and they wouldn't let you within about fifty feet of it. I also remember the two rope lines, armed guards, and "DEADLY FORCE AUTHORIZED" signs those first few years. Forget about seeing one fly back then! Of course it's pretty common now, so I think we'll see some good Raptor action before too long. Any idea when they'll actually be considered "in service?"

Thanks parrothead,

I know that the Raptor is supposed to become operational sometime this year, and according to an issue of Combat Aircraft ( i cant remember the issue number sry) they said its first deployment was possible for late 2005 early 2006. As far as when they will let it stupify us in airshows, id say maybe 2006-2007, but thats just a guess. I havent seen an F-117 up close but i remember seeing a B-2 flyover at an airshow in my hometown in the summer of 2001. THAT was cool. Cool

Yeah, the B-2 is definitely cool! I can't wait to see the Raptor down low with the burners lit and facing right at me - I like to feel the sound!!! Come to think of it, that's probably why my girlfirend (who's never been to an airshow) thinks I have the radio up too loud Laughing

!!! If you get the chance to see the Nighthawk up close, you'll see something really interesting - the coatings on the cockpit glass cause an interesting rainbow reflection. Let me know if you get to see the back of the jet 'cause they've been pretty darn defensive of it lately.

Thanks for all the info and have fun!

They've been darn defensive of it because of all the stealth and anti-IR steal features they put in they dont want anyone to see, the window thing sounds cool, if anybody decides to bring one to the airshows in Mass id like to go to thats be sweet, who knows maybe they'll have a Raptor escort it.... Cool

*anti-IR stealth, i can spell i swear.....

I know why they've been so defensive of it, but it's kind of funny to me that the first year at Miramar they had the F-117 in a hangar and had A SET OF AIRSTAIRS setup behind the jet so that people COULD GET A GOOD LOOK AND GOOD PICTURES OF THE BACK END!!! They were also extremely defensive of the Raptors on the ground at Nellis. They wouldn't let you take any pictures of the ones that were just past the end of the crowd line, even though they were pretty close. I still think they should've been a bit more careful about where they put them, like maybe parking them in a hangar if they didn't want pictures that might show open panels. I got a couple of pics before the guards told us to stop, so I consider myself lucky!

If you want to see a Nighthawk or Raptor, come on out to Nellis in November! It's a great show that still has that "hometown" feel to it - no charge for the few bleacher seats, some aircraft without ropes, just the way I remember the good old days at Miramar!

Consider yourself very lucky! I think it will take ages before I see a Raptor, except if I travel to the US. We would like to see more American jets during airshows in Europe.

That is a sweet pic. I'd love to see a show at nellis but unfortunatley I dont have the dinero to get me down there. Maybe in a few years.

phil, I do consider my self VERY lucky!!! I'd love to see more European aircraft at airshows here in America! So far, the only ones I've seen have been a Tornado and a Jaguar at Miramar. If you count privately owned aircraft, I've also seen MiG-15s, 17s, 19s, and even a two seat 21, an L-29 and 39, a Strikemaster, and even a Kfir. I'd still like to get a good look at some modern Russian, British, and French hardware!

Sniper69, thanks for the complement. habu, another member here, was there and I got to meet him. He had a much better camera and I suspect he got plenty of great pics, too! If you want to get down here, November is the off season, so there are plenty of really cheap flights and hotel rooms Very Happy

! I hope you get the chance sooner rather than later!

If only they could show off some thrust-vectoring maneuvers...like the Cobra!

The Russians display their SU-35/37s by doing all sorts of aerial stunts.

Parrothead...I've been to the Miramar airshow twice....they had the F-117 cordoned off. Wish I could've gotten a close up view(it's my favorite plane)

Shaba, you never could get too close to the 117 at Miramar. I'm sorry I didn't get any pics at Nellis - it was almost close enough to touch! They had it cordoned off with armed guards, but it was only about ten or fifteen feet from the rope line! I'll try to get some pics next time I get up close.

Maybe I'll be able to go down in a year or so, that would be nice, plus im of legal age to go to the casinos in Vegas the night before and pay my way back home... Cool

lol...

Forum: General F-22A Raptor forum

F/A-22 Raptors at Airshows