Skywatch: Jet flight a “D-ticket” ride
Skywatch: Jet flight a “D-ticket” ride
By: Dale Hawkins
Topics:
Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 642 times
0 responses 0 comments Aviation watch — I got to fly a jet!
In this column I've tried to encourage my readers to spend more time looking at the sky and less time studying their shoes. For the first time, I had the pleasure of asking my readers to look up at me! I had the rare privilege of flying in the lead plane of the flight-of-three that buzzed Tehachapi last Wednesday as part of our Independence Day celebration. As an aviator, I've had the opportunity to fly quite a few different aircraft — the CAP 10 stunt plane in which I learned aerobatics, the Jetstream 41 twin-engine turboprop as an airline pilot, and even a Navy P-3 Orion (which, from the cockpit, is the same as a C-130 Hercules) as a Coast Guardsman. However, this was my first chance to fly in a high-performance jet — in formation, no less.
The jets and their crews comprise the Thunder Delphins Demonstration Team. Lead by retired Air Force Captain Doug Gilliss, the Thunder Delfins tour throughout Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada, providing thrilling shows and rides for anyone who will pay for their gas (no small matter for jets!). Their time is donated to the sharing of the thrill of aviation.
Three of their four jets were available for their Tehachapi appearance and were all flown by retired Air Force pilots. In addition to Captain Gilliss were Colonel Elias “Cas” Cassillas and Lieutenant Colonel Don Goodin.
This year, the tab for their appearance over Tehachapi was picked up by the City of Tehachapi.
The L-29 jet is a military trainer built from 1963 to 1974 by the Aero aircraft company of the Czech Republic. It was the primary military jet trainer for the Warsaw Pact countries, including the Soviet Union, throughout the Cold War. Its simplicity allowed military pilots to begin their training in jets, sidestepping the traditional initial training with propeller aircraft (which the U.S. Air Force still does). The L-29 is built to carry bombs and rockets, allowing pilots to go from first flight through ground attack training in the same aircraft.
The L-29 is also a true warbird. Since it can carry ordinance, Egypt sent the L-29 into combat against Israeli tanks in the Yom Kippur War of 1973. It has also served in a reconnaissance role. The L-29 is still on active duty with a number of the world's air forces.
As air forces upgraded to the L-39, a significant number of retiring L-29s have been purchased by Americans. One of the Thunder Delphins has a beautiful eagle painted on it. In the eagle's mouth is a ribbon with the inscription “Cold War Booty.”
As a “Cold Warrior” myself, it nearly brought a tear to my eye. (I too have a bit of Cold War booty — a Soviet naval officer's “ushanka,” the stereotypical Russian cold weather hat; perfect for Tehachapi's coldest days.)
What was it like to fly the L-29? In only two words, smooth and powerful. I can see why jet jocks never go back. The aircraft is quite heavy for a single-engine airplane, and thus crushes bumps in the air that would give a Cessna a pretty good jolt. In the headline, I called it a “D-ticket ride” because it was so smooth. (For the youngsters that don't understand this reference to “tickets,” it comes from the time when visitors to Disneyland were issued a booklet of tickets for the various rides lettered from A to E. An “A-ticket-ride” a toddler could handle, whereas an “E-ticket ride” was only for the most adventurous.) If you want an E-ticket airplane ride, try aerobatics — or a Cessna 172 in moderate turbulence!
After we landed, Captain Gilliss shook my hand and said, “You are now a jet pilot,” and signed an entry in my log book. It's the little triumphs in life that really add up!
For more information on the Thunder Delfins, visit www.thunderdelfins.com.
Night Sky Watch
With a new moon this weekend, the evening skies will be dark with clear weather forecast for the entire week.
Venus is still the most dazzling object in the evening sky and reaches its maximum brightness on Thursday. Saturn is nearby, with Jupiter rising in the east and Milky Way stretching across the sky.
Sunrise/Sunset (PDT)
5:49 AM/8:10 PM
Some More L29 Jet Facts
• Each of the Thunderdelfins have changed only their altimeter and speed indicators from metric kilometers to reflect feet and miles per hour.
• The planes fly an average of 510 mph.
• The jets carry 262 pounds of fuel in the wings on average — equal to 1,572 pounds of fuel.
• The jets burn approximately150 gallons of fuel an hour depending on altitude, speed and other factors.
• Jet A fuel was $3.99 per gallon at Tehachapi Airport on July 4.
| Send to a Friend | Report a Violation |
