Another T-Bird Frequency Update

As folks attend air shows this season we continue to receive frequency reports from the field on frequencies that have been heard or uncovered by the various air show performers. We use these reports, including reports that verify the frequencies in our annual MT Air Show Guide, to compile the next guide that will be released in the March 2013 MT.

This latest report comes from another north easterner Brian Topolski. During the Atlantic City air show, “Thunder Over The Boardwalk.” According to Brian "the Thunderbirds were providing a live video feed from inside the jet cockpit to a huge video screen on the Atlantic City boardwalk. Their comm-cart was set up directly on the boardwalk and I was able to get a close look at it. I noticed a rack mounted receiver, and a screen readout of: (CH-3) 4845.0 MHz."

Brian confirmed with one of the team members that the frequency listed above on the comm-cart was providing the video feed.

So this will be an interesting frequency range to explore. Wonder whether the frequency is analog NTSC or the newer digital standard video used by US television stations these days?

That is it for this report. If you attend an air show this season we want to hear from you. Even if the freqs you monitored are in our guide, your report is still valuable to us to confirm and verify the current frequencies being used by the various air show performers. You can reach us in the address in the masthead.

73 and good hunting de Larry

Air Show Report - Great Tennessee Air Show Smyrna

received the following great air show report from Joe Cobb in Nashville. He reported on a new previously unknown Leap Frogs UHF frequency. Thanks for sharing with the Milcom MP readers Joe.


Air Show review:

Saturday was a good day. It rained early then remained cloudy but high clouds so a low show could be performed. The static display lineup was much better than last year. Unfortunately the weather on Sunday didn't cooperate fully and really killed the crowd which is unfortunate because I thought the show organizers really tried to make it a good show despite not having any single ship demos. However, on Sat SLAM 1, a flight of two B-1B's, made their way from Nellis to our area for SLAM 1 only to make three passes which were AWESOME! From here he rejoined SLAM 2 orbiting and they headed to Dyess. The close call on my 396XT happened to snag SLAM a/a after he was out of sight headed to rejoin #2. I was very pleased with the 396 coupled with the Watson Air Gainer antenna. All the performers were top notch. On Sunday the Blues performed a flat show.

Frequencies (same for both days)

118.5/233.1--Tower
132.35----Air Boss
120.6-----Discrete
122.125--Blue Angels/John Klatt A/A for photo shoot*
123.475--All aerobatic planes A/A for photo shoot*
461.0375--Leap Frogs **
256.15-----SLAM 1 A/A with SLAM 2 (close call hit)
305.9------Blue Angels/Ernie Demo
346.5------Blue Angels/Check list, Taxi Out
284.25----Blue Angels/Show Center (All)
275.35----Blue Angels/Off Center (Diamond)
237.8------Blue Angels/Off Center (Solos)
139.8125--Blue Angels Maint
142.6125--Blue Angels Tower Observer
172.15-----TSA roaming the grounds (P25)

Notes: * Photo Shoots were done on Thursday. ** Unusual frequency for the Leap Frogs but sure enough that was them.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Flying Displays:

Ernie (Blue Angel 9)
Blue Angels 1-6
B-1B (SLAM 1), #86-0105, 3 passes
Michael Wiskus (Pitts S-2C), N49TA
John Klatt (Extra 300), N530JK
Rob Holland (Extra 300), N540JH
F4U Corsair, N179PT
P-51D Mustang, N51HY
----------------------------------------------------------
Static Displays:

KC-10A, 305th AMW, McGuire, #84-0188
KC-135R, 134th ARW, Knoxville, #57-1428
WC-130H, 118th AW, Nashville, #64-14861
C-5A, 164th AW, Memphis, #69-0010
MH-60S, HSC-2, Norfolk, #165744/HU-715
MH-53E, HM-14, Norfolk, #163069/BJ-555
AH-1W, HMLA-773, Robins, #165290/MP-03
UH-1N, HMLA-773, Robins, #158269/MP-12
UH-60A, 278th ACR, Smyrna, #????
UH-72A, ????????, Smyrna, #?????
F-15C, 159th FW, New Orleans, #78-0510/JZ
F-15C, 159th FW, New Orleans, #81-0041/JZ
F-5N, VFC-13, Fallon, #761528/AF-06
F/A-18C, VFA-94, Lemoore, #164202/410
F/A-18C, VFA-94, Lemoore, #164223/402
CF-188, 425 Sq, Bagotville, #188790
L-39, Private, N6175C
T-38A, 394th CTS, Whiteman, #64-13256/WM
T-6B, TAW-5, Whiting Field, #166114/E-114
T-45C, TAW-2, Kingsville, #167099/B-321
T-45C, TAW-2, Kingsville, #167098/B-320
F/A-18E, VFA-86, Lemoore, #166951/NH-401

Thousands Attend El Centro Air Show

Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski, a pilot assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, taxis with Maj. John Gallemore, assigned to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, on the runway at Naval Air Facility El Centro. The Thunderbirds are visiting the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, to conduct exchange orientation flights before starting the official 2011 show season. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Julia A. Casper/Released)

Blog Editor Note: Now as we get into the air show season, I want to remind my readers that your air show reports are critical to keeping our annual MT Air Ahow Guide up-to-date. Please send your reports to the email address in the masthead above. Even if the freqs are on our list, we use all the freqs heard at a show to confirm and verify the frequency information we provide in our guide. If you hear it, we can use it. As always we are grateful for any and all reports we receive during the air show season.

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Benjamin Crossley, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

EL CENTRO, Calif. (NNS) -- Approximately 45,000 spectators attended the Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro Air Show in El Centro, Calif., March 12.

The show featured more than 20 events, multiple military and civilian aerial demonstrations, as well as vintage aircraft on static display.

"It's an opportunity to give back to the community for all the support the community gives us throughout the year," said Cmdr. Erik Franzen, NAF El Centro executive officer. "It's kicking off the air show season."

One of the highlights during the air show was the Blue Angels, the Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron.

"NAF El Centro is the winter home to the Blue Angels," said Franzen. "They do all of their practicing here in preparation for their upcoming show schedule. Their first show is here at NAF El Centro every year."

"I saw the Blue Angels in 1964, and they haven't changed," said Ed Chadek, a spectator at the air show. "They are just awesome; it was a great show."

A member of the "Black Daggers", the United States Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team, displayed the American flag for the national anthem during a jump demonstration that opened the show.

"We bridge the gap between the American public and the military, to let them know what their special operations or armed forces are capable of," said Staff Sgt. Noah Watts, Black Daggers demonstrator and assistant team leader. "It is a great response. We walk around, everyone is cheering, they want to come up and shake your hand. Little kids want to give us high fives. It's a really great opportunity for us to give back to the supportive community."

The Black Daggers team members are comprised entirely of volunteers from the Army special operations community.

The owners and operators of many of the vintage and current aircraft were on hand to share their knowledge and their passion for aviation.

"You have such an enthusiastic crowd out here and great people," said John Collver, an air show pilot. "It is just a joy to fly for them and share my passion."

The crowd cheered and applauded as the pilots performed aerobatics and races during the show. The air show also featured pyrotechnics demonstration put on by Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 detachments from Fallon, Nev., and San Diego.

"I loved it, just like old times," said Alex Hooper, a spectator at the air show. "My father used to bring me out here as a little boy, and I thought I would give the experience to my son."

This year's air show was both a celebration of the "Centennial of Naval Aviation" and the relationship between NAF El Centro and the local community.

"I saw a wonderful interface between the military and the local community, and that is indeed a rarity," said William G. Vasilovich, official announcer for air show. "That's really a tribute to the efforts that the folks here at NAF El Centro make."

Milcom Air Show Field Report - Spain

Mr. J. Martin in Spain passes along the following air show updates.

"Here are some notes for a future edition of the great MT Air Show Guide."

Italy Frecce Tricolori , ground support team uses 440.450 (FM), in addition to MT2010 confirmed freqs.

Spain Patrulla Aguila now sometimes uses 241.950 instead of 252.500.

Spain Patrulla Aspa (helicopter demo team) uses 119.000.

A bib Milcom blog thank you Mr. Martin and if you have an update from an airshow that you attend, please pass it along to the email address in the masthead. We rely on these field report to compile the next edition of the MT Air Show Guide which will appear in the March 2011 edition of Monitoring Times. You can download the current edition online at http://monitoringtimes.com/MT_Air_Show_Guide_2010.pdf.

Milcom Air Show Report - 2010 MacDill AFB Airfest

Chris from Clearwater, Florida, has filed our first 2010 air show report from the MacDill Airfest 2010. Remember if you attend an airshow we need your reports to prepare next year's MT Annual AirShow Guide that will appear in the March 2011 issue of Monitoring Times. You can send them to me using the address in the masthead or via my published MT email address.

For those of you who did not purchase this year's edition or are not a subscriber, we will post the full article to the MT website - 2010 MT Air Show Guide sometime in late April or early May.

Macdill AFB, Airfest 2010. March 20 & 21, 2010 field report

123.1500 discrete (otto, US SOCom parachute)
126.1500 Airboss (this & discrete freq have been the same at MacDill for many years)
136.6750 heritage air-to-air (P51/F15)
376.0250 F-15 Demo

Blue Angels:
139.8100* Com Cart/ maintenance - used all day long
142.6100* spotter - used just before and during show, talks to tower/airboss & reports airspace intruders (badgers)

*note: these freq's are listed as .##25 in the airshow list, however the scanner
I brought did not do those steps.

237.8000 Solo a2a when not in the box
275.3500 Diamond air-to-air when not in the box
284.2500 Used when in the box (aka performing manuvers) diamond/solo/delta
346.5000 Pre-show checklist

Misc:

141.5625 was monitored, however it sounded like base security/medical and not Blue angels related.

Fat Albert (bert) did not fly for the show, the aircraft used as Bert this weekend was a gray c130 (US Marines) and not the normal blue/white painted one.