[sci.military] Aircraft Performance in Airshows

gardiner@umn-cs.CS.UMN.EDU (David Gardiner) (07/05/89)

From: gardiner@umn-cs.CS.UMN.EDU (David Gardiner)
Having watched the Blue Angels, the Thunderbirds, and a solo F-16
performance, I have wondered how the performance in those 
shows compares to what the aircraft are really capable of.  For example,
when one of the Thunderbirds takes off and goes straight up, is the
pilot using 100% of available power? 80%?  50%?  The same goes for
turning and other maneuvers.  Obviously, formation flying shows more
pilot skill than aircraft performance.  I am talking about the solo 
aircraft.

David Gardiner