Posted on 07/31/2015 12:08:57 PM PDT by EveningStar
Until you get to know Sean D. Tucker, it's hard to understand why he chooses to make a living by risking his life.
But take a moment to watch what he does. It's magical.
Watch him fly hundreds of miles an hour and thousands of feet high -- twirling, tumbling and twisting his airplane in ways you never thought possible ...
Tucker is an aerobatic pilot -- among the best in the world. He calls it a form of art ...
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
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Most dangerous job?
In a word: NO.
Heck, average fighter pilot does all that. . .and more. Just doesn’t do it over crowds.
Uhhhh, no. I do.
Blue Angels, Thunderbirds do
Over crowds, yes, but my point being the average fighter pilot, not just the ones that look good on a recruiting poster (Blue Angels/T-Birds), do what this guys does—and a heck of a lot faster than that guy.
Wyatt exited the aircraft wearing a huge smile. “He did a complete barrel roll,” Tucker says. “My hands weren’t even touching the controls!”
Totally against Young Eagles rules.
Not to mention he gets paid more than fighter jocks. From the looks of it, a lot more.
I’d say a Marine Corporal at some FOB in Afghanistan probably has the most dangerous job “in America.”
Neither do the Military demo teams. They plan their flying so that it does not pass over the crowds. It is a FAA requirement for an aerial demo. Aerobatics are not dangerous unless you are really inexperienced or try them too close to the ground or both. Military pilots are all taught Aerobatics as part of their basic flight training.
My sailplane instructor placed second in the world sailplane aerobatic championships. With no engine, you have to work with gravity and the aerodynamic qualities of your sailplane. Loops, rolls, all kinds of fun stuff, and you have to do it without running out of altitude. Her name is Nancy Blank, and she's one hell of a pilot.
Better said near crowds, not over. However, when pre-positioning for the low altitude high speed run, sometimes zip over people and boy-howdy, does that wake everyone up.
I know. . .but as it is said; during peacetime they pay me to much fly fighters upside down, shoot missiles and drop bombs. . .and during war, they can’t pay me enough. . .
;-)
Small wonder why there is now major interest in using small drones loaded with agrichemicals as replacements for cropdusting planes.
Yup. . .but not a fighter pilot.
You do know there are two types of aircraft. . .fighters and targets.
;-)
Love Sean Tucker!!!! I’ve seen him fly at a couple of airshows. They broadcast him live from the cockpit as he’s flying. He’s a one man show. The man loves to fly.
She looks kinda familiar, and she's from Florence AZ. I wonder if she flew at Estrella in the late 70's early 80's? I might have met her then.
Not really. They don't like negative g's. And many of the maneuvers can't be done in a jet.
Apples and oranges.
Me too. I gained a new respect for him a couple of years ago -- I was invited to hear the greatest living aviator speak at a private forum -- Bob Hoover. I couldn't attend but a close relative did, and Bob talked for at least 45 minutes (he's in his 90's now). Anyway he was chaperoned and introduced by none other than Sean Tucker.
Any friend of Bob Hoover is a friend of mine.
Good story. Bet is was probably one of Sean’s most memorable moments to introduce Mr. Hoover.
How do you spin like that without losing focus?!
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