Thunderbirds Pilot: David Commons (1985 - 1986)

[@mikehenderson2039]

I was privileged to have Dave administer my T-38 formation checkride during my year of pilot training at Williams AFB back in the day! He was a gentleman and glad to see how well he performed as a Thunderbird! Pure class!

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

I love these little peaks into history

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

35+ years ago and still very emotional about a hospital visit. That is what the teams are all about. Thank you for sharing your story...

[@kurtrominger2348]

@Edward st.antoine Fuck you asshole. I know him.

[@tchallabp1137]

You can tell this man is very genuine and he was really affected by visiting the Shriners hospital, and how fortunate he was to be in his position to fly and how he can affect someone else. Touching to see.

[@robweiss748]

I saw this team at Wurtsmith when I was an AFROTC cadet at Michigan. During the autograph session someone yelled at Hoss Jones, “Are you Bert Jones’ brother?” He said, “Yes, I am.” Bert Jones was the Indianapolis Colts Quarterback at the time. I’ll never forget that air show; first time I saw them in F-16s. They don’t fly that tight anymore.

[@chrisstevens8247]

What a great video, I was on the team the same time and talk about a great human being. Dave Commons, what great memories. Thank You

[@tommynikon2283]

These guys aren't only the best of the best within their services, but AMBASSADORS beyond just the military aspect.

[@scottmichael754]

amazing man & stories. I was emotional just hearing your Shriner's story. Thank you sir!!

[@Rick4345]

I was. SSgt with the 3345th Security Police Suadron at Chanute AFB at that time. The team did a demonstration for our air show but had to land and take off at Willard Airport because our runway was a disaster. Four of us were sent there for security. I couldn’t volunteer fast enough. I ended up talking to one of the pilots and the conversation turned towards my dad. He was a Green Beret for his Army career. The pilot told me to stay where I was. He came back with a photo of them flying over a mountain pass and it was signed by all the pilots. He told me to make sure my dad got the photo. I had it framed and gave it to him. My dad treasured that picture until he passed away in 2016. Thank you very much sir and thank your team members if you ever talk to them for bringing some happiness into his life. My dad was my hero and the Thunderbirds were his.

[@scottp4791]

Saw the Thunderbirds at Patrick AFB FL. 1984/85... Great show! Sir you are a REAL American. Your Burn unit story brought tears to my eyes! GOD BLESS You!

[@f-4gww458]

Well done. Another great video. Enjoy the Thunderbird pilots. Had the privilege of seeing both the Blues and Thunderbirds fly the F-4.

[@ksamos]

Fun times "back in the day". To just one day say to the boss, "hey, let's smoke the Blues"....too funny. Boy have times changed. Not sure that would be very kosher in today's PC military. To just announce to another base that you want their airfield (unscheduled mind you) may prompt some office meetings after you land. Don't want anyone to spill their coffee on themselves in the tower and get their panties in a wod. Wish there was video of this little flyby....be great to see the Blue's reaction. These stories are great. Would love to hear more from some of the old timers from all the teams. Snowbirds, Red Arrows would be a nice as well. Keep up the great work.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Glad you're enjoying all the stories! I will keep documenting them as long as they keep sharing them! All the best!

[@snoopy7647]

Thank you and your fellow service members service!

[@kekelaward]

A stop at Shriner's has that effect on just about everybody from all walks of life. Seen some studly athlete types and Tier 1 guys openly sobbing after leaving the room the kids were in. Keep up the great work. Great to see this format for other teams too.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thank you, sir. Always appreciate your comments on these videos. Ideally, I'd love to feature more Thunderbirds on this channel. As you can see from Mr. Commons' contributions, they are incredible individuals.

[@stevewithers3532]

We were at that airshow at Edwards AFB in 1985. The Space Shuttle landed there a few days earlier or later and we saw that too.

[@robertdug495]

Last time i saw the Thunderbirds was at Beale Air Force Base with some SR 71s and the B2. It was an awesome show!!

[@gavares3]

my first memories as a child, we of my father and dave commons javing a conversation in the ops room at nellis. that had to be 83 or 84. good too see you again .

[@alanvotta3847]

I Loved every word and.... conveyed feeling How wonderful

[@bills5621]

Great job as always Ryan. Best wishes

[@rogerhoward7104]

YOU MAKE US PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Couldn't agree more! Proud of all those that serve in our armed forces!

[@toddszymanski3907]

Excellent video and pilot, thank you for your service.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thanks, Todd! Glad you enjoyed the video. Mr. Commons made this one really easy to put together with his incredible story telling. Cheers!

[@bobboberson2024]

To me, the Blue Angels ARE the miltary aviation acrobatics team. I really enjoy their pre and post-fight rituals. The show speaks for itself. But I guess there's NO WAY the Air Force wouldn't have one themselves. There's room for both. Some serious dudes. Doing some awesome stuff.

[@Earthshaker513]

Glad to see some light shed on the T-Birds.

[@JasonMcLemore]

He mentions MacDill AFB here in Tampa! I remember as a kid the F-16's being based there. We have the KC-135's now. Attaining the AMW saved that historic base from closure in the 90's

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Glad MacDill was saved. Unfortunately, the Navy left Moffett Field (the base I grew up near) in 1992 as a result of budget cuts. Prior to the shutdown, there was a constant hum of P3-Orien engines over the Bay Area of California. That and an annual air show that featured either the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels depending on the year.

[@Douguod1]

I have this guys autograph on my thunderbirds poster from 1985.

[@parkburrets4054]

You were probably flying the NASA JSC show with the center at the end of a pier on Clear Lake. I got to watch the show standing just a few feet from Alan Shepard, surrounded by a few dozen other astronauts, many who were previous Thunderbird and Blue Angel pilots. Great fun!

[@djbowler3333]

Wow. If you don't think ptsd is real, you can literally see the trauma in his face when talking about the burn victims

[@JeremyAKnight]

Great video!

[@michaelcarrier4374]

Great video!!! Thank you for sharing!

[@scarecrow6741]

Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it.

[@bernardc2553]

Hook line & Sinker in thrust we trust thank you Sir.

[@IrishManJT]

Excellent.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thank you!!

[@williammccravy6901]

Legend!!

[@Nick-zz6xl]

Class act all the way!

[@derekchildress5]

I think the day he went to the Shriners hospital, those children became his hero's!

[@dedexyz8475]

@8:50....I'm crying, and Mr. Commons is trying not to.

[@wntu4]

It took an entirely different kind of courage to visit those little burn patients. Kudos.

[@gcarlson]

The Angels were still flying the A-4 while the T-birds had the F-16? I love the A-4, but... hopefully the Angels got them back with their Hornets later on. Great vid!

[@LV_FUD80]

The T-Birds started flying Vipers in 83, and the Blues began flying Hornets in 87. I've actually been at an airshow where the T-Birds finished up, and the Blues were in transit between show sites, so here comes T-Bird 6 on short final. He's the last to touch down, and as he's clearing the runway, here comes the Blues Delta Formation, roaring past the airfield. Perfectly timed! Back in the day, the teams used to do this to each other quite regularly, if they were anywhere near one another to make the prank feasible.

[@gcarlson]

@@LV_FUD80 Nice! I lived in Seattle for 24 years and got to watch the blue Angels every summer for Seafair. I took great joy in watching the liberal-lefties get their panties in a bunch when they started their practice sessions. The f-16 has been known as the Fighting falcon for decades, and it's still listed in Wikipedia as the Fighting falcon. I get the Battlestar Galactica reference as to why they started calling it a viper, but I'm wondering if this coincided with a hardware change or a role change in the aircraft... I just started hearing the viper designation recently.

[@deansynan7424]

Salute ~

[@bigmaxy07]

3 feet. Just look at something 3 feet away from you right now. Wow.

[@gerardguitarist]

How many times in the history of the Blue Angels have they been "smoked"? And twice with pilot's on the tarmac? What a great story. But those kids in the burn unit... Lord have Mercy...

[@gcHK47]

Blue Angel Phantoms, you TRAITOR!!! (I’m jesting)

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Ha! you made me laugh out loud. There will probably be more Thunderbirds sneaking on here from time to time. They're a great team and great people as you can tell from this interview. Thanks for watching and making me laugh. Cheers!

[@MAB-nj8wf]

Sooooo... They were letting him fly in F-4's as a 2nd year cadet?

[@LV_FUD80]

During the summertime, we always get Cadets on their summer tours from the Academy. They all get at least one backseat ride. They don't move to the front seat until they're in Undergraduate Pilot Training. Depending on how cocky the kid is, is how willing I am to give him a smooth ride, or make him barf his guts out. The polite, respectful cadets still get a great ride, but I'm more apt to tell him what's coming next. The kid who comes in there, shining his fanny, and acting like he's God's gift (yeah, we get some of them), well, he's gonna be the one holding a couple of puke bags, and crying home to mommy.