Low Bomb Burst

"How To" by our Pilot Staff
Post Reply
User avatar
Kujo
Virtual Thunderbird
Posts: 29
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2015 2:30 pm
Location: Las Vegas, NV

Low Bomb Burst

Post by Kujo » Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:56 am

Hey all, I've been aware of how the Thunderbirds perform their High Bomb Burst maneuver, but could never see how they get their cross to be on time for the low version. How is this achieved? Where do the diamond pilots point in relation to the showline? And how does the turn-in concept work? Any info would be greatly appreciated :smile:
User avatar
Tailhook
Virtual Thunderbird Alumnus
Posts: 1052
Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:17 pm
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: Low Bomb Burst

Post by Tailhook » Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:45 pm

Image
Snake
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2015 2:15 pm
Location: Michigan, USA

Re: Low Bomb Burst

Post by Snake » Sun Sep 09, 2018 12:31 am

Prior to this comment, I have not watched the attached video above but I recall hearing that it was semi-similar to the NFDS Low Break Cross meaning that the pilots break outbound onto a set line and then make a turn to whatever the new predetermined run-in line is for said number.
User avatar
Lawndart
Virtual Thunderbird
Posts: 9290
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:36 am
Location: Mooresville, NC

Re: Low Bomb Burst

Post by Lawndart » Sun Sep 09, 2018 1:04 am

Post let out, when the Leader is 1.5 DME past the Bomb Burst marker, he calls for all aircraft to turn smoke off and #2 and #3 to initiate level, left turns to intercept a 3.2 DME arc. When the Leader is 2.5 DME from the Bomb Burst marker, he then calls for #1 and #4 to begin maneuvering to intercept a 3.5 DME arc around the BB. #4 makes a left turn, and #1 makes a right turn to fly their respective arcs.

From the 3.5 DME arc the Leader starts the final turn to his run-in line and begins a communication cadence to allow the
other pilots to match him and visually acquire the landmarks for their run-in lines with the goal being to arrive at 12,000 feet from the BB at the same time and go smoke on on the Leader’s call for the cross. From that point the Low BB crossover is flown the same way as the High BB crossover.
Post Reply