Civilian jet team stars at Lewis-McChord air show – KNDO/KNDU
Associated Press – July 16, 2010 1:15 PM ET
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) – The star of this weekend’s air show at Joint Base Lewis-McChord is the civilian Patriots Jet Team.
It flies four L-39s jet trainers.
The News Tribune of Tacoma reports the group’s signature move is called the “tail slide.” The planes climb straight up until the speed hits zero and they start falling tail-first through their smoke.
At 560 mph, the planes are slower than the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds, and that means they remain in view of the crowd. Lewis-McChord expects 150,000 people each day of this weekend’s Air Expo.
More than a dozen acts will take to the air, and nearly 50 types of aircraft will be on display at McChord Field. They include the C-5 Galaxy cargo plane, an F-16 fighter and Chinook helicopter.
Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com
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