We'd like to take a moment to honor the veterans today, whose service and sacrifice have kept us safe, and given us the freedom and opportunity to follow our dreams and make them (virtual) reality. Thank You!
Watch us fly the complete U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds air show routine.
Live stream recordings often have some lag. This video uses each pilot's own recording in the simulator, thus providing for a smoother playback than you'd see through a live stream. The flying was recorded and edited using our performances December 5, 6 & 7, 2012 and later merged with an updated songs list and narration to more closely match what you'd hear if you went to an air show performed by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during the 2014 season. This is the way the show is meant to be heard and seen!
The presentation matches the timing, coordination and choreography of the demo very closely as seen in any of our live stream replays. And yes, we skipped the ground show and cut right to the action instead and added a few new camera angles, too. Enjoy!
Flying performed by: VTB1 Kris "Lawndart" Langdell VTB2 Randy "Tailhook" Thom VTB3 Rick "Ray" Charles VTB4 Tab "Redeye" Harris VTB5 Stephanie "Panther" Lessentine VTB6 Tom "Teej" Kopp
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS VIII HERO, i7 6700k, G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB, 980TI 6GB G1 OC, Obutto oZone, Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog, CH Pro Pedals, NP TrackIR5, ***Soon*** Oculus Rift
I-7 4770K @ 4.5 Ghz, EVGA 980ti 6Gb SC,Corsair H110 water cooler, Asus Maximus VI Hero, EVGA Supernova 1000 watt power supply, Team Extreme LV 16 Gb ram @2100 MHz, Four Samsung Evo solid state drives, Windows 10.
“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the day and night to visit violence on those who would do us harm”.
yeah, I got the message on Youtube, however Encore HD has been airing Remember the Titans left and right, and I ended up hearing the music while watching that.
HAF922, Corsair RM850, ASRock Fata1ity 990FX Pro, Modified Corsair H100, AMD FX8350 @ 5.31GHz, 16GB G.SKILL@DDR2133, 2x R7970 Lightnings, +1 HD7950 @ 1.1/6.0GHz, Creative XFi Fata1ity Platinum Champ., 3x ASUS VS248HP + Hanns�G HZ201HPB + Acer AL2002 (5760x1080+1600x900+1680x1050), Oculus Rift CV CH Fighterstick, Pro Throt., Pro Pedals, TM Warthog & MFDs, Fanatec CSR Wheel/Shifter, Elite Pedals Intensity Pro 10-Bit, TrackIR 4 Pro, WD Black 1.5TB, WD Black 640GB, Samsung 850 500GB, My Book 4TB
Thanks all! It's incredibly rewarding when all of our time practicing culminates in a great show. Reminded me of these interview questions I / the VTB answered for an article on CombatACE website.
What inspired you to become a Virtual Thunderbird?
I'd have to say the 'Smoke On' movie in 2006 is what did it for me. I thought "They are awesome! I'd like to fly with a team like that some day." I've been flying flight simulators since about '95 - and have always enjoyed formation flying, with the AI or other players. I thought that it would be a lot of fun and a challenge to try and fly the various maneuvers of the Thunderbirds in an online simulator.
A few years went by and real life kept me busy enough that I would not have been able to dedicate the time required to fly with the team. When I had more free time, I was excited to see them recruiting in 2009 so I began attending try out flights a few times a week while getting to know the team. That lasted for a few months and then I was selected in Sept. Have really enjoyed the flying, teamwork and camaraderie.
What do you like about being a Virtual Thunderbird?
I really enjoy the teamwork and the flying. The concentration and raw skill required to perform this type of flying is incredible - it is without a doubt the most challenging thing I've ever done. I'm an ATP rated airline pilot in real life and excelling at this type of flying is much more difficult than any real world flying I've experienced.
I enjoy that challenge, and after flying the show, being able to watch via replay of the track, the aerial art we all just created. To see it all come together in a near perfect performance is really something else, extremely rewarding. There are so many things that each of us has to do just right during the show for it all to work out, and I believe it's that constant pursuit of flying that perfect show that really fuels the fire.
Also, each of us has our own difficulties with various maneuvers, and to see the improvement in ourselves and our team mates as we progress in the season is a great feeling as well. It's just a very enjoyable hobby, there's nothing else like it.
What is your most memorable moment of being Virtual Thunderbird?
I'd have to say flying my first "live show" - which was our VFAT 2009 performance. It was a mix of nerves and excitement. Once Boss called for brakes release and we began rolling I thought to myself "there's no turning back now! Just relax and fly like I've trained". When I heard the excitement in our radio calls, I knew we had a good one going. A few minutes went by and the nerves subsided and I felt very relaxed on the wing, staying locked in and just working through each maneuver one at a time. Before long we were setting up for the Delta Blue Out Pitch and then on the ground taxiing in. It was a great feeling, very rewarding - all the hard work and practice had paid off!
Do you have any comments for your fans out there?
Thanks for your support over the years! We enjoy performing for our fans.
Also, practice practice and more practice, if you're struggling to learn to fly formation. It takes quite a lot of time to perfect those skills and build the muscle memory required to fly tight formation.
It's definitely been a fun hobby / passtime / Passion.
One interesting thing for me has been after about 30 years of MSFS, Falcon, DCS and others, I've finally started taking flight lessons this fall. My CFI has remarked several times "I groaned when I found out you were another one of those flight sim guys....but you're the first one I've seen who keeps their eyes out in the world - all the others I've had just stared at the instruments."
Nice photo kit, Dave. I shoot a D700 myself. Been shooting a lot of youth sports / mud runs / etc as a side gig.
Thanks, I was looking at the D700 when I was shopping for the 7100, but since my Bigma needing replacing I needed to save for that. I have a lot of fun shooting my kids sports, oldest is in Lax during the spring and then football in the fall. Just wish the hobby paid more. Tried shooting pics of other kids and posting them on our team page but everyone wants their stuff for free...
