Ricker's Radar Screen: 2006

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Reno 2006 Day Five

The Sikorsky flying boat that starred in the movie Aviator takes an early morning flight past the home pylon at Reno.

Reno 2006 Day Five

The Air Force Reserve Above and Beyond Jet Car, driven by Scott Hammack, races and beats Michael Goulian in Scott's last
race at Reno after 20 years.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety took exception to Scott exceeding the speed limit by 300 mph.

They wrote him a ticket with a fine of $200,000.

Reno 2006 Day Five

The Jet Class pace plane taxis back to the pits after losing part of his canopy during takeoff.

Reno 2006 Day Five

The crowd was treated to a flyby from a Boeing 707 owned and piloted by actor John Travolta.

Unlimited Race pilots perfom the missing man formation prior to the running of the Gold Championship Race. They were honoring Art Vance, president of the Unlimited Class who died in a crash last October returning from an air show. The P-51 leaving the formation was flown by Art's son, Dan.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Reno 2006 Day Four

A KC-130 of the Alaska Air National Guard takes off to drop jumpers who delivered the American flag below at the start of today's welcoming ceremonies.

Reno 2006 Day Four

Kent Pietsch touches the left wingtip of his 1941 Interstate Cadet on the tarmac during his drunken pilot act.

Kent pietsch lands his 1941 Interstate Cadet atop a moving aircraft carrier that doubles as his RV.

Kent Pietsch has his crew drive his plane atop the RV past the grandstand crowd. He later flew the plane off the top of the RV.

Reno 2006 Day Four

One of the few F-4 Phantoms still being flown by human pilots. Most are being used as target drones. Old F-4 pilots are fond of saying that the Phantom was testament to the fact that if you put a big enough engine on something it will fly.

Reno 2006 Day Four

Thunderbirds 5 and 6 provide the crowd with a virtual mirror image.

Reno 2006 Day Four

Unlimited racer Precious Metal moves to pas the F8F Bearcat of Texan Howard Pardue.

Friday, September 15, 2006

Reno 2006 Day Three

At 8 a.m. today, the temperature was 48 degrees with 18 mph winds gusting to 25 mph out of the southwest. Yet, both the Formula One Class and the Sport Biplane Class (above) flew and flew well.

Reno 2006 Day Three

An F-15 Eagle goes supersonic at show center.

Reno 2006 Day Three

The Tailhook Legacy Flight features fighters that have served the U.S. Navy through the years. Leading the formation is a F6F Hellcat, followed by an FJ4 Fury (the navy version of the F-86 Sabre), an F8F Bearcat and bringing up the rear is an FA-18 Super Hornet.

Reno 2006 Day Three

The Thunderbirds performed their "low show" due to the high winds. Here, Thunderbird One flies straight over the grandstand crowd.

Reno 2006 Day Three

Aerobatics pilot Michael Goulian puts on a show for the cold crowd at Stead Field.

Reno 2006 Day Three

The frontrunner for the Unlimited gold appears to be Mike Brown's September Fury.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Reno 2006 Day Two

Yesterday it was Thunderbird 8 who showed up. Today the rest of the team conducted a survey flight of the air space. Here, Thunderbirds 5 and 6 pass each other just in front of the crowd.

Reno 2006 Day Two

A passenger flight of a different sort. Gene Soucy takes wing-walker Teresa Stokes for a ride.

Reno 2006 Day Two

Kent Pietsch lands his 1941 Interstate Cadet atop an RV that is moving at 60 mph down the runaway.

Reno 2006 Day Two

This is the Heritage Flight. The propellar-driven aircraft are P-51 Mustangs. The jet at the top is an F-15 Eagle. The jet at the bottom is an F-4 Phantom.

Reno 2006 Day Two

Strega out for an early morning workout.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Reno 2006 Day One

A familiar sight to air racing fans. The home pylon at Reno Stead Field.

Reno 2006 Day One

This beautiful P-40 Warhawk is on display in the heritage area.

Reno 2006 Day One

Rare Bear departs for a qualification run which ended with a couple of loud pops in his engine.
There will be late nights in the Rare Bear pits.

Reno 2006 Day One

Thunderbird 8 showed up in early afternoon to scout the airfield

Reno 2006 Day One

The T-6/SNJ Class is trying a new start that brings them in front of the grandstands in formation.

Reno 2006 Day One

The Jet Class raced today with John Penney winning his heat race.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Shave and a hair cut..two bits!

We took Kato and Kona to the beauty parlor today. The result for Kato was quite revealing.

Shave and a hair cut..two bits!

Those of you who know us are aware that we have a dog door to the backyard. We also have some oleander bushes and a tree that sheds acorns. Kato has been sampling the leaves from the bushes and acorns from the trees. Thus, while the boys were at the beauty parlor, we fenced off the backyard to limit them to the west side of the house.