T-6 Flight Pictures
Take off

Shortly after take-off from the Kissimmee (ISM) Airport in Florida.

The gear is up and I'm looking for 95 - 100 indicated for climb-out.��You can't see anything over the nose of a T-6 during climb-out so gentle 5 degree or so S turns to both sides keeps the airspace in front of the nose clear of "unwanted guests".
BPH

Split-S?

I can't remember exactly what we were doing here but note the position of the left aileron.��Since I'm looking "up" (for my line), I think this is the entry into a split-ess after we did an Immelman (which I didn't do very well!). This particular SNJ has the "low-rate" ailerons but it still goes right around.��I was told negative G's are avoided because if the engine momentarily quits, unburned fuel vapors can accumulate in the exhaust system.��Once the engine fires again, these fuel vapors can ignite and cause a "stack-fire" of sorts, which is apparently a little hard on the exhaust system.��Also, the supercharger bearings are spinning at a very high RPM.��Extended negative G may interrupt the flow of oil to these bearings, and at the high speed they're spinning, it wouldn't take long for damage to occur....
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The beginning of a loop

Entry speed for a loop is around 160 to 170 indicated with about a 3.5G pull on the stick.
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The up-line

A properly executed loop in the T-6 uses up about 1100 feet of altitude.
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Trying to keep the loop round

Back pressure is eased off slightly at this point to keep the loop nice and round.
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Inverted

Control pressures are light and well-harmonized.��A slight adjustment to rudder input is needed to compensate for the slower airspeed at the top of the loop.��Looking for our down-line at this point....
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And down she comes....

Back pressure is increased back to roughly 3G near the bottom of the loop.��Of course, airspeed, altitude and heading should be the same as when the loop was entered!
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Your's truly is one happy camper!

A flight / ride like this does a lot to keep the "fire lit" so-to-speak (with a rebuild project as lengthy as mine).��Although I've ridden in the back seat of a few T-6's, I haven't gotten any stick-time until now.��Flying from the front seat is a real plus too!��Flying the T-6 is everything I expected it to be, and I look forward to the day I can toss mine around in the sky....��If you think you might want to get some T-6 time yourself, as a satisfied customer, I can highly recommend the folks at Warbird Adventures, Inc. ��You won't be disappointed!

Visit the Warbird Adventures, Inc. web-site.

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Last update: January 12, 1999


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