Comments on: Fleet of ear http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:42:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dave http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21903 Dave Sat, 15 Dec 2007 06:50:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21903 http://break.com/index/blue-angels-really-low-flyby.html http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/speed/awesome-jet-streaks-by-creates-vapor-cone-310829.php?autoplay=true http://break.com/index/blue-angels-really-low-flyby.html
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/speed/awesome-jet-streaks-by-creates-vapor-cone-310829.php?autoplay=true

]]> By: F-18 Hornet http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21902 F-18 Hornet Fri, 08 Dec 2006 13:32:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21902 Here's the best video I've seen of a F/A-18F Super Hornet flight demonstration (interesting physics too): http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6017342022780502321 which is also at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBuIidllusc And here's a link to awesome photo gallery of transonic F/A-18 Hornet fighterjets, including one image of a low-flying and near Mach 1 Blue Angels F/A-18 jet: http://chamorrobible.org/gpw/gpw-20061112.htm Here’s the best video I’ve seen of a F/A-18F Super Hornet flight demonstration (interesting physics too): http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6017342022780502321 which is also at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBuIidllusc

And here’s a link to awesome photo gallery of transonic F/A-18 Hornet fighterjets, including one image of a low-flying and near Mach 1 Blue Angels F/A-18 jet: http://chamorrobible.org/gpw/gpw-20061112.htm

]]> By: A Babe in the Universe http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21878 A Babe in the Universe Wed, 11 Oct 2006 16:56:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21878 It was very nice seeing you in SF. I hope you keep up the good work with GLAST. I managed to get a couple of good photos, including one deep-focus shot of four F/A-18's at rooftop level with the Powell Street sign in the foreground. It is on Tuesday's blog. It was very nice seeing you in SF. I hope you keep up the good work with GLAST. I managed to get a couple of good photos, including one deep-focus shot of four F/A-18′s at rooftop level with the Powell Street sign in the foreground. It is on Tuesday’s blog.

]]> By: did http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21877 did Tue, 10 Oct 2006 19:22:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21877 I work not far from a small airport where there's an annual air show; every other year, they get the Blue Angels. I guess 3 years ago, I was driving home along the airport road with my sunroof open when one of them passed directly overhead, at about treetop level, with afterburners going. My car had a failing muffler, so I didn't hear the approach at all, but, DAYUM, when they're pointed away from you, jeez! My hair is only just beginning to stand down! We also occasionally get A-10s checking out bikinis on the Lake Michigan beaches. It's pretty obvious when they're dipping their beach-side wing! Sometimes it's good to fly slow, I guess. did I work not far from a small airport where there’s an annual air show; every other year, they get the Blue Angels. I guess 3 years ago, I was driving home along the airport road with my sunroof open when one of them passed directly overhead, at about treetop level, with afterburners going. My car had a failing muffler, so I didn’t hear the approach at all, but, DAYUM, when they’re pointed away from you, jeez! My hair is only just beginning to stand down!

We also occasionally get A-10s checking out bikinis on the Lake Michigan beaches. It’s pretty obvious when they’re dipping their beach-side wing! Sometimes it’s good to fly slow, I guess.

did

]]> By: Prowler67 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21879 Prowler67 Tue, 10 Oct 2006 19:22:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21879 I was stationed at NAS Pensacola while in the navy. Had one of the blue angels fly over doing about 400kts about 500ft off the ground. Talk about a cool sight. They practiced alot, so we saw them all the time, never gets boring. Wanna talk about loud? Stand 30ft from an EA-6B at full throttle right before a catapult launch. I was stationed at NAS Pensacola while in the navy. Had one of the blue angels fly over doing about 400kts about 500ft off the ground. Talk about a cool sight. They practiced alot, so we saw them all the time, never gets boring. Wanna talk about loud? Stand 30ft from an EA-6B at full throttle right before a catapult launch.

]]> By: Nigel Depledge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21880 Nigel Depledge Tue, 10 Oct 2006 17:29:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21880 Hmmm ... well the loudest sounds I've known have been (a) being in the Pits Grandstand at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix in 1992 (also, the Red Arrows flew a display there, but were at least half a mile away, what with not being permitted to fly over the crowd); (b) in the departure lounge at Heathrow when Concorde was taking off just outside (four Rolls Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 engines on full reheat were LOUD!); (c) near the treble speakers at a Judas Priest concert (my ears were ringing for 2 or 3 days afterwards); (d) at a firepower demonstration, in which I got to see an A10 firing its Phalanx gun at an unwanted tank hulk that had been painted orange for the occasion; (e) having an RAF Tornado pass overhead at a height of about 200m at supersonic speed; but the loudest of all was (f) firing practice rounds for the Karl Gustav 84 mm medium antitank weapon in an Indoor Training Theatre (even with ear defenders on, it was really, really loud). Hmmm … well the loudest sounds I’ve known have been (a) being in the Pits Grandstand at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix in 1992 (also, the Red Arrows flew a display there, but were at least half a mile away, what with not being permitted to fly over the crowd); (b) in the departure lounge at Heathrow when Concorde was taking off just outside (four Rolls Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 engines on full reheat were LOUD!); (c) near the treble speakers at a Judas Priest concert (my ears were ringing for 2 or 3 days afterwards); (d) at a firepower demonstration, in which I got to see an A10 firing its Phalanx gun at an unwanted tank hulk that had been painted orange for the occasion; (e) having an RAF Tornado pass overhead at a height of about 200m at supersonic speed; but the loudest of all was (f) firing practice rounds for the Karl Gustav 84 mm medium antitank weapon in an Indoor Training Theatre (even with ear defenders on, it was really, really loud).

]]> By: Eli54 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21882 Eli54 Tue, 10 Oct 2006 15:43:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21882 The Thunderbirds fly over my house every year when they come to March. Way loud, even compared to the F-16s the Reserve flies over daily. But the F-16s wave occaisionally! The Thunderbirds fly over my house every year when they come to March. Way loud, even compared to the F-16s the Reserve flies over daily. But the F-16s wave occaisionally!

]]> By: Greg Fuchs http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21881 Greg Fuchs Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:38:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21881 O.K. Phil, now go down to your local big name dragstrip, stand at the 60 ft mark and record 2 top fuel dragsters coming off the line at full traction. The only sound phenomenon I've ever experienced that actually vibrated my eyeballs and made my vision blur. And I've been to some pretty impressive rock concerts! Greg O.K. Phil, now go down to your local big name dragstrip, stand at the 60 ft mark and record 2 top fuel dragsters coming off the line at full traction. The only sound phenomenon I’ve ever experienced that actually vibrated my eyeballs and made my vision blur. And I’ve been to some pretty impressive rock concerts!

Greg

]]> By: Kaptain K http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21885 Kaptain K Tue, 10 Oct 2006 11:52:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21885 Last month, a group of rich University of Texas alumni rented a restaurant rwo blocks from the UT football stadium for a "tailgate party" before the UT-Ohio State game. My brother's band (thebandhaywire.com) was hired to play. I went along as his "roadie". A squadron of F-16s did a flyover at the end of the national anthem. Fortunately, the band had finished playing by then. A seven piece band with a 10 KW sound system is no match for 4 f-16s on full afterburners 100 meters up! Last month, a group of rich University of Texas alumni rented a restaurant rwo blocks from the UT football stadium for a “tailgate party” before the UT-Ohio State game. My brother’s band (thebandhaywire.com) was hired to play. I went along as his “roadie”. A squadron of F-16s did a flyover at the end of the national anthem. Fortunately, the band had finished playing by then. A seven piece band with a 10 KW sound system is no match for 4 f-16s on full afterburners 100 meters up!

]]> By: Dunc http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21884 Dunc Tue, 10 Oct 2006 11:51:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21884 I can certainly imagine it too - the RAF used to do low-level practice right over my house. The worst thing is that you can't hear them coming... I can certainly imagine it too – the RAF used to do low-level practice right over my house. The worst thing is that you can’t hear them coming…

]]> By: Chaos http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21883 Chaos Tue, 10 Oct 2006 11:32:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21883 Actually, I *can* imagine what they sound like. I was at SF harbour when they did some unannounced (as far as I know) showing off last Thursday. Suddenly there was this HUGE roar, and the next thing we knew, four of these guys were flying right over our heads at maybe 100 ft of altitude. Actually, I *can* imagine what they sound like. I was at SF harbour when they did some unannounced (as far as I know) showing off last Thursday. Suddenly there was this HUGE roar, and the next thing we knew, four of these guys were flying right over our heads at maybe 100 ft of altitude.

]]> By: kingnor http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21886 kingnor Tue, 10 Oct 2006 03:19:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21886 I was on top of the parking structure right by fishermans warf, the A-10 was impressive also. such cool planes I was on top of the parking structure right by fishermans warf, the A-10 was impressive also. such cool planes

]]> By: The Ridger http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21887 The Ridger Tue, 10 Oct 2006 01:31:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21887 I am in San Francisco right now, and they are annoyingly loud and frequent. Though Mikey Weinstein did get some laughs when they crashed past while he was talking about evangelism at the Air Force Academy and the AF-Navy game that afternoon... I am in San Francisco right now, and they are annoyingly loud and frequent. Though Mikey Weinstein did get some laughs when they crashed past while he was talking about evangelism at the Air Force Academy and the AF-Navy game that afternoon…

]]> By: agesilaus http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21889 agesilaus Tue, 10 Oct 2006 01:00:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21889 Well I've been to several air shows and the F-15s are much much louder than any of the other planes. F-18's included. You whole body vibrates in harmony with the roar. But I'm not sure if I've heard a Tomcat tho. I suspect it would be F-15 like. Well I’ve been to several air shows and the F-15s are much much louder than any of the other planes. F-18′s included. You whole body vibrates in harmony with the roar. But I’m not sure if I’ve heard a Tomcat tho. I suspect it would be F-15 like.

]]> By: JadeGecko http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21891 JadeGecko Mon, 09 Oct 2006 23:53:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21891 In response to the Phantom bits, I'd say yeah, doing maneuvers in an F-4 is way gutsier, like dancing ballet in steel-toes. The hornet is all well and good, but it's comparing a butterfly to a hammer. When you see a butterfly flitter through the air, you say "oh, how beautiful." When you see a hammer fly past, you duck! :D In response to the Phantom bits, I’d say yeah, doing maneuvers in an F-4 is way gutsier, like dancing ballet in steel-toes. The hornet is all well and good, but it’s comparing a butterfly to a hammer. When you see a butterfly flitter through the air, you say “oh, how beautiful.” When you see a hammer fly past, you duck! :D

]]> By: Chip http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21890 Chip Mon, 09 Oct 2006 23:41:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21890 By the way, since the comments are temporarily closed on the blog thread after this one, and since the BA asked: Ants secrete formic acid. ;) By the way, since the comments are temporarily closed on the blog thread after this one, and since the BA asked: Ants secrete formic acid. ;)

]]> By: BMurray http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21888 BMurray Mon, 09 Oct 2006 23:16:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21888 Blue Angels, obviously. I got Phantoms on the brain now. Blue Angels, obviously. I got Phantoms on the brain now.

]]> By: BMurray http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21892 BMurray Mon, 09 Oct 2006 23:16:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21892 The last time I saw the Blue Phantoms perform they were flying F-4 Phantoms. I think doing aerial tricks in a Phantom is a lot gutsier, to be honest. The last time I saw the Blue Phantoms perform they were flying F-4 Phantoms. I think doing aerial tricks in a Phantom is a lot gutsier, to be honest.

]]> By: hale_bopp http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21894 hale_bopp Mon, 09 Oct 2006 22:24:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21894 I saw both the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds at different air shows (MacDill AFB in Tampa and and air show in Portland, Oregon). Amazing planes. I saw both the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds at different air shows (MacDill AFB in Tampa and and air show in Portland, Oregon). Amazing planes.

]]> By: The Bad Astronomer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21893 The Bad Astronomer Mon, 09 Oct 2006 22:16:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21893 The mike was just a cruddy old Sun microsystems mike that came with a Sparc server. I think the computer has long since crumbled into dust. :) The mike was just a cruddy old Sun microsystems mike that came with a Sparc server. I think the computer has long since crumbled into dust. :)

]]> By: PaleoProf http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21895 PaleoProf Mon, 09 Oct 2006 21:15:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21895 When I was in the Marine Drum Corps we used to go up and play fleet week every year. One of my favorite memories is sitting on the dock there on the Naval base on Treasure Island while the Blues did a practice run. They were so low we could feel the heat from the engines as they went by. Incredible. When I was in the Marine Drum Corps we used to go up and play fleet week every year. One of my favorite memories is sitting on the dock there on the Naval base on Treasure Island while the Blues did a practice run. They were so low we could feel the heat from the engines as they went by. Incredible.

]]> By: Shane Killian http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21896 Shane Killian Mon, 09 Oct 2006 20:33:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21896 AIIIGGHH!!! LOOK OUT!!! CHEMTRAILS!!!! AIIIGGHH!!! LOOK OUT!!! CHEMTRAILS!!!!

]]> By: Chip http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21897 Chip Mon, 09 Oct 2006 20:12:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21897 YouTube.com has a bunch of F 18, carrier flyby and Blue Angels video clips. Some from air shows and some excerpted from documentaries. Here's one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xlFTbvVh9E&mode=related&search= YouTube.com has a bunch of F 18, carrier flyby and Blue Angels video clips. Some from air shows and some excerpted from documentaries.

Here’s one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xlFTbvVh9E&mode=related&search=

]]> By: Grand Lunar http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21898 Grand Lunar Mon, 09 Oct 2006 19:55:40 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21898 Neat that you got to experience that, Phil. When I served on a carrier, on two seperate occasions, an F/A-18 and a F-14 went supersonic. The F-14 was louder. You could FEEL the sonic boom in your chest (happened both times). Neat that you got to experience that, Phil.

When I served on a carrier, on two seperate occasions, an F/A-18 and a F-14 went supersonic. The F-14 was louder.
You could FEEL the sonic boom in your chest (happened both times).

]]> By: TheProbe http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/comment-page-1/#comment-21900 TheProbe Mon, 09 Oct 2006 19:41:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/10/09/fleet-of-ear/#comment-21900 When the Blue ANgels perform at Jones Beach they fly 100 feet over the crowd. The sound pressure is intense and you feel it in your bones. When the Blue ANgels perform at Jones Beach they fly 100 feet over the crowd. The sound pressure is intense and you feel it in your bones.

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