Airshow at Edwards AFB

Aircraft Review Flyby

One of the unique events that happens during an air show at Edwards is the Aircraft Review. This Review gives the audience a wonderful opportunity to see how the planes compare in size when in flight. Other Air Shows rarely include reviews and, even when they do, they are typically only two to five airplanes that fly by.

At the 2003 Edwards air show, the crowd was treated to a rather large review flyby consisting of 12 aircraft. In the span of about one minute, they flew by in small segmented groups.

	Far off in the distance, the 12 aircraft seem to be right next to each other.
	The complete Aircraft Review. They are from left to right: B-2, B-1, C-130, KC-135, F-117, F-15, F-16, C-17 (below), trainer, T-38, F-15 and F-16. Notice how the forty-year-old KC-135 and trainer put out more visible exhaust than the newer planes.
	As the Review gets closer, it becomes apparent that the aircraft are really in several groups.
	The bigger aircraft are the last two groups.
	The newer fighters are the second group to pass.
	Back view of the fighters. The Review is great for comparing the sizes of the different airplanes. On the ground, the F-117 Stealth Fighter (far right) looks relatively small but, as this Review shows, it is about the same size as the F-15 fighter (center).
	Two of the Air Force's active duty, primary bombers are the B-2 Flying Wing (left) and the B-1. The other bomber (not in the Review) is the aging B-52.
	The Review, once again, shows just how big these planes are. On the ground, you wouldn't think that the B-2 flying wing (left) is this close in size to the B-1 (right).
	Back view of the two bombers.
	Part of the review heads out towards the setting sun.