As Of 6/18/2005:

USAF THUNDERBIRDS APPOINT FIRST FEMALE PILOT}
Finally today, for the first time in its 52-year history, the
USAF Thunderbirds has selected a female pilot to join its team.
Capt. Nicole Malachowski, of the 494th Fighter Squadron at Royal
Air Force Lakenheath, England, joins the team as the first female
demonstration
pilot on any U.S. military high performance jet team. Since 1953,
the Thunderbirds have flown for more than 310 million people
at nearly 4000 air demonstrations in all 50 states and more than
60 foreign countries.

I'll bet she flies slot position.


That was totally uncalled for, but just couldn't resist.

I hope she flies solo!

It might be pretty slick, with her in the group. Studies have shown that women can withstand higher g's than men, and their reaction times are better. Heck, let's just get an all-female T-Bird team. They could probably get a lot closer formation going than the Blue Angels can. They'll have to get a C-17 support craft, and call it "Pleasantly Plump Alberta"

Back in 2002 the Snowbirds had a chick in the #3 position. You can say what you want about the Tudor vs the F-16, but no American team flys a NINE plane formation demonstration. Just thinking about it gives me the willies.



With that said, ANYONE who does this kind of stuff has my respect.

I want her phone number.

Is she married.............?

Dan767,
I'm sure she'll do well. I have met many female USAF pilots; they are great. My son is a F-16 Fighter Pilot in the 23rd FS. Hey, he's single and available. Nicole could be my future daughter in law? Nagghhhhh!

"Keep 'Em Flying!"
Flak

How old is her mother......inquiring old foggies want to know

Jerry

Heck, let's just get an all-female T-Bird team. They could probably get a lot closer formation going than the Blue Angels can. They'll have to get a C-17 support craft, and call it "Pleasantly Plump Alberta"

The T birds have never flown as close as the Blues. I doubt they will change how things are done any time soon. As a retired Naval Aviator I have the most respect for the sheer quality of formation flying that the Snowbirds display. I tought formation flying to new guys and I always enjoyed the dynamics that are part of the requirements of formation flying. If I could ever be a member of any of the military precison flight teams I would want to be a Snowbird and fly the last guy out at the tip of the formations.
Sparky

"The T birds have never flown as close as the Blues. I doubt they will change how things are done any time soon. As a retired Naval Aviator"

You are Prejudiced

Jerry

He's right, though(elmshoot). I'm ex-USAF, have seen the 'Birds and 'Angels both several times, and the Angels could almost fly their entire diamond between the spaces the T-Birds leave between themselves.

But I've seen a KC-10 do a max perf takeoff that blows away Fat Albert's JATO launch. Not as fiery, but a lot more vertical, and further, too.

I enjoy watching the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. But one thing I've noticed, as the Blue Angles fly their tight formations, they seem to take longer turns to get back to show center. There are times during the show when you begin to wonder, "Where are they?". I think the Thunderbirds do a better job of keeping show center busy. I'm not trying to be a smart alec. I appreciate the skill needed to fly formation. Just an observation from Joe Schmo at the air show. [&:]

Hey,
Thunderbirds or Blue Angels...They're America's Team...Our Team...The very best America's military has to offer. I am damn proud of both of them. I admire anyone, (including my son) who has the guts to get in a F-16 or F-18, (or whatever) and meet the challenge of being a fighter pilot! Any young person who has the guts and ambition to dawn the uniform of our Armed Forces, (no matter what their capacity) deserves our support and appreciation. Thank you ladies and gentlemen, no matter what branch of service you are in.

The Two teams "Thunderbirds" and "Blue Angels" have different criteria. The two branches, "U.S. Air Force" and "U.S. Navy/Marine Corps" have different regulations on how aircraft should be flown. This is clearly demonstrated when the two teams perform. Both teams put on a great show. I won't get into the Men vs Women trap. However, I believe if a woman meets or exceeds the required standard, they should be allowed to be whatever they wish. I don't believe the standards should be different. I have been to war with women and they did just fine. Flying a fighter jet plane is tough, physical, demanding work. It's not a cake walk. I'm sure Captain Malachowski will fare well. She will be a great inspiration to other young women who want to achieve future goals. Enough said!

"Keep 'Em Flying!"
Flak

I totally agree with your post. In addition to the above excerpt, I'd add that the locale of the show also dictates what they will do in terms of 'stunts' and also how they're done. When the 'Birds or Angels evaluate the airspace they will be using, they look very hard at the ground beneath it and what occupies it. Populated areas limit how extreme they will perform, and they require "safe" corridors into and out of the airfield's airspace where most of the extreme maneuvers take place.

I can't really say I like one team over the other. I'm ex-USAF, so I'd want to lean that way, but over the years, with all the different aircraft types they have used, either one is a thrill to watch. My first Blue Angel performance, they were flying F-11F Tigers, my favorite is either the A-4 or the Phantom. My favorite T-Bird plane is probably the F-16, but the T-38 was a good one, too.

I totally agree with your post. In addition to the above excerpt, I'd add that the locale of the show also dictates what they will do in terms of 'stunts' and also how they're done. When the 'Birds or Angels evaluate the airspace they will be using, they look very hard at the ground beneath it and what occupies it. Populated areas limit how extreme they will perform, and they require "safe" corridors into and out of the airfield's airspace where most of the extreme maneuvers take place.

I can't really say I like one team over the other. I'm ex-USAF, so I'd want to lean that way, but over the years, with all the different aircraft types they have used, either one is a thrill to watch. My first Blue Angel performance, they were flying F-11F Tigers, my favorite is either the A-4 or the Phantom. My favorite T-Bird plane is probably the F-16, but the T-38 was a good one, too.

By the way, the F-4 Phantom II is the only plane that has been used by both teams. It may not be the most aerobatic, of any of the planes ever used, but I'll guarantee it was the loudest.

For the record, I love both teams myself. And as I tried to state in my previous post, I'm not trying to be a smart alec. Just making an observation. The Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, and Snow Birds typically alternate years appearing at the Dayton Air Show. In 2003 I got to see all three teams the same day. Since Dayton is the birthplace of the Wright Brothers, the 2003 show was special - celebrating the 100th anniversary of flight. So I got to the see the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds perform the same day, same location, and same weather conditions. I'm not trying to say one team is better than the other. Which ever team performs on a given year, I look forward to seeing them. I'm just making an observation about their styles of flying.

Truth be told though, I prefer to watch the Sean Tuckers and Jim Leroys of the world. And my heart still aches for Jimmy Franklin and Bobby Younkin. These guys can/could tear the sky from one end of the runway to the other. The action is non stop. No waiting for someone to fly out to Indiana to turn around!

Sorry for the double post above. As close as they all get, it will eventually bite somebody. I hate Jimmy and his teammate had their mishap. Never got to see them perform. Here' another one that almost got too close. Look at the space between Mancuso's elevator and Chapmans landing gear: sorry also for getting off subject.

That's close! I'm happy to see them in the air one at time.

I saw the T-birds fly in the T38's at Lunken Airport during the late seventies. I remember feeling a little disappointed that they weren't in full fledged fighters. But looking back, they really were a treat. And when the show was over, the crowd was allowed to walk around the planes and talk with the pilots. At Dayton they keep the Thunderbird jets away from the crowd. I guess I can't blame them - with the size of the crowd. But I guess that's what's special about smaller air shows.