How badly does this video make you wish you were a Navy F/A-18 pilot...at least for one day?

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 08:09:40 -0500

My heart seriously stopped beating during parts of this video. Some of these F/A-18 low-level maneuvers are insane to me. They are maneuvering literally right off the surface of the water at such ridiculous speed! I showed this to a Navy friend of mine and his reaction was, "I used to see jets almost every day, and this video still made me say 'holy s---'."

This clip also made me appreciate how little I understand about non-Army aviation assets, since this F/A-18 fighter aircraft is so different from the attack aviation assets I got to know during my time in service. I can't imagine the rush you must get while flying this F/A-18 in maneuvers like this, and to be honest it gave me a whole new level of respect for Navy pilots and those who operate in Navy aviation units. I hope we can get some comments from RP members who know a lot about Navy aviation -- share your knowledge on this aircraft and others!

** Question for RP members: Based on your actual experiences, which single aircraft left the biggest impression on you? **

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Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfOD2y_AD_w

F/A-18 Super Hornet Hi-Speed Low-Level Maneuvers • Cockpit View

Spectacular footage of F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets as they takeoff and land aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Video includes the airc...

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 20 at 2015 8:39 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 08:39:50 -0500

That video was awesome and the landings were insane I mean you land on an aircraft carrier that is moving and forward and up and down. No roller coaster or flight simulator can prepare you for this.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Feb 20 at 2015 8:47 AM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 08:47:27 -0500

Pull some Gs, then get back to me.

Response by CW4 Brian Haas made Feb 21 at 2015 10:46 AM

CW4 Brian Haas — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 10:46:55 -0500

I'll take my AH-64D anytime.

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Feb 21 at 2015 11:03 AM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 11:03:06 -0500

Go Navy! Awesome video. Respect.

Response by LTC Geoff Metcalf made Feb 21 at 2015 1:27 PM

LTC Geoff Metcalf — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 13:27:39 -0500

I had the opportunity to fly with the Blue Angels during Fleet Week in San Francisco. As a former Special Forces Officer I got to do a lot of 'Hooah' stuff (Parachute, rappel from helicopters, fast rope, etc.). My 45 minutes in an F-18 was beyond way cool. However, as cool as it was, I would rather be back with the teams....

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Feb 21 at 2015 1:41 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 13:41:10 -0500

Excellent video CPT Aaron Kletzing. Shows how skilled you need to be when landing an aircraft that carries 22,000 lbs of thrust per engine on a moving ocean platform. Still don't know how they do it! For an artillery guy, I'm personally impressed with the flying videos you find.
A few aviators that may appreciate this: CAPT David Bryant Col Patrick Charters Maj Private RallyPoint Member Maj Tyrone Frost Maj Edmund Gibson

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Feb 21 at 2015 2:15 PM

SGT Mark Sullivan — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 14:15:32 -0500

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 1:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 01:52:41 -0500

I personally do not wish to do anything in the Navy, LOL! If I was going to be a Jet Pilot it would be in the Air-Force.

Seriously though I am still thinking of learning to fly. I am already a Skydive and fly my body which is Amazing!

Therefore, I do not need a video to entice me. Flying is Awesome.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 2:03 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 02:03:02 -0500

CPT Aaron Kletzing None whatsoever. On the other hand, what about Judge Judy?

Response by LCpl Ray Jaeger made Feb 22 at 2015 11:53 PM

LCpl Ray Jaeger — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 23:53:41 -0500

Worked on these in the Corps, loved them then and still do. Now I work for Boeing writing the maintenance manuals for them.