Memorial Day '09 Fly-over video

[bluehawk15]

This was taken on the last of three fly-overs we did on this part of the mission on Memorial Day. One mission, three targets. About an hour and a half of flying before landing, having lunch with the sponsors of the Temple event, then changing out lead and #4 positions for the return flight over Austin and down Congress Ave. Had to switch leads because the U-11 had two good working radios!

Four passes over this target. First approach is an echelon right, with a one second break over target. Rejoin in trail for pass #2. Go to diamond for 3rd pass, then to strong right fingertip four to set up for the missing man. Video shot from the #4 aircraft (U-11A).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRrZoTuO0qg

[bluehawk15]

It was difficult flying on this day. We had flown three missions on three previous days, with low overcast ceilings and rain. The blue stuff above us was a distraction!

In the Video, lead is Joe Enzminger in his CJ-6A, #2 is Grant Lannon in Rich Ferguson's SNJ-4, #3 is Terry Adams in his SNJ, and me in the U-11.

[Holedigger]

Nice vid. Looks like it was a very nice day to be flying.

[bluehawk15]

You might notice, after the one-second break out of the right echelon, when we rejoin in-trail, that I seem to be over to the right of center a bit. I forgot to correct for not being in a tandem seated plane. From my point of view, I was in line! Then I remembered that I was in the U-11, with side-by-side seating, so I had to shift over to the left a little. My viewpoint was looking down the left side of #3's fuselage. It looked, to me, like I was out of position, but that was because I wasn't sitting on the centerline. The plane was actually in position, as seen from below. It's difficult flying with the slower planes as my controls are not as responsive with a speed that's about 45 mph below the normal cruise.

But it's still fun!