M. Wynn: "Wild Card" Aviation Photography & Images: Gallery Update: 2017 Idaho Falls Extreme Blue Thunder Air Show Recap

About This Blog:

The primary purpose of this blog is to showcase the best of my aviation photography. As such, you will find links to my main aviation gallery on Facebook containing photos from aircraft spotting, some kind of aviation event such as air shows and fly-in events, as well as aviation museums. I also critique my flights on commercial airlines and the services they provide. Occassionally, you'll find personally written, independent articles based on news and current events involving aviation. And of course, I'll put up links to official and unofficial aviation-related websites when I find them. And when time permits, I'll talk and discuss about anything involving aviation. But most importantly, this is my way to document my journey into the aviation industry!

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Gallery Update: 2017 Idaho Falls Extreme Blue Thunder Air Show Recap

To say today was a good day is an understatement. Today was a fantastic day as I got to attend the Extreme Blue Thunder Air Show in Idaho Falls for the very first time! The last time there was an air show at Idaho Falls was back in 2010 (and there were a lot of problems with that show back then!), so there was quite a gap between respective shows. It also felt very refreshing to attend a totally new air show venue for the first time in a while because the last several years, I've been attending the same shows consecutively. This year's line-up was pretty great as well so there was plenty to see. I even got to spot some commercial traffic since the Idaho Falls Regional Airport is served by commercial airlines on a daily basis. Highlights from the show includes:

The main headliner being the United States Navy Blue Angels flying (strangely) a five-ship formation demonstration.
Along with the Blue Angels came their C-130 Hercules known as "Fat Albert!" Late last year, Fat Albert was taken offline prematurely for an extensive tear-down followed by an overhaul. Idaho Falls was only Fat Albert's third air show appearance for the 2017 season, so it was fortunate that the full Blue Angels experience was there.
The other main attraction was the United States Air Force F-35 Heritage Flight Team flying the high-tech F-35A Lightning II. As of right now, Air Combat Command is only allowing the F-35 to participate in Heritage Flights only so today's F-35 demonstration wasn't even a demonstration at all; it just took off and formed up with a P-51D Mustang and made the traditional three passes (along with two solo passes) choreographed to Dwayne O'Brien's "We Remember."
The military parachute team that performed in the opening ceremony (along with the actual demo later in the day) came courtesy of the United States Army's Black Daggers Parachute Team.
Warbird performers included local John Bagley flying the Bell P-63C Kingcobra, Lee Lauderback borrowing Bagley's P-51D Mustang known as "Ole Yeller," as well as jet warbirds courtesy of the Driggs, Idaho-based MiG Fury Fighters group from the Teton Aviation Center's warbird collection.
Aerobatic performers included Brad Wursten flying his MXS-R, Julie Clark in her Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, local Todd Therp in his Russian Interavia I-3, Gene Soucy in his Grumman Show Cat, and Matt Younkin in his Beechcraft Model 18.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a United Express) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 CRJ-200LR (N978SW) departing on 20 as SKW5184 for Denver.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2D24 CRJ-900 (N689CA) arriving on 20 as SKW3556 from Minneapolis/St. Paul. When the route between Idaho Falls and Minneapolis was re-instated back in 2014, Delta's regional subsidiary Endeavor Air was operating the flights. Now, it seems like the summer seasonal flights are operated by SkyWest.

N689CA departing on 20 after 50 minute turn-around back to Minneapolis/St. Paul as SKW3556 (some regional or dedicated flight routes retain the same flight number for both trips).

Flight Ramp & Static Displays
A new air show venue for meant some new things I haven't seen before. As opportunity permitted, I took what photos I could of the performing aircraft on the active flight ramp. I also went through the static displays twice; once before the show and again after the show concluded for better lighting and less crowds.

United States Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (11-5037) parked on the active ramp. I was absolutely excited to see one of these up close for the very first time. I also appreciated that they parked it close enough for people to get a good look all the while protecting a multi-trillion dollar aircraft! Aircraft is based with the 56th Fighter Wing out of Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona.

United States Navy Beechcraft T-6B Texan II (166210) of Training Air Wing Four (TAW-4) based out of NAS Corpus Christi on display.

United States Navy Beechcraft T-6B Texan II (166180) of Training Air Wing Four (TAW-4) based out of NAS Corpus Christi on display.

Vought F4U-5NL Corsair (NX4901W) on display.

North American NA-68/P-64 (N64NA) replica from the Legacy Flight Museum on display.

Grumman S2F-1 Tracker (N8115M) from the Legacy Flight Museum on display.

Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3S Avenger (NL53503) from the Commemorative Air Force Rocky Mountain Wing on display.

United States Navy Northrop F-5N Tiger II (761573) from Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC-13) "Saints" out of Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada. The fighter squadron provides adversary training for Navy and Marine Corps Active and Reserve fleet and replacement squadrons, carrier air wings and Marine aircraft groups, USAF units, to include Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, and Canadian Forces. Looks like a MiG-28! F-5Ns are former Swiss Air Force F-5E Tiger IIs used to replace high-time USN/USMC F-5Es in the adversary role, and see service through to 2015.

United States Navy Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye (165647) from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120) out of Naval Station Norfolk on display. This was my first time seeing one of these airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft! It's also a rare treat to see Naval aircraft that typically operate off of aircraft carriers this far inland!

United States Navy Northrop Grumman C-2A Greyhound (162148) from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120) out of Naval Station Norfolk on display. This was also my first time seeing a C-2 Greyhound!

Corporate Air (d/b/a FedEx Feeder) Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster (N748FX) on display.

Empire Airlines (d/b/a FedEx Feeder) ATR-42-320 (N903FX) on display. It's actually quite neat to see airliners be put on static display; I strongly believe the airlines can get their names out there by putting an aircraft from their fleet on display at an air show!

North American P-51D Mustang (NL51YZ) known as NACA127 on display at the Pacific Fighters ramp. This P-51 was one of four P-51s that was assigned to researchers at NASA’s precursor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). They had turned to military aircraft that were capable of a controlled dive at near-transonic speeds (ie. the P-51 Mustang). The tail of this, and several other NACA Mustangs, is taller than on production P-51Ds as a result of NACA's need for greater stability in the high-speed dive environment.

Opening Acts
As per tradition, the air show opened with a parachute team, namely the United States Army's Black Daggers to bring in the American Flag. Following the opening ceremony, aerobatics pilot Brad Wursten performed a teaser demo in his MXS-R.

Two members of the Black Daggers bringing in the American flag prior to separating.

The American flag being brought in after separation.

And as usual, thanks to Matt Younkin for playing double-duty as a jump aircraft in his Beech C18S (N9109R), seen here landing on 20 after the opening ceremony.

Following the opening ceremony, Brad Wursten "invaded" Idaho Falls Airspace with a teaser demo in his MX Aircraft MXS-R (N545EA)!

Aerobatics by Julie Clark
Former Northwest Airlines Airbus A320 Captain Julie Clark is a rare breed of pilots! She is an aviation pioneer for all women in aviation. She has an incredible background that got her to where she's at today; her father was an airline captain for Pacific Air Lines. After his death in 1964 by the hands of a suicidal passenger that caused the Pacific Air Lines Flight 773 crash (which led to the regulation that doors separating the passenger cabin from the crew compartment on all scheduled air carrier and commercial aircraft must be kept locked in flight), Julie Clark was orphaned (her mother having died a year prior) along with her sisters. Following her father's death Julie Clark became even more determined to pursue a flying career Captain Clark gave a beautiful aerobatic demonstration in here equally beautiful Beechcraft T-34A Mentor known as "Free Spirit."

Julie Clark in her Beechcraft T-34A Mentor (N134JC) "Free Spirit." Clark purchased this aircraft surplussed at an auction sight unseen. She then went up to Alaska where the auction took place and flew the plane to her home in California.

A beautiful and patriotic display of smoke.

Smoke on, Clark brings her T-34 in for a low pass.

Julie Clark deploying the landing gear.

Bringing "Free Spirit" in for landing on 20.

Engine shut down, Captain Clark steps out in front of the crowd with American flag in hand.

MiG Fury Fighters Demo
This act was only announced by the air show just a few months before and I was really excited to see it because I've waited years to see it! The MiG Fury Fighters demo, based in Driggs, Idaho at the Teton Aviation Center's warbird collection (started by retired Navy flight surgeon, Dr. Richard "Doc" Sugden) consists of the only airworthy example of the North American FJ-4 Fury, a Mig-17, and a MiG-15. Jet warbirds of this rarity are always exciting and privilege to see at air shows and I am personally glad that I got to see it this year at the Idaho Falls Air Show!

North American FJ-4B Fury (N400FS) back-taxiing on 20. At the controls is "Doc" Sugden. The FJ-4 Fury shares it's lineage with the F-86 Sabre family and was developed from the FJ-2/FJ-3 Fury (which was directly developed from the F-86 as an effort to navalize the F-86). The distinguishing feature of the FJ-4 is an entirely new wing design.

PZL-Mielec Lim-5 (NX717MG), a Polish license-build of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F "Fresco." At the controls is David "Cujo" Macaluso. Aircraft was built on April 30, 1958 and put into service on July 24, 1958 with the 11th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Polish Air Force. It last served with the 61st Fighter Training Regiment in Biala Podlaska, a training regiment of the Polish Air Force Academy in Deblin. It's last flight in Poland was on November 17, 1990.

PZL-Mielec SBLim-2 (N515MG), a Polish license-build of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI "Fagot." At the controls is Peter "Bamboo" Kline. Aircraft was was built on March 20, 1955 and put into service on June 18, 1955 with the 25th Fighter Aviation Regiment of Polish Air Force. It was converted to be a SBLim-2 between September 1969 and October 1970. The jet's service history is mostly unknown due to the secretive nature of Poland. The aircraft was found decommissioned and stored at Mierzecice Air Base in Poland.

The Fury on takeoff roll.

The Fury making a "bomb run" prior to instigating a dogfight.

The MiGs taking off to meet the Fury in battle.

The MiGs splitting up to get the jump on the Fury.

The Fury making a hasty getaway.

The MiG-15, the sworn enemy to F-86 family since the Korean War in pursuit of the Fury.

The MiG-17 flying cover.

The MiG-15 passing overhead.

The MiG-17 in afterburner!

Former enemies now flying in formation; first pass.

Second formation pass.

Third and final formation pass overhead.

Formation split!

MiG-15 in a photo pass.

Fury making a pass.

Photo pass of the MiG-17 in afterburner!

One final pass by the MiG-15.

Fury making one final pass.

One final pass of the MiG-17 in afterburner!

MiG-15 landing.

FJ-4B Fury landing. I am so glad I got to see this rare jet warbird fly!

MiG-17 landing.

Aerobatics by Todd Therp
Todd Therp is a local aerobatics pilot based out of Rigby, Idaho and I actually know him personally! I met him back when I started volunteering at the Legacy Flight Museum in Rexburg and I've actually seen him fly a couple of times during that time, including the air show hosted by the Legacy Flight Museum in 2014. He's also the head mechanic for all the warbirds on display at the Legacy Flight Museum and he's also qualified to fly any of them! Todd flew aerobatics in today's show in the Russian Interavia I-3, a rather uncommon aerobatic aircraft type.

Todd Therp making a photo pass in his Interavia I-3 (N4413N).

Bringing in the I-3 for a landing.

The Interavia I-3 is an export version of the Technoavia SP-95 Slava. It's a rare aircraft type as only a limited number were built. Todd Therp's Interavia is one of only three registered in the United States.

Aerobatics by John Bagley
Immediately following Todd Therp's performance, John Bagley, another local out of Rexburg, Idaho, and president and founder of the Legacy Flight Museum took to the skies in his Bell P-63C Kingcobra, an ultra rare warbird of World War II that is often displayed at the museum. I got to see the Kingcobra fly briefly at the Legacy Air Show three years ago back in 2014 with John Bagley at the controls. However, he had to cut the performance short due to a section of the canopy imploding. This time though, we got to enjoy a full performance of this immaculate warbird.

John Bagley taking the Bell P-63C Kingcobra (NL163FS) into a loop.

In the middle of a roll.

Photo pass of the Kingcobra.

High speed photo pass.

John Bagley landing the Kingcobra on 20.

Taxiing back to the ramp.

Aerobatics by Brad Wursten
It was nonstop with the aerobatics as Brad Wursten took to the air in MXS-R for the second time today, this time performing his full aerobatic display.

Brad Wursten pulling up his MX Aircraft MXS-R (N545EA) in one of his passes.

High speed pass.

The famed knife-edge pass.

Wursten bringing his MXS in for a landing.

United States Army Black Daggers Parachute Team
For the second time today, the United States Army Black Daggers Parachute Team took to the skies and demonstrated tactical military insertion via parachute for a paratrooper.

Matt Younkin is having busy day in his Beech C18S (N9109R). Preparing for takeoff for the second time during the show.

A paratrooper coming in.

Just moments from landing; note the equipment bag tethered to his feet. When these guys jump out, they're carrying equipment strapped to their legs. Moments before touching down, the para-soldier kicks the equipment bag off their legs so they can focus on landing. These guys know how to conduct themselves, whether it be a demonstration or actual combat.

Matt Younkin bringing his Twin Beech back in for landing for the second time. Next time, he'll have his rear door re-attached and will be performing his aerobatic demonstration!

United States Air Force F-35 Heritage Flight Team
At last, I had the opportunity to see perhaps one of the most anticipated air show demos this year! I have waited a long time to see an F-35 Lightning II fly close up! However, I was slightly disappointed to find out that the F-35 was only doing Heritage Flights with warbirds and not a full demo like the F-16 or F-22, but I can understand why. The F-35, with it's advanced technology is pretty controversial due it's program costs. It's a technology that is still being proven today, so Air Combat Command probably has not authorized a full air show demonstration for this multi-trillion dollar aircraft. For the sake of the country's national security, I'd rather see the F-35 be used the way it's intended for. Nevertheless, it was still great to finally see this high-tech fighter fly (and as a tax payer, I am appeased!)! Today's Heritage Flight consisted of the F-35 and a P-51D Mustang.

Taxiing out. Have you ever seen a twin-tail fighter design with one big engine???

North America P-51D Mustang (N151AF) "Val-Halla" airborne after departing on 02 with Greg Anders, son of Apollo 8 astronaut William "Bill" Anders at the controls. The elder Anders is the owner of this Mustang.

United States Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (11-5038) from the 61st Fighter Squadron out of Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona airborne with full afterburner following takeoff from 02. At the controls is Major Will "D-Rail" Andreotta.

Going into an unrestricted climb. Check out that glowing tail pipe!

Heritage Flight first pass. Note the contrails from the F-35's wingtips.

Heritage Flight second pass.

Heritage Flight third and final pass. It's always such a privilege to see formations like this!

Followed by a nice cross-over to split the formation!

D-Rail bringing the Lightning II in a high-speed pass!

Greg Anders in the middle of a victory roll in his father's Mustang!

The break pass prior to landing. Note the contrails forming!

One of my favorite shots of the F-35!

I love the smell of afterburner in the morning!!!

One more pass from Greg Anders prior to landing.

F-35A Lightning II on landing roll-out. Major Andreotta took the jet all the way to the end and then back-taxied to allow the P-51 behind him to be able to vacate the runway first.

D-Rail back-taxiing the Lightning II.

Greg Anders in the P-51 clear at taxiway C.

Anders taxiing the P-51 back to the ramp with the F-35 bringing up the rear.

D-Rail taxiing the F-35 back to the ramp. Now that I've seen the F-35A from the Air Force, I gotta see the F-35B from the Marine Corps and F-35C from the Navy!

Aerobatics by Lee Lauderback
Lee Lauderback from Stallion 51 Flight Operations performed his solo P-51 Mustang routine using John Bagley's P-51D Mustang from the Legacy Flight Museum, "Ole Yeller," the same Mustang once owned by the late-Bob Hoover. I have to admit, seeing "Ole Yeller" fly made me a little emotional considering that Bob Hoover passed away in October of last year; many other aviation enthusiasts including the air show announcer felt the same way. We miss you R.A. "Bob" Hoover!

Lee Lauderback taxiing out the famous North American P-51D Mustang (N51RH) "Ole Yeller."

Executing a roll right after takeoff from 02, something that Bob Hoover would've done! And the wings make it very clear who this plane used to belong to!

Recovering from the roll.

The first photo pass. This has to be my all-time favorite shot of "Ole Yeller."

Halfway through an eight-point roll.

One more photo pass before landing. We all miss Bob Hoover...

Aerobatics by Gene Soucy
One of the most well-respected air show pilots in the circuit today is Gene Soucy, a former member of the record-setting Eagles Aerobatic Flight Team and a member of two World Champion U.S. Aerobatic Teams. He has won more awards than any other active air show pilot because of his style of innovation and versatility, qualities that have earned him the nickname "Mr. Air Show."

Gene Soucy in his Grumman G-164A Show Cat (NX7699) right after taking off from 02. The Show Cat is a modified Grumman Ag Cat, an agricultural aircraft. Considering that most barnstormers from way back in the day had origins or ties with agricultural planes, Gene Soucy's aerobatics somewhat pays homage to the early days of aviation entertainment.

Coming out of a half Cuban-eight.

Executing a four-point roll.

Making a pass before going into the vertical.

Making another close-up pass before concluding the show.

Now he's just showing off! Gene Soucy dancing on the main landing gears while landing!

Aerobatics by Matt Younkin
I never get tired of Matt Younkin and his beautiful display in the Beechcraft Model 18! I am amazed every time he puts the Twin-Beech through it's paces, an air show routine that the aircraft was never intended to do. Matt Younkin, the son of legendary air show pilot Bobby Younkin has become a legend himself, demonstrating that proper energy management along with superb piloting skills can allow a non-aerobatic airplane to do things in which they were never intended to do.

Pulling away after taking off from 02, to the tune "Pink Elephants on Parade" from the Disney film 'Dumbo.'

Managing energy (airspeed and altitude) to execute one of many rolls.

Lights on and with the music switched over to Vangelis' "Titans" from Oliver Stone's film 'Alexander' to show the graceful aerobatics in the hands of a skilled aviator.

Matt Younkin bringing his Twin-Beech around for another pass.

A beautiful photo pass of the Twin-Beech.

Landing gear extended and aerodynamically dirty, Matt Younkin concludes his performance with the Elephant Waltz.

Mat Younkin landing his Beech C18S (N9109R) for the third time during the day's activities.

Greeting the crowd at the show line!

Turned around and taxiing to the ramp while giving the crowd a wave! Matt Younkin is truly a class-act in the air show business!

United States Marine Corps C-130 "Fat Albert"
Last call for Fat Albert Airlines! Finally, it was time for the headliner act of the 2017 Extreme Blue Thunder Air Show, the Blue Angels. As usual, the Blue Angels start off with the demonstration of their support aircraft, the Lockheed C-130T Hercules affectionately known as "Fat Albert!" It was very fortunate that "Fat Albert" was able to perform in Idaho Falls given that this was only the third air show appearance for the aircraft this year. The team's C-130 was grounded during the middle of the 2016 air show season due to unspecified maintenance issues; the plane ended up in depot-level maintenance, meaning it was stripped of that classic blue and gold paint scheme, torn apart, and completely overhauled before being put back together again. Maintenance was just completed a month ago, just in time for "Bert's" air show performance in Idaho Falls.

United States Marine Corps Lockheed C-130T Hercules (164763) "Fat Albert" airborne after takeoff from 02, doing what we call a soft-field takeoff for a Hercules! At the controls are Major Mark Hamilton, Major Mark Montgomery, and Major Kyle Maschner.

Followed by a steep climb-out.

Photo pass by "Fat Albert!"

And another high-speed pass.

Overhead pass.

Followed by steep bank to the right.

Landing rollout on 02, with the props being feathered to allow the versatile Hercules to taxi backwards!

Turning around with propeller power! The C-130 is the king of versatility!

Back-taxiing back to the ramp.

Returning to the hot ramp. Glad to see "Fat Albert" make it out to Idaho Falls in time!

United States Navy Blue Angels
And now, the headliner performance, the United States Navy Blue Angels. It was somewhat of an odd performance because there were only five jets present today with Blue Angel #2 absent. So the in place of the normal four-ship for the Delta was a modified three-ship group, with the solo pilots still doing things the same.

United States Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet (163485), Blue Angel #1 with Commander Ryan Bernacchi at the controls.

United States Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18B Hornet (162885), Blue Angel #3 with Lieutenant Nate Scott at the controls.

United States Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D Hornet (163468), Blue Angel #4 with Lieutenant Lance Benson at the controls. There were three different variants of the legacy Hornet (with two two-seat variants) in today's performance!

United States Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet (163444), Blue Angel #6 with Lieutenant Tyler Davies at the controls back-taxiing on 02.

The Diamond formation taking off on 02.

The three-ship Diamond coming in for a pass. This is a pretty rare occurrence; in a normal six-ship routine, the Blue Angels usually has one two-seater Hornet flying in the routine. But today's five-ship demonstration has three different variants of the legacy Hornet with two two-seat jets in the formation!

United States Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet (163451), Blue Angel #5 with Commander Frank Weisser at the controls beginning takeoff roll on 20. Commander Weisser previously flew with the team from 2008 until 2010. He was brought back to the team last year following the tragic loss of United States Marine Captain Jeff Kuss during a practice for the Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna, Tennesse on June 2, 2016.