21. Flying the F-14 Tomcat Air Show Demo

You've been to an #airshow and maybe are even one of the lucky few to have seen an #f14tomcat demonstration, but do you know what it took to put on that short routine?
On this episode, "Shorn" Saccomando and "Ponch" Rivera explain the training, preparation, and crew coordination required to put the big fighter through its paces in front of thousands with scary moments and funny anecdotes not otherwise revealed to the crowd. It's all here on this episode of the F-14 Tomcast.

[@Topgunphoto]

Remember shooting the F-14 Demo pilot in Rhode Island in 2002, was able to get on the ramp with "Moules", sadly back in my 35mm days. Then at Oceana in 06 when the final Tomcat flight for the air show, they had the Friday evening beach show, was unreal seeing that and the burners just ripping the entire time. Miss that bird.

[@johnferguson1455]

This for me, this was my favorite episode of the Tomcast so far. As one that has flown as an Airshow pilot in the warbird community for many years, I personally could really identify with the discussion. Great interview and episode!

[@rlhmarines]

I last saw the F14 demo flying while I was working air ops at MCAS El Toro in the early ‘90’s. I had the pleasure and privilege to be apart of the air shows we put together each year and met a lot air crews but the Tomcat was and is still my favorite all time especially the minimum radius turn maneuver. I’ve seen the amazing SR71 Blackbird and F15’s taking off and going vertical at Kadena AB at night which are all amazing sights to be experienced but the F14 just does it for me like no other.

[@davidsmith8997]

Confidence is good, but humility is better. Great to hear both from these guys. Wish I was at that show where the crowd got to hear the real roar of those engines!

[@cantonmotors]

Loni Anderson was captain in my squadron during our cruise on Truman. He is a great man.

[@marcustiggs5361]

I knew saccomondo when he was a blue angel pilot. He was a guest speaker at my high school. Great guy

[@BruceTGriffiths]

Wish I had seen this demo. I was lucky enought to catch the F15 Demo Practice at Davis Monthan when I worked at an Office Park nearby. The thud of the burners in your chest is never forgoton. :D

[@darrenschultz3572]

I always enjoyed watching the Tomcat demos more than the hornet ones. I especially liked the min radius turns. Like it says on the Blacklion's short bus- turns on a dime and gives you 9 cents change. Tomcats Forever!

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

The Tomcat demos are the only ones that can hold my attention. Many demos are left to right with left knee, right turn. Right to left with right knee, left turn. There's one where the Tomcat takes off into a 45° roll immelman. It may be Oceana 1998 Most amazing takeoff.

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

I almost forgot Ft. Lauderdale where the RIO is on VHS calling the show. Gather your belongings and take small children by the hand because we are coming in at the speed of Heat!

[@jeffdurkin9943]

I really wanna hear “Demo” talk about the demo!

[@wayneroyal3137]

Snort would do the demo here at NASJAX, it was absolutely amazing, seeing the incredible performance of the F-14. One maneuver was a vertical figure eight with the gear out! Love seeing this cast again

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

That must have been something to see!

[@wayneroyal3137]

@@FighterPilotPodcastas I am watching, I am pretty sure it was Snort, but I can’t be 100% certain.. either way, was amazing! we would anchor right at the end of 9/27 in the river.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@wayneroyal3137 💪

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

​@wayneroyal3137 if the precision is impeccable with no wiggle at the end of the roll, it's Snort

[@-Who.Knows-]

I was 12 years old at the oceana air show for the final demo. It was amazing 👏 🎉. I've been going to air shows ever since.

[@rostamr4096]

I really enjoyed this podcast..awesome

[@johnb7490]

That was awesome, thanks.

[@ddwolfe11]

Awesome entertainment from the world of really fast movers. I have many UAL pals from your community: Bull Bullard, Bagger Sierens, Bum Steers, Amtrak____( never knew his real name LOL) Check 6! Wolfman, ancient Air Guard Fighter Puke and UAL ret….OUT

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@ddwolfe11 thanks so much, Wolfman!

[@carlfischer4163]

Great show. I wish I could have seen more TomCat air shows. I do remember seeing Snort once. ❤️❤️👍👍

[@ResolUloseR]

I was lucky growing up in the hills of Tierra Santa, San Diego...above NAS MIRAMAR. My dad (Boat Navy) had a bunch of friends who worked that base, so I often found myself on the base and getting to walk around in the hangers around all those Tomcats. Saw them flying around all the time during Jr. High school.

[@williamsharp5973]

This was absolutely great. :)

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks!

[@maximillianvermontsuperbik2624]

You guys Rock !

[@MC-810]

5:41 Did you previously release this video and then re-release in 2024? Ponch says 36 years ago today Top Gun came out…so this was recorded on May 16, 2022.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Yes, this whole series is a rerun.

[@COVERICK]

Fabulous segment, Thank you.

[@mikejohnson280]

Great show. These keep getting better and better.

[@Avofan]

I met pilots who flew it. I saw in person on board an open house on the USS Nimitz. I never saw it fly or witnessed a demo.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Ok.

[@BruceTGriffiths]

You cannot put a price on the vaule that a second pair of eyes on the situation adds. Particularly since they are generally task unloaded and can think about the overall big picture of protecting the flight.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Well, yes and no. A VFA-122 F/A-18F crashed during an airshow demo practice a dozen years ago. The WSO did not save the day but perished with the pilot. hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/nasl-crash-caused-by-practice-mistakes/article_cb288a54-4d11-11e1-9f29-001871e3ce6c.html

[@BruceTGriffiths]

@@FighterPilotPodcast A second pair of eyes cannot always benefit you but in my experience, it has really helped situational awareness whether I was pilot flying or monitoring. Just from a workload point of view, it is a no brainer and the safety valve aspect is always in the front of my mind.

[@tzisme]

An old army vet is going to take a guess here. Naval Aviators have more fun than Air Force pilots. Thank you all.

[@dougstitt1652]

Brave man. Trunk Monkey

[@kyleknebel6409]

Really enjoy your podcasts, but two out of three of you have bouncing laptop videos today and I'm getting dizzy!

[@chriscarroll641]

The beginning of this feels like the start of a really shit acted school info video. "wow, yahhh, tubular, radical, yahhh" what massive flags. I can't understand why everyone wants to invade. You would too if this is all you have to go though.