My Date With Bert
MY DATE WITH BERT ( A ride with the Blue Angels aboard their C-130 "Fat Albert")
Story and photography by Chris Buff
April 4, 2009
I have been fascinated with all aspects of aviation since I was a young child. I grew up in the 1960’s, daydreaming about being a fighter pilot or astronaut, and maybe even flying with the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds some day. I eventually came to realize that I did not have “The Right Stuff “, but I did pursue my private pilots license and earned my wings in 1986. While that provided great personal satisfaction, I watched the years quickly tick by and had just come to terms with the sad fact that my ride on a space shuttle or with the Blues or Thunderbirds, was never going to happen.
On April 4, 2009, while on assignment for World Airshow News, I arrive at the Tuscaloosa Airport to photograph the 2009 Tuscaloosa Airshow headlined by the Blue Angels. More than 120,000 people turned out for the first Tuscaloosa appearance by the Blues in over 20 years. As I get out of my car, I notice one of the Blue Angels public affairs officers heading towards the flight line. I had met the gentlemen earlier in the year at another show. I call out to him that if they had any room in #7, or Fat Albert, I would love to take a ride! The Blue’s PAO smiled and asked if I had a business card, saying that he would call if Fat Albert had any spots available. 90 minutes later, I get a call from the Blue Angels PAO asking me to come to the Blue Angels staging hangar. I was begining to suspect a flight with the Blue Angels on Fat Albert might actually happen! Fat Albert or “Bert”, is the Blue Angels C-130 Hercules support aircraft which also performs an impressive flight demonstration to kick off the Blue Angels shows.
I arrive at the staging hangar where Blue Angels Supply Specialist, Andy Mucciarone, was holding out a "sign you life away" card and said “The Blue Angels and Fat Albert Airlines would love for you to fly with us today.” I was quite surprised and actually had to think for a minute. After all, there would be some risk and I have a wife and three kids to think about. In addition, this meant that I might miss some of the airshow action that I was there to shoot. After a few minutes of consideration, and imagining the ridicule that my wife, kids and friends would offer if I was stupid enough to pass on the opportunity, I signed on the dotted line. And so began one of the most memorable days of my life!
I won’t try to recap the entire day’s activities, but one of the many highlights was the briefing by the Blue Angels C-130 pilot, Major Brendan Burks. Major Burks explained that flying on Fat Albert Airlines, would be like no other “airline” flight that we had ever experienced. Major Burks then briefed us on how our flight would begin. “We will run the engines up to full power, then release brakes and accelerate to 135 knots. At which time we will retract the gear and then continue to accelerate at 4 feet of altitude, until we reach 200 knots. At that point I will pull up hard to commence a 45 degree climb to 1500 feet and then push over. When I push over you will experience approximately 3-5 seconds of weightlessness and ……. “
As the pre-flight briefing began, I was beginning to wonder how Bert and I were going to get along. At this point, we were told to board the C-130 and choose our seat. I noticed that we each had a sick sack beside us. I thought to myself, "oh boy, I really hope that this thing is still unused by the end of the flight. Once belted in, we received another briefing which included: “Fat Albert Airlines passengers are expected to carry off everything that they have brought aboard the aircraft. If you feel sick, please use the sick sack we have provided. If you do have to use the bag, don’t be embarrassed, just open it up and show it to the passenger next to you…you won’t be the only one”
I must confess that after boarding and watching the ramp close, my nerves were really getting the best of me. Obviously I was excited and thrilled to be flying on “Bert”, but I still had reservations. Would I be able to keep my breakfast down during the flight? Although I am a pilot and flown hundreds of times without any problem, it had been a decade since I had last pulled serious G’s or aerobatics of any kind. The last time I did so; it had left me more than a little queasy and regretting my choice of breakfast. And then there was the photography. Would I even remember to take photos while banking, climbing and diving over the Alabama countryside? I decided to calm myself by looking around the cabin for something to photograph that would convey what was going on in the aircraft.
The Fat Albert demonstration ride turned out to be amazing and fun. The best way that I can describe a Fat Albert performance is that it was like a very intense roller coaster ride. The demonstration was flown precisely as briefed. We experienced a wide range of physical sensations created by 60 degree bank turns, 45 degree climbs, high speed passes and zero G pushovers which had everyone floating out of their seats.
The assault landing was a fitting end to the flight as Bert was planted firmly on the runway, engines quickly reversed and then maximum braking applied. The rear ramp opened, letting in a mix a fresh air, smoke and the distinctive smell of burning rubber and hot brakes.
I got off of Bert sweaty and tired, but elated. It dawned on me that I had just realized one of my life long dreams, I had just flown with the Blue Angels! I came away very impressed by the absolute professionalism and dedication exhibited by every member of the team. Each passenger riding Fat Albert is treated as if they were the most important cargo ever carried by the Blues.
I must offer my sincere appreciation to Major Burks, Capt Jorge, the US Navy, Marines and the entire Blue Angels team. A special thank you goes to SK2 (AW/SW) Supply Specialist Andy Mucciarone, who made this dream come true. Now I guess I have to start working on a way to get into #7.
By the way, my sick sack stayed neatly folded in my pocket. It turns out that Bert and I got along just fine.
Read MoreStory and photography by Chris Buff
April 4, 2009
I have been fascinated with all aspects of aviation since I was a young child. I grew up in the 1960’s, daydreaming about being a fighter pilot or astronaut, and maybe even flying with the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds some day. I eventually came to realize that I did not have “The Right Stuff “, but I did pursue my private pilots license and earned my wings in 1986. While that provided great personal satisfaction, I watched the years quickly tick by and had just come to terms with the sad fact that my ride on a space shuttle or with the Blues or Thunderbirds, was never going to happen.
On April 4, 2009, while on assignment for World Airshow News, I arrive at the Tuscaloosa Airport to photograph the 2009 Tuscaloosa Airshow headlined by the Blue Angels. More than 120,000 people turned out for the first Tuscaloosa appearance by the Blues in over 20 years. As I get out of my car, I notice one of the Blue Angels public affairs officers heading towards the flight line. I had met the gentlemen earlier in the year at another show. I call out to him that if they had any room in #7, or Fat Albert, I would love to take a ride! The Blue’s PAO smiled and asked if I had a business card, saying that he would call if Fat Albert had any spots available. 90 minutes later, I get a call from the Blue Angels PAO asking me to come to the Blue Angels staging hangar. I was begining to suspect a flight with the Blue Angels on Fat Albert might actually happen! Fat Albert or “Bert”, is the Blue Angels C-130 Hercules support aircraft which also performs an impressive flight demonstration to kick off the Blue Angels shows.
I arrive at the staging hangar where Blue Angels Supply Specialist, Andy Mucciarone, was holding out a "sign you life away" card and said “The Blue Angels and Fat Albert Airlines would love for you to fly with us today.” I was quite surprised and actually had to think for a minute. After all, there would be some risk and I have a wife and three kids to think about. In addition, this meant that I might miss some of the airshow action that I was there to shoot. After a few minutes of consideration, and imagining the ridicule that my wife, kids and friends would offer if I was stupid enough to pass on the opportunity, I signed on the dotted line. And so began one of the most memorable days of my life!
I won’t try to recap the entire day’s activities, but one of the many highlights was the briefing by the Blue Angels C-130 pilot, Major Brendan Burks. Major Burks explained that flying on Fat Albert Airlines, would be like no other “airline” flight that we had ever experienced. Major Burks then briefed us on how our flight would begin. “We will run the engines up to full power, then release brakes and accelerate to 135 knots. At which time we will retract the gear and then continue to accelerate at 4 feet of altitude, until we reach 200 knots. At that point I will pull up hard to commence a 45 degree climb to 1500 feet and then push over. When I push over you will experience approximately 3-5 seconds of weightlessness and ……. “
As the pre-flight briefing began, I was beginning to wonder how Bert and I were going to get along. At this point, we were told to board the C-130 and choose our seat. I noticed that we each had a sick sack beside us. I thought to myself, "oh boy, I really hope that this thing is still unused by the end of the flight. Once belted in, we received another briefing which included: “Fat Albert Airlines passengers are expected to carry off everything that they have brought aboard the aircraft. If you feel sick, please use the sick sack we have provided. If you do have to use the bag, don’t be embarrassed, just open it up and show it to the passenger next to you…you won’t be the only one”
I must confess that after boarding and watching the ramp close, my nerves were really getting the best of me. Obviously I was excited and thrilled to be flying on “Bert”, but I still had reservations. Would I be able to keep my breakfast down during the flight? Although I am a pilot and flown hundreds of times without any problem, it had been a decade since I had last pulled serious G’s or aerobatics of any kind. The last time I did so; it had left me more than a little queasy and regretting my choice of breakfast. And then there was the photography. Would I even remember to take photos while banking, climbing and diving over the Alabama countryside? I decided to calm myself by looking around the cabin for something to photograph that would convey what was going on in the aircraft.
The Fat Albert demonstration ride turned out to be amazing and fun. The best way that I can describe a Fat Albert performance is that it was like a very intense roller coaster ride. The demonstration was flown precisely as briefed. We experienced a wide range of physical sensations created by 60 degree bank turns, 45 degree climbs, high speed passes and zero G pushovers which had everyone floating out of their seats.
The assault landing was a fitting end to the flight as Bert was planted firmly on the runway, engines quickly reversed and then maximum braking applied. The rear ramp opened, letting in a mix a fresh air, smoke and the distinctive smell of burning rubber and hot brakes.
I got off of Bert sweaty and tired, but elated. It dawned on me that I had just realized one of my life long dreams, I had just flown with the Blue Angels! I came away very impressed by the absolute professionalism and dedication exhibited by every member of the team. Each passenger riding Fat Albert is treated as if they were the most important cargo ever carried by the Blues.
I must offer my sincere appreciation to Major Burks, Capt Jorge, the US Navy, Marines and the entire Blue Angels team. A special thank you goes to SK2 (AW/SW) Supply Specialist Andy Mucciarone, who made this dream come true. Now I guess I have to start working on a way to get into #7.
By the way, my sick sack stayed neatly folded in my pocket. It turns out that Bert and I got along just fine.
