Fat Albert Ride - the extended version
When I first learned that NYCAviation was going to be able to get on board Fat Albert in San Francisco, I started searching YouTube videos to get a feel for what we were in for. Having a fairly weak stomach I concluded after watching a handful of the videos that I was, well, screwed. Several months later I found myself, along with our other west coast NYC correspondent David Lilienthal, getting badged at SFO and feeling the anxiety rise in the pit of my stomach. I don’t know about Dave, but I came prepared: I had a plastic shopping bag in my front left pocket and a small paper bag in each back pocket for overflow. After getting our clearance from security we were driven out to the flight line, where the golden and blue aircraft were parked in the lovely California sun. We had expected to have some time to chat the flight crew up, grab some sound bites and take our time grabbing some static shots. Unfortunately that’s not how it happened. Despite being on time the crew was already briefing when we arrived, and the public affairs officer shoved a handful of forms into our hands to sign – most of which meant that we wouldn’t sue the government if our cameras broke or we died in a fiery crash. We were then rushed out planeside where we were met by one of the crew members who gave us a quick safety and familiarization briefing, told us to have fun, and then gave us nice little air force issue sick bags. “Score.”, I thought as I shoved them into my front right pocket...
A few minutes later with the final preparations completed on big “Bert” (as the crew likes to call him), we began to board the plane. I was very lucky to have been seated on the flight deck, and Dave arguably even luckier got to climb that nifty ladder, straddle a metal bar, and stare with glee out the famous bubble. Our crew began to go through their checklist, audible on my head set, with a level of excitement and drama that only the Blues can provide (if you’ve ever listened to the Blues on the radio at a show you know what I’m talking about). As the four Allison engines roared to life I checked my gear, did some light tests, and settled in for the ride.
Sitting on the runway we waited a few moments for clearance from the tower, then the crew let the brakes go and we started rolling – fast. By the time I realized the gear were up our Capt, Maj. Hess, pulled back on the stick and sent us rocketing skyward. Dave, back in the bubble, got a good visual reference of just how steep our climb was, and after seeing the pics later I was thoroughly impressed. That first zero-G moment as we nosed over (and all the rest to follow) had everyone on the flight deck smiling, laughing, and about four inches out of their seats. Before starting our routine we were put in a holding pattern thanks to Sean Tucker working his magic in the box ahead of us. While waiting they opened the cargo doors in back to keep air flowing and get in some photo ops for the folks in back. Then, with a violent pitch to the left we steamed into the airspace and the got the show started!
The rest of the flight was honestly a bit of a blur. I know we hit speeds in excess of 350mph, a lot of banks as crazy as 60 degrees, and got down as little as 50 feet above the water. Photos confirm that looking up at Alcatraz while blowing by it, buzzing Fort Mason at a few hundred feet, and gazing upon the San Francisco bay bridges did in fact happen, and was not me imagining it. Listening to the chatter of the crew, the airboss, and the tower was an absolute treat, something I wish NYC was able to get an audio recording of. I’ll let Dave chime in on his experience more specifically, but needless to say I thought it was one hell of a ride.
Post-flight we had a quick opportunity to grab some statics and get a group shot with the ever professional and gracious flight crew. We thanked them for the amazing ride and headed back to the hangar, all smiles and slightly wobbly legs. An hour later at In & Out I was trying to coax my stomach, which while never returning my breakfast to me was not exactly pleased with the ride, to take down a cheeseburger. It took me thirty minutes to get it all down the hatch, after which I reached into my pocket and rediscovered two authentic Blue Angels sick bags, and placed them into my camera bag – unused.
There were a lot of photos that didn’t make the cut for the front page, and Dave & I wanted to make sure you all saw them – so here they are, the rest of the show:
Here's my pics:
The inside of the plane before getting seated:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jerslice356/49.jpg
Pre flight checks under way!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jerslice356/46.jpg
And we're rolling!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jerslice356/45.jpg
Doing laps around the city before getting under way:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jerslice356/48.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jerslice356/38.jpg
Barreling into the flight box, with Alcatraz dead ahead of us:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jerslice356/43.jpg
Pitching left by the Golden Gate to line up our dirty pass along the flight line:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jerslice356/44.jpg
Flight commander "Eddie" checks for the visual reference point during a heavy bank:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jerslice356/18.jpg
Breaking over the field, with the United Maintenance hanger below us:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jerslice356/3.jpg
Easily the highlight shot for me as we dive bomb 28R during the tactical approach. Something else!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96...ice356/1-1.jpg
After the show
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jerslice356/47.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96...6/DPP_3417.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96...6/DPP_3451.jpg
