US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet Low Altitude Training

[@youraloser4192]

Thank you thank you thank you for not putting some stupid heavy metal or c-rap music track...the orignal sound is just adds to how bad ass this is

[@deventhompson2950]

i love how you can just see how much control he has over it, looks like a amazingly awesome aircraft to fly as a job, that would be one of the best jobs out there!

[@bogsidebunny]

Both the USAF & RAF share a NOE range in Wales. Lots of people hike up to the top of mountains to watch F/A-18's, F-15's and Tornados fly past at 600 kts BELOW THEM. It's a hoot!

[@proconsulaugustus]

Everyone fishing in that river caught exactly zero fish for the rest of the day.

[@tristanvadimterranova8053]

As a fisherman, I DO understand you. I mean you and I try not to fart in order to be discreet and then the topguns come around...

[@breming1]

I enjoyed it, especially the canyon run from 3:35 to 4:27. Fun and incredible footage. Thanks for sharing.

[@AGenericAccount]

One of the only videos where I can actually hear what's going on! Frikkin amazing.

[@tenacious645]

This is an understatement. I don't think some people realize how badly taking out the original sound in any jet video destroys the video.

[@Prestostark]

Think I feel lunch coming up...Awesome footage! This is one of those posts that makes KZbin so excellent.

[@Blixer7]

Great video. I particularly like the inverted moves and the fact you didn't put the usual cliched kenny loggins song. The inboard cockpit sounds gave a more visceral feel. Cool move.

[@jimr7154]

Some of the footage looked similar to the “ impossible mission run” from TopGun Maverick

[@Paddeiii]

finally a video without music, now i can add my own to it :D

[@flyboy765753]

When your going that fast even slight course correction can cause massive G's. going inverted is so he doesn't pull negative G's while lowering the pitch of the plane.( a G suit help keep blood in the brain, but theirs nothing preventing blood from rushing to the brain in a negative g maneuver) plus its probably fun....

[@WTFBddy]

VFA-137 only has one foxtrot, but it's not used for training. It's a replacement of the same lot, because apparently there are no more echos of that lot number in the navy.

[@Johnnyred51]

Appears top be a training flight through the Sierra Nevada. This pilot knows how to cut through canyons. Very risky stuff.

[@commissaryarrick9670]

I like he is just casually looking around not even looking straight ahead half the time while doing this, surprised he isn't texting on his phone or something . It just shows he has nerves of steel he is calm as hell and most of us would be frozen in fear

[@pmoretti64]

Many thanks for video and original sound,BRAVO!

[@ddiver7908]

Amazing..i didn't know they made planes big enough to carry the size of this guy's balls.

[@decodeddiesel]

Navy pilots really are amazing at what they do. Hats off to you gentleman!

[@mickeydougal]

3:45 down the river is freaking awesome!

[@steviebeats]

Seen this a few times now, stunning video, quality is fantastic and having flown low level a few times this is impressive, great flying. Now you need to come to the UK with your F15 buddies and do it here! Many thanks

[@trevormetcalf3034]

This is insane props to the pilot !!!

[@silentmagz3797]

+Hoorf props = Proper recognition

[@WomackPhotoKCMO]

Holy Christ...that river run was awesome!!!

[@thehomersimpson6]

3:45 damn that's close!

[@daffidavit]

Yeah, the wings had to be no more than 50 ft from the trees doing about 250 kts. No room for error at all.

[@zacherymills6594]

@@daffidavit He's going about double that.

[@daffidavit]

@@zacherymills6594 Yes, I suppose you are correct. 500 kts at 50 ft over the trees. It's no wonder we don't hear of more bad results. I guess it's because our pilots are so great.

[@zacherymills6594]

daffidavit yeah I haven’t gone that low yet, but under 500ft feels low as hell.

[@daffidavit]

@@zacherymills6594 Well Sir, I can tell you I was flying at below 100 ft just last week. The jet aircraft was going no faster than 50 kts while just below the crane that was doing construction work. LOL, yeah, my buddy owns a Bell Jet Ranger and I was his only passenger. It was great. I also fly small single engine airplanes. I must assume my final approach speed is slower than your stall speed. But after all, isn't it the thrill of flying that really captures us no matter what we fly? God Bless.

[@ersogoth]

All the electronics are configured the same as an older video display, they have a very tight field of view, the camera wont be able to pick up anything on them. There are controls to vary the brightness and contrast... and when configured correctly they are bright enough in the worst sunlight.

[@Zone5Aviation]

The JHMCS (Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System) you refer to as "the bulged visor" is a detachable accessory therefore depending on the mission, may not be required. Some units may not be equiped with it because I am not sure if early Super Hornets had it installed into the system or because there jsut isn't a need for it.

[@curtekstrom7564]

I spend 25 of my 29 years as a Naval Aviator, Loved it, now my Daughter is filling those Boots.

[@pequod_]

Got any stories to share?

[@daffidavit]

That means you started at age 4? Just kidding. I'm proud my dad was in the Navy during WWII and remained in the reserves for 20 after that. I have a special place in my heart for the Navy.

[@mifune9634]

What?! Damn you God! She used to be a little girl, and now she's boot filling! BOOT FILLING!

[@DogmaFaucet]

Very cool, thank you. I wonder why it takes so long for the 3D control to appear on the video's controls. Over a minute on this one. Oh well. The conversion isn't perfect, but there are definitely some great moments. Following the river, for example.

[@jackneedy488]

GEEEZ !....I'd like to see him come ashore from the ground. Where's THAT video?

[@evanhooser10x]

Can you imagine having a nice picnic in the woods by the river and this cat comes rippin by at that altitude and that speed. That is so badass . God bless the USA

[@NoferTrunions]

Yes, and that is why I would be picnicking there! haha

[@00bikeboy]

That's friggin' insane. I wouldn't fly that low in a simulator.

[@heavyizthacrown-5842]

Great footage! That canyon run was dope!!!

[@go2cloudbase]

Anyone recognize what rivers are at 3:40 and later? And this is still the best military jet footage on youtube imo.

[@mrpeabodythethird]

Amazing! Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[@Moloko_Synthemesc]

I agree that's gotta be the best job in the world once you pass the centrifuge tests... awesome perspective

[@BruceConsidine]

I wonder what it sounded like when he is going up those river canyons. I heard a Brit warplane training for the Farnborough Airshow. It sounded like it was ripping apart the sky. Nothing like a commercial airliner or business jet. This will probably be the only way to do stealth in a few years (upcoming radar technologies.)

[@MrFloppyHare]

Yes, jet engines of fighter planes sound nothing like a turbo fan of an airliner; they have that distinctive crack(l)ing sound that turbo fans don't.

[@norcalgreen1]

so that was all Nor California, you can I.D Highway 299W in trinity county as he rolls into the river drainage, having flown that area I would not recommend doing that at 120kts let alone 400kts. must launch off a boat out off the N Coast and use a M.O.A

[@JAGIFFORD]

I thought it looked like the Klamath river highway?

[@figwe777]

Amazing DCS has got so realistic :)

[@juanmora9148]

This reminds me the top gun 2 low altitude scene in the movie

[@ВадимСавенков-з2ю]

Видимо режиссеры вдохновлялись именно этим видео

[@nh6milhistory]

Northern California then into Oregon at the end of the vid.

[@pgrimmo301]

Watching this makes me appreciate all the engineers who built such machines even more than the pilots who fly them....

[@StringBolt]

Believe It! glad someone grabbed it before it disappeared, thank you!

[@laliux32]

not put background music to this video is worth 10 billion applause and thumbs up

[@julionica]

This is by far the best F-18 cockpit video I've ever seen. 3:46 is where it gets superb

[@TheVaniastro]

Amazing, thanks for uplouding this good stuff

[@MrFarnanonical]

The Hornet is definitely my favorite 4th gen fighter.

[@raykrv6a]

That guy has a great job. Cool flying.

[@Broadcaster925]

Nice video. Pffff...: and: NO MUSIC, but only the sound of the plane, so as it belongs.

[@m118lr]

The ULTIMATE, quintessential RIDE-along..! Talk about adrenaline rush, IF ONLY…

[@sturzynski]

THANK YOU FOR LEAVING THE ORIGINAL SOUND

[@joepapp01]

You know, I didn't even think about that, or realize it, so to speak...I was engrossed in the flying and there were no distractions - like annoying 90s music. So yes, thank you to the creator/ul'r for leaving the original audio intact!

[@trevorthomas3394]

And in other news, hikers find an unusually high amount of bear droppings.

[@SevenCostanza]

super hornet pilots wear different special helmets and visors that have the look and shoot and all the fancy electronics

[@fjoa123]

i was thinking "this video would have rocked with danger zone on it" just before i read your comment

[@tenacious645]

This video is pure excellence.

[@alexv3357]

Seeing real footage, I'm struck both by how well simulators like DCS capture the experience, but also the little things they miss. For one, most such games lack the level of cockpit glare that real fighter jets have. But mainly it's a subtle aspect of the planes move: real planes, weighing as much as they do, have a lot of inertia, and so motion isn't as instant and light as games make it feel. There's a slight delay and period of acceleration when the aircraft is turning that games don't quite seem to get right that drastically impacts how well they capture the experience of flying.

[@CrzBonKerz21]

This would easily be one of the most exciting these to do.

[@unit0033]

cracking scenery, dont have this in uk, mostly carved up into fields.

[@humpben]

These guys used to do this where i grey up near susanville california, you would be out fishing and a jet would fly by...then a minute or so later a few more would fly by. and then nothing

[@MarkBall3]

This is so cool, reminds me of Reece flights in Phantoms ROK!!! Sure miss it.

[@TheTipsyMidget]

you know he had to have some oh shit moments in that river

[@DogmaFaucet]

Awesome, thanks! I can't wait for Google to get it processed. The wait can be several hours.

[@bunating]

very cool when they follow the river like a race track

[@RedFoxAce]

Thank you for not adding music

[@The858Mike]

you can't from that angle, but the pilot has a big shield over the dash and he can see it just fine from his seat

[@CooperWatsonj]

Love it can't wait till I get to fly! :)

[@RayMiller73]

Tiefer geht nun wirklich nicht mehr. Dies ohne Fehler zu fliegen grenz an ein Wunder. Wie geht es eigentlich den Menschen, die gerade dort spazieren waren?

[@nh6milhistory]

Wikipedia: "Nap-of-the-earth (abbreviated NOE) is a type of very low-altitude flight course used by military aircraft to avoid enemy detection and attack in a high-threat environment." ;

[@gsesteve]

I wanted to be a Naval aviator when I was a kid.Ended up with submarines.USN 1974-1980.

[@stormchaser419]

Is his height above the stream bed about 220 feet do you think?

[@The858Mike]

The description says "nap of the earth"? I believe you mean map of the earth

[@toobasaurus23]

Going ballistic, Mav! Go get 'em!

[@baldassassin1]

dude it's an F18 from numerous shadows, but most important F16 Control stick is on the right side of cockpit not the center as this video shows.

[@christopherglenn2984]

Damn what a pilot!!💯

[@williamsteele3662]

what do you think? going through the river canyon, is it for real or is it not. Seems a bit to low to slow for manouvering an f18. Might be wrong.

[@beroth1]

Imagine being a guy just chillin on the ravine... So peaceful, then he sees an F-18 doing 600 kts over his head WTF??? lol awesome footage

[@stoneface1099]

Man that was really close around 3:45, holy shit... can any pilots explain why he was going inverted like that? Is it a tactical thing or just showing off.. made my hands sweat just watching.. incredible.

[@mifune9634]

I think he's trying to avoid pulling negative Gs. Also, because he's flying so low over uneven terrain, I think he wants to maintain sight with the terrain below him when he's descending.

[@davidgoodwin16]

Imagine being out for a walk on one of those ridges and seeing that thing scream over.

[@viper20212]

Those guys are good! Must have spent lots of time in the simulator beforehand...

[@SVJMIA]

yes. a lot faster! but you can't pull those turns at a higher rate of speed because the G forces will be way too high

[@hionthemountain]

I would had lost it had I been on that ride ...lol That's some kick ass piloting, wow!

[@DogmaFaucet]

Please check the box that allows Google to process this for 3D!

[@strikeeagle345]

yes, a friend of mine worked on this guys jets.

[@20jonnyboy]

Do you have any video's of you doing flying faster the speed of sound?? I would love to see one of them. The fly by video's they have are okay but I wanna see what it looks like in the cockpit.

[@omgwtfxu]

VR1251 cool training route

[@CheapSushi]

fantastic footage

[@3snowyman]

The kestrels actually do have an F. navy(dot)mil/view_single(dot)asp?id=113319 (Second aircraft from the right.) I think they only have a couple though, as they are used for training purposes only I believe.

[@Goobertube69]

That was awesome! And at 1080 on the big screen :)

[@johnsanders6838]

These guys get to do this most days, and get paid for the pleasure, that really is living the dream

[@Cash_McCoy]

That's awesome! I was actually born not too far from where he's flying in Northern Cali. Looks like he's pulling some pretty good G's at about 4:17 :}

[@burnandtwist]

They certainly have one of the hardest fast jet pilot jobs - it takes real skill to be able to land an F-18 on an aircraft carrier in pitch black.

[@Mentaculus42]

In a storm, with the carrier deck moving up and down in the DARK where you not only had to trap, but also have to sync up with the carrier’s movement. Went to college with someone who did that in F-18s and he had some colorful words to describe the experience. His callsign was “Fangs”, for real.

[@Pownyan]

Nice flying! really beautiful nature to :)

[@cherifbar]

California and flying, what a life!

[@SHRIKE427]

Looks like he read chapter two... Nice ride...

[@ExtremeRecluse]

I was doing this kind of stuff in a UH-60 in Korea. Sometimes the Koreans will run a power cable from hilltop to hilltop. We were doing NOE flying around 120 knots. I am always scanning for new wires. I could see something coming up but not clearly. Sure enough, a wire about 40 feet off the ground. Pulled the stick into my gut and went straight up for about 200 feet. Got to be real careful because you never know what will pop up.

[@markw6586]

Id really like to play this game, what platform and where can i buy it???lol. Makes it look so easy!

[@Mentaculus42]

The Fighter Pilot Podcast has a video of the “Sidewinder Low Level” ending at Jedi Transition that is on the average is better than the best of this video. Actually I think it is better than that new Topgun movie as it is real and not a computer cheat. The highlight is the F-18 threading between the “Needles” on a knife edge. Many times more intense than the “Mach Loop” in Wales!

[@maximilliangenius5572]

SAM evading maneuver..... But the terrain has a higher P/K (probability of kill) ratio than the SAM....

[@SpyOpz94]

This is amazing

[@er9vbg8yegveq98]

Hi guys I got 3 questions 4 the xperts : 1)How effective could be a moving tank division with anti-Aircraft missiles against a fighter Aircraft? 2)And what about a static target as a factory protected by anti-Aircraft missiles? 3)Anyway is there an effective ground weapon wich could sistematically destroy figher and bomber air-craft? (made in Russia?)