Institutes

Thunderbirds Swoop Into Choctaw For Quick Visit
  April 13, 2007

Senior Chris Hector tries on the Thunderbird flight gear, aided by the Assistant Crew Chief, SSgt Gavin Douglas. Hector will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Untiversity in the fall, as one of thirteen CHOICE students accepted.

Thunderbird pilot Major Chris Austin and SSgt Douglas present a photograph of the Thunderbirds to Choctaw Principal Cindy Massarelli.

Austin and Douglas took a tour of the CHOICE classrooms, along with SRA Patrick Spencer of Eglin AFB and A1C Tim Knopes.

Embry-Riddle instructor John Jannazo explains that upon graduation, the CHOICE students receive college credit from the renowned university.

Austin and Douglas were impressed by the caliber of questions posed by the audience of ROTC and CHOICE students. "This is the best high school I've seen, in terms of questions. You guys are awesome!" Austin exclaimed.

"This is obviously an aviation-focused school - you can tell when you start talking about ' g's ' and they know exactly what they are," stated Major Chris Austin, Left Wing Pilot of the Thunderbird's Diamond Formation.

He and SSgt Gavin Douglas, Assistant Crew Chief, spoke to about 200 students from Choctawhatchee High School's ROTC and Aviation programs about life in the prestigious F-16 demonstration team. Weather permitting, the Thunderbirds will fly this Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the Eglin Air Show on Eglin Air Force Base.

Austin was surprised by the level of knowledge of the students, who asked questions about the planes and the type of training and qualifications it takes to become part of the Thunderbird team. Austin stressed that the process is very competitive and that the Air Force looked for hard-working individuals with great integrity.

"At first," said Austin, "what I loved most about my job was flying. Now, it's the people I'm involved with. I love wearing my uniform and serving my country this way." Pointing to Douglas, he added: "He is the best of what the Air Force represents. He is one of the most honest people I have ever met."

One of the students asked Austin what he considered the most difficult part of the show. "The cross point," answered the pilot. The cross point is when the planes all appear to cross the same point at once, as seen from the stands. The planes are flying at about 600 mph when they reach the point of convergence and then have just 20 seconds to return to their formation.

Austin and Douglas asked senior Chris Hector to demonstrate the flight gear, which is designed to reduce the effect of the gravitational force on the body caused by acceleration ( g's ) on the pilots. The suits can compensate for about two g's , reducing the risk of passing out, when the blood flows away from the head. One of the students asked Austin about the maximum number of  g's he had experienced. "9.6," he answered. "And it really hurt!"

Principal Cindy Massarelli told the group that she had experienced a force of 7 g's when she flew in an F-15 a couple of years ago. "It was a two-hour experience I'll never forget!" she exclaimed.

The visitors signed autographs and answered more questions, before taking a tour of the CHOICE Aviation classrooms, along with SRA Patrick Spencer of Eglin Air Force Base and A1C Tim Knopes, an Air Force recruiter. They were surprised to see an enormous model of the Wright Brothers' plane hanging from the ceiling in one room, and another plane and link trainer in another.

"Wow - I wish I had had this kind of classroom!" exclaimed Austin.

"This is absolutely amazing!" agreed Douglas.

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The Eglin Air Show begins at 10 am Saturday and Sunday. The Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform at 3:30 pm, weather permitting.

To view the Thunderbirds' website, click here.