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Blue Angels' support craft 'Fat Albert' puts on a show

Practice flights mark unofficial start to this weekend’s air show.

Spectators watch preparations Friday, July 16, for the Vectren Dayton Air Show, which will be held today and Sunday at the Dayton International Airport. The main attraction is the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aerial demonstration team and its support aircraft, a C-130T Hercules cargo plane known as

Ty Greenlees Spectators watch preparations Friday, July 16, for the Vectren Dayton Air Show, which will be held today and Sunday at the Dayton International Airport. The main attraction is the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aerial demonstration team and its support aircraft, a C-130T Hercules cargo plane known as "Fat Albert." Staff photos by Ty Greenlees

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By Thomas Gnau, Staff Writer Updated 11:55 PM Friday, July 16, 2010

DAYTON — One of the highlights of the Vectren Dayton Air Show that begins today, July 17, at the Dayton International Airport is the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying their six F/A-18 Hornets.

But Blue Angels performances have, in a way, already started. Visitors have parked off Dixie Drive and elsewhere since Wednesday to watch practice flights by that team and others. And on Friday, Angels pilots and crew members met with young people being assisted by the Special Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to grant the wishes of those 21 and younger who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening ailment.

But the Angels’ powerful performances wouldn’t be possible without the support of the team’s C-130T Hercules cargo plane — the tactical transport that hauls 35,000 pounds of cargo, everything from huge tool pallets to spare tires to public affairs materials.

The plane is lovingly dubbed “Fat Albert,” but don’t let that name fool you: This plane doesn’t move like she’s fat.

But move she does. Like the Hornets she supports, the C-130 also performs for air show crowds. Capt. Ben Blanton, pilot of the Fat Albert, said the plane performs in 70 shows in 35 places a year.

The Fat Albert demonstrated her run Friday, at one point moving at almost 200 mph just five feet off the ground. At 60 feet from the ground, the plane was moving at some 370 mph.

“I promise you, this will be like no other C-130 ride you have ever been on,” said Maj. Brendan Burks, who sits to the right of the pilot.

He was serious. Crew members handed air sickness bags to guests, advising them how to use the bags and telling them that if they had to be sick, they were expected to take the bags with them after the 10-minute demonstration.

“If you start feeling sick, look at the horizon,” advised Rick Ramsey, petty officer second class. “It helps a lot.”

Passengers experienced weightlessness three times on the demo ride. And in a landing approach, the plane heads toward the ground at a 25-degree angle — a normal glide approach is about three degrees — stopping the 100,000-pound craft over 1,200 to 1,500 feet.

In other words, the pilot slams the brakes.

But all these show moves aren’t for show. They help the plane avoid small arms fire in combat situations. The C-130, crew members said, has no defenses other than the skills of pilots and crew members.

“These are the techniques we use to stay alive,” Blanton said.

The air show begins with an 11 a.m. opening ceremony.

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