F-22 Raptor Pilot Excited for First-ever Dayton Demo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For More Information Contact:
Michael Emoff, Chairman 937-221-7820 mike.emoff@shumsky.com
Brenda Kerfoot, General Manager 937-898-5901 x133 brenda@daytonairshow.com

Dayton, Ohio – The worlds’ most advanced fighter aircraft, the USAF F-22 Raptor will be a featured performer at the 2008 Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger. The show takes to the skies July 19th and 20th at the Dayton International Airport.

The F-22, the newest, most advanced military aircraft in the world will provide a full demonstration each day of the show. The Raptor is one of the most sought-after demonstrations on the air show circuit. Its incredible maneuverability, aided by its computerized controls and powerful, thrust-vectoring jet engines, make the Raptor an astonishing new air show aircraft. The F-22 is from the 1st Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, VA, and will be flown by Major Paul “Max” Moga.

Operational since 2005, this is the Raptor’s first-ever demonstration in Dayton but for those who have previously seen the Raptor elsewhere, Major Moga will unveil a completely new demo performance for 2008.

“We will be unveiling a new profile this year,” said Moga, an operational instructor pilot when he’s not on tour demonstrating the Raptor. “We will take the aircraft from 70 to 700 mph all in the span of a minute. We will demonstrate high angle of attack maneuverability that folks have never seen before from a fighter aircraft. It will become readily apparent that this aircraft is very different from anything they’ve ever seen.”

In addition to the high speed loops, slow speed passes, and high speed passes that the Raptor will perform, Moga recommends that spectators pay particular attention to a tail slide and a paddle turn that he will perform. “The tail slide will look like something that (civilian aerobatic performer) Sean Tucker will perform in his aerobatic aircraft where the aircraft will stop in its climb and back slide. The difference is that this is a more than $100 million military aircraft that could be fitted with armaments and taken into combat at a moment’s notice. The paddle turn that we perform will appear as though the aircraft is out of control in a flat spin but I will be in control of it the whole time. The demonstration is going to be eye-watering.”

The Raptor has a maximum speed of more than Mach 2 while the maximum speed for the demo is .49 mach, which is 700 mph. Typically the pilot can experience 9 to 9.5 G’s while performing maneuvers but Moga has experienced up to 10.6 G’s while piloting the F-22. “It can put a hurt on you,” reports Moga. But he also says that the Raptor is a very smooth ride even at top speeds. “Personally I have experienced 1.99 Mach in the Raptor and it is an amazingly smooth ride. It’s like a luge… smooth as silk.”

As one might imagine, getting behind the stick of the world’s most lethal aircraft is a huge rush for Moga and he relishes every opportunity to take flight in the $137.5 million aircraft. “As a fighter pilot, it’s more than I could have ever dreamed of,” he says. “If I ask the F-22 to do it, it will do it. The feeling you get from flying this plane is just unbelievable. Once you realize what it can do, you’re unstoppable, you’re King Kong and nobody can mess with you.”

Under development for more than two decades, the F-22 Raptor has capabilities that are far more advanced than other aircraft and it is the first next generation fighter aircraft in the world. Moga states that the F-22 gives the United States a huge advantage in air combat and makes the United States Air Force the envy of the world. “It’s not just evolutionary, but a revolutionary leap in fighter aircraft,” said Moga. “The Raptor allows us to operate with near impunity in hostile territory whereas were we to do the same things with previous aircraft we would sustain unacceptable losses. With the Raptor we have secured our place as the premier Air Force in the world. The rest of the world was nearing parity with our capabilities, which is unacceptable to us. As our country’s Air Force, we
want to have the capability to crush our enemy if needed. The Raptor gives us that capability.”

“We’re very excited to go to Dayton,” said Maj. Moga. “I consider Dayton the birthplace of aviation and it is full of such great aviation enthusiasts. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has had such a huge say in the development and beddown of the Raptor.”

Moga says that Dayton is one of the shows he’s looking forward to the most this season. “Because we are the headline act we know that we are going to get a lot of exposure. Dayton is at the top of our list. In fact, it’s so important that we are flying back early from Europe just so we can be at the show.” Moga and the Raptor team appeared at the July 14 opening of the Farnborough International Air Show in England but are scheduled to make a quick return to their home base at Langley, before flying to Dayton.

Fans can also obtain a $3 discount per General Admission ticket by using their
Kroger card when purchasing tickets at Kroger stores. Tickets are also available on the show’s Web site at www.daytonairshow.com, or by calling 800-585-3737. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the gate during the show.

Dayton International Airport - 3800 Wright Drive - Vandalia, OH 45377-1004 - Phone: 937-898-5901 - Fax: 937-898-5121 - http://www.daytonairshow.com/

Founded in 1975, the Vectren Dayton Air Show presented by Kroger is one of the country’s premier air shows. The event showcases military jet demonstrations, world-class aerobatic champions and entertainment for the whole family celebrating Dayton’s rich aviation heritage as home of the Wright Brothers and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

America’s Greatest Air Show…Dayton’s Premier Summer Event