Flying the world's first CIVILIAN F-16

Ғылым және технология

Ride along for a flight in the first civilian F-16 with Hasard Lee as they fly in the aggressor role fighting against blue air.
If you're an organization that would like to partner on a video, reach out to hasard@hasardlee(dot)com
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📷 Produced by: Josh Hak (@joshua_hak) with help from Trey Eaton
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HASARD
F-35 fighter pilot, previously flew the F-16, including 82 combat missions. In 2016 selected as the Top Instructor Pilot of the Year for Shaw AFB. Mission commander and the only fighter pilot to fly two different types of jets into combat on the same day.
Approved and adheres to AFI 1-1, USAF Social Media Policy. Opinions in this video do not represent the United States Air Force, DOD, or any other organization

Пікірлер: 2 000

  • @corvetteworldrob8586
    @corvetteworldrob8586 Жыл бұрын

    That's Crazy, they actually got a hold of 2 of the F-16s that did that Iraq Nuke plant hit in the early 80's. Look up that mission, they flew fingertip for a long haul so close they showed on rader as one, and pretended to be a Jordanian Transport. Crazy mission, that Inspired both Iron Eagle 2, and Top Gun Maverick.

  • @nabilbudiman271

    @nabilbudiman271

    Жыл бұрын

    Operation Opera

  • @forsaturn4629

    @forsaturn4629

    Жыл бұрын

    That operation was legendary

  • @moshe_nativ

    @moshe_nativ

    Жыл бұрын

    One of the Israeli pilots participating in that operation was Ilan Ramon, who perished as a crew member of space shuttle Columbia on that fateful February morning in 2003.

  • @leatherneck62

    @leatherneck62

    Жыл бұрын

    Yea those Israel pilots are fearless

  • @DanDan3663

    @DanDan3663

    Жыл бұрын

    That raid is an amazing story.

  • @TheBenghaziRabbit
    @TheBenghaziRabbit Жыл бұрын

    29 privately owned F-16's thats freaking amazing.

  • @w_esth1ll975

    @w_esth1ll975

    Жыл бұрын

    And more to come, they are buying most of the Netherlands their F16 fleet, already 3 of them delivered, 1 B and 2 C block 25s

  • @SoloRenegade

    @SoloRenegade

    Жыл бұрын

    In America you can own military hardware

  • @ChevTecGroup

    @ChevTecGroup

    Жыл бұрын

    Sure is. Wait til you hear a o the other company that got 48 FA-18s!

  • @Glee73

    @Glee73

    Жыл бұрын

    the military now prefers to "contract" out adversary air for training purposes as it is actually cheaper to do so than maintaining full-time squadron to do the same job.

  • @Hyperious_in_the_air

    @Hyperious_in_the_air

    Жыл бұрын

    My man literally running the Project Aces mercenary Air Force

  • @cozysouth
    @cozysouth Жыл бұрын

    These guys fly over my RV constantly. The first time I saw them I told my wife Israeli F-16s flew over. I immediately hopped on the internet and found out who was actually flying them. Amazing to have such historic aircraft in the air!

  • @Calebvelasquez117

    @Calebvelasquez117

    Жыл бұрын

    Didn’t happen

  • @RokeJulianLockhart.s13ouq

    @RokeJulianLockhart.s13ouq

    Жыл бұрын

    Did your wife really care?

  • @Steven-zt6rs

    @Steven-zt6rs

    Жыл бұрын

    @@RokeJulianLockhart.s13ouq wives that love their husbands usually care regardless of if they themselves are interested in a subject. u should find btter people to be around lol

  • @abdullahemad9457

    @abdullahemad9457

    11 ай бұрын

    How did you just know that they are israeli when they are up in the air I’m just curious

  • @cozysouth

    @cozysouth

    11 ай бұрын

    Top Aces purchased the aircraft from the IDF. They still have the original paint schemes and plane numbers. And yes, my wife did think it was 😎.

  • @MacStrengthCo
    @MacStrengthCo Жыл бұрын

    29 A/C= 10 flyers and 19 spare parts. Love what they are doing there. Great job on the maintenance team for keeping those things going without gov endless support and parts.

  • @matthewmcnab322

    @matthewmcnab322

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm sure they are charging the government appropriately for there services.

  • @raphaellauf7786

    @raphaellauf7786

    Жыл бұрын

    @@matthewmcnab322 think he means outside of their pay for services done, as in they don't get additional bonus outside of their contract.

  • @jessereeves3120

    @jessereeves3120

    Жыл бұрын

    The irony is that there’s literally billions in F-parts sitting in machine shops shelves under as-needed contracts. Most will become offal because the brass and the senate cyclically waste the parts of which they already paid the majority of, to avoid relatively minor costs, screw over the machine shops, and pass the new 100X bill right back to Johnny Taxpayer. But hey, they made the fiscal budget work. Success

  • @MacStrengthCo

    @MacStrengthCo

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jessereeves3120 I’m in the industry and know all too well! 😂. Still cool they got some of these flying under civil air.

  • @jessereeves3120

    @jessereeves3120

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MacStrengthCo Absolutely still cool

  • @abrahamm1325
    @abrahamm1325 Жыл бұрын

    These guys are legends for keeping the original paint job, those aircraft are pieces of history it would be a shame to have them altered physically.

  • @Klaaism

    @Klaaism

    Жыл бұрын

    Very much so.

  • @ToyotaNutjob

    @ToyotaNutjob

    Жыл бұрын

    Whistlin diesel has entered the chat

  • @kwhp1507

    @kwhp1507

    Жыл бұрын

    They will always be legendary even if they was pink with green polka dots! You might get razzed in the air from civilian atp’s, but you’re flying the only civilian owned 4th gen jets. Does this make top aces the largest private Air Force?

  • @Matt123a

    @Matt123a

    Жыл бұрын

    Iron Eagle paint job

  • @the_real_trvrt

    @the_real_trvrt

    Жыл бұрын

    lmao when the video started and I saw the paint job I was so confused cause it was 1:1 as Israeli F16s and I didn't think that we sold them to private/civilian contractors.

  • @Ilyak1986
    @Ilyak1986 Жыл бұрын

    Huge props to all the guys on the ground being on point with all the assembly, disassembly, and maintenance keeping everyone up in the air.

  • @stuman1159

    @stuman1159

    Жыл бұрын

    always

  • @darkgeneral0192

    @darkgeneral0192

    Жыл бұрын

    They don't use props anymore. They use jet engines

  • @BigRed1200100

    @BigRed1200100

    Жыл бұрын

    @@darkgeneral0192 it’s a figure of speech. It doesn’t literally mean props as propeller planes. Means huge, great job !

  • @darkgeneral0192

    @darkgeneral0192

    Жыл бұрын

    @@BigRed1200100 i know, i was joking

  • @alexshi9320

    @alexshi9320

    Жыл бұрын

    @@BigRed1200100 r/wooosh

  • @D1zZit
    @D1zZit Жыл бұрын

    That shot at 0:31 with the drone fly through is absolutely amazing!

  • @lillyanneserrelio2187

    @lillyanneserrelio2187

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you. i am that drone. I became sentient after flying through that F16 jet. The experience was so awe inspiring it awoken my consciousness. Good to meet you. Please address me as... ... ... Skynet

  • @lantose

    @lantose

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lillyanneserrelio2187 Skynet, you are one beautiful young lady! Best of luck to you!

  • @slickstretch6391

    @slickstretch6391

    Жыл бұрын

    Was it a drone, or was it a camera on a stick?

  • @nateb9346

    @nateb9346

    Жыл бұрын

    @@slickstretch6391 cinewhoop, AKA a tiny drone with enclosed propellers that is able to get into and around small spaces.

  • @lowlowseesee

    @lowlowseesee

    Жыл бұрын

    yeah it was lol thanks

  • @templarfidelis7203
    @templarfidelis7203 Жыл бұрын

    My grandfather was responsible for the sale of these aircraft to Israel. He was VP of Contracting for General Dynamics, San Diego. His retirement photo is of an Israeli F-16 in formation with a Kfir, signed by his team. It's hanging on my wall at home now. Great video! You have a new sub!

  • @dronegeeks

    @dronegeeks

    Жыл бұрын

    Wow that's cool

  • @frootluipsalad

    @frootluipsalad

    Жыл бұрын

    kfirs are so cool too

  • @thatsjustmidreal

    @thatsjustmidreal

    Жыл бұрын

    i do belive this but i also dont

  • @AMaidenlessRunt

    @AMaidenlessRunt

    Жыл бұрын

    Cool story bro

  • @mph2336

    @mph2336

    Жыл бұрын

    He’s one of the reason genocide is rampant out there

  • @Deantjah
    @Deantjah Жыл бұрын

    I wish - and I can just never say it enough - to someday be able to fly as a passenger in an F-16. It's really just my number 1 dream/wish I always had and always will have. Amazing aircraft. The fact that there ARE privately owned F-16's makes that dream - potentially - come closer in reality. Some day I hope, some day...

  • @Sierra-208

    @Sierra-208

    Жыл бұрын

    You and me both

  • @Shimo_28

    @Shimo_28

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes

  • @C0rnBr3ad04

    @C0rnBr3ad04

    Жыл бұрын

    I hope you do, if you do take some videos for me☺️

  • @philmahoney9527

    @philmahoney9527

    Жыл бұрын

    I thought there was a place in Pensacola u cld pay and go up for a ride??!!!!

  • @williamnewton5556

    @williamnewton5556

    Жыл бұрын

    @@philmahoney9527 that’s an l39

  • @carlparlatore294
    @carlparlatore294 Жыл бұрын

    Started to fly the Viper back in 81' - when I retired I had over 900+ hrs in the jet - looking at this video brings back a lot of memories - thanks for sharing!

  • @abel4776

    @abel4776

    Жыл бұрын

    When I buy one, I'll reach out to you to train me.

  • @mathgasm8484

    @mathgasm8484

    Жыл бұрын

    I bet you can do well in the dcs simulator with the right setup.

  • @montanatony5838

    @montanatony5838

    Жыл бұрын

    As a color blind man my dreams were to fly F-16s as a young boy until I found out color blindness is a no no as a pilot. My grandfather was an engineer for Skunk Works and then Northrup during the 60's, 70's and 80's. The last project he worked on for 8 years was the B2 Spirit.. He has a complete catalog of aircraft he was a part of. Thanks for your service and dedication to this wonderful country.

  • @carlparlatore294

    @carlparlatore294

    Жыл бұрын

    @@montanatony5838 Sorry about the color blindness - I know I was blessed to be able to fly fighters in the AF - you can be proud of your granddad for what he did - if it wasn't for folks like him I would never have had the opportunity to fly the best fighters in the world!

  • @carlparlatore294

    @carlparlatore294

    Жыл бұрын

    @@mathgasm8484 Math I'm old school - I will leave that DCS stuff to you younger folks like you who probably would "fly" rings around me 🙂

  • @gabbylang2
    @gabbylang2 Жыл бұрын

    I actually worked most of these engines, if not all. When he said that they are a bit different it’s because of modifications that were done due to compressor stalls. I was the so-called expert for putting safety wires on the bottom bolts of the fan flange just above the gearbox- absolutely no room to maneuver! The closeups really bring back the memories. 😊

  • @DG-kr8pt

    @DG-kr8pt

    11 ай бұрын

    same here

  • @DanielR2

    @DanielR2

    10 ай бұрын

    my brother worked on these engines back when he was in the Israeli Air Force, he also used to go straight into the intake and talked about how difficult it was to do anything there, my parents say that the smell of jet fuel is nostalgic from them since he would always come back home soaked in it hahah, I still have his patches from there, one from P&W themselves, and fun fact, I now serve in the base that these jets were sold from, you can still see some f-16 carcasses sitting in their flight lines waiting to be bought by other foreign comapnies/nations

  • @kiltedgod

    @kiltedgod

    Ай бұрын

    I heard about this, wow. Kudos.

  • @kicksnarehats11
    @kicksnarehats11 Жыл бұрын

    Man, there's just something about a clean F-16 that's not in Thunderbird livery ... also, the A model feels so beautifully raw and basic. Makes me almost wanna call it the "Fighting Falcon" again. ;-) Oh, and Hasard, you're just an absolute badass. The content you bring to us is top notch. I mean: casual in-flight interviews while on a training mission!? Come on!! Thank you for your service and for the invaluable insights into military aviation.

  • @jjtimmins1203

    @jjtimmins1203

    Жыл бұрын

    They say that if it looks right it is right, and the f16 absolutely nails it

  • @ronaldrobertson2332
    @ronaldrobertson2332 Жыл бұрын

    I probably refueled one of those jets way back in the early 80's. The ferry pilot told me that it was going to Isreal; this was before the Iraqi nuclear plant raid. I was stationed at Offutt AFB in Nebraska from 1980-1983.

  • @RanTausi

    @RanTausi

    Жыл бұрын

    Nice to know this, I was served in 140 F16A/B squadron between 1992-95. 👍

  • @t_sixtyfivex_wing8787

    @t_sixtyfivex_wing8787

    Жыл бұрын

    Salute you sir.

  • @t_sixtyfivex_wing8787

    @t_sixtyfivex_wing8787

    Жыл бұрын

    @@RanTausi Salute you sir, Falcon member.

  • @RanTausi

    @RanTausi

    Жыл бұрын

    @@t_sixtyfivex_wing8787 Many thanks to you !

  • @KRGruner
    @KRGruner Жыл бұрын

    This was absolutely fascinating. I figured it was only a matter of time before civilian contractors would have F-16s (a logical choice). Nice to see it finally happening! How I miss flying that jet...

  • @SupaMan2122

    @SupaMan2122

    Жыл бұрын

    Nice that knock it off in Top Gun is real lingo

  • @KRGruner

    @KRGruner

    Жыл бұрын

    @@SupaMan2122 Sure is.

  • @Skychickenpilot

    @Skychickenpilot

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your service! I wish to fly in the Air Force someday. Next year I will apply to the academy.

  • @nighpaw4651

    @nighpaw4651

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Skychickenpilot good luck

  • @AB-bu9go

    @AB-bu9go

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Skychickenpilot keep your nose clean, respect your enlisted members, dont be a douche, and make em tell you no!

  • @maverickhusky4165
    @maverickhusky4165 Жыл бұрын

    I can't help but think about the forces on the 16 bolts that hold on each wing. The enginering to make that work at the forces these planes experence is insane.

  • @chaoeperry

    @chaoeperry

    Жыл бұрын

    Psh 16 bolts, I was so unsettled when I heard that.

  • @Gay-Arrow

    @Gay-Arrow

    9 ай бұрын

    If you think that’s insane then check this out. The SR-71 Blackbird’s engines are each held in place by a single bolt. That’s right the engines of the fastest aircraft in history are held in place by an i-bolt.

  • @williamhudson4938

    @williamhudson4938

    4 ай бұрын

    16 bolts on each wing, while the engine hangs on a roller skate and 2 pins, with a link to keep it centered. Amazing engineering that kept me gainfully employed for 37 years and over 4000 airplanes.

  • @doodskie999
    @doodskie999 Жыл бұрын

    After that guy who procured a harrier, this tops it. Plus 29 units!? That's freaking amazing and insanely costly.

  • @robburns4176

    @robburns4176

    Жыл бұрын

    I saw the civilian Harrier at an airshow (Oceana NAS I think), he had a fully functional jet and I saw it fly. I heard that he p!ssed the RAF off something awful. One of the agreements to buy it was that he wasn't supposed to rebuild it and certainly not fly it.

  • @FD1CE
    @FD1CE Жыл бұрын

    It got me so emotional as an Iranian. We could be close allies with Israel and US, but that devastating damn revolution brought our country to pure hell until now. Thanks Hasard for sharing us the best moments we can ever imagine of flight

  • @MozTS

    @MozTS

    Жыл бұрын

    And whos fault is it for the conditions that caused the revolution?

  • @raymcdaniel1671

    @raymcdaniel1671

    Жыл бұрын

    As an American, we'd love to be allies with a modern, peaceful Iran. Hope you guys eventually throw the crazies out, and get to live freely.

  • @kirkvilla9781

    @kirkvilla9781

    Ай бұрын

    These comments didn't age well😂

  • @reckless-kelly
    @reckless-kelly Жыл бұрын

    I believe the 2-seat F-16 filmed here was actually used in the rescue of Col. Ted Masters, USAF (Ret) in 1986.

  • @sike3000

    @sike3000

    Жыл бұрын

    i understood that reference

  • @skankhunt9078

    @skankhunt9078

    Жыл бұрын

    Iron eagle!

  • @StephenJ117

    @StephenJ117

    Жыл бұрын

    Savage comment!

  • @bodylanguageconsultant

    @bodylanguageconsultant

    Жыл бұрын

    Filmed against Bilya... where's chappie when you need him?

  • @danielelson7141

    @danielelson7141

    Жыл бұрын

    How do you not yell out for Chappy while in the jet?

  • @valuedhumanoid6574
    @valuedhumanoid6574 Жыл бұрын

    I fly the F16C in DCS World. Of all the aircraft available, this is my fave by far. The flexibility, the performance, everything about it is so well thought out and well executed. I can go from hitting an enemy tank with a Maverick to blowing a fighter out of the sky with a Sidewinder. It does both equally well. This guy is living my dream

  • @265justy
    @265justy Жыл бұрын

    These F-16s have so much history. Some have taken down Syrian Migs, Some took part in the attack on the Iraqi nuclear reactor site and some are movie stars from Iron Eagle...

  • @andie2809
    @andie2809 Жыл бұрын

    I grew up next to Williams AFB, worked there for a few years in HS...I worked for HRL near the flight line. I later became a private pilot but not because of the base but because my mother was a private pilot. I don't even recognise it now...but I'm glad I was a part of it.

  • @MobiusOne6

    @MobiusOne6

    Жыл бұрын

    hey me too! It was called Williams-gateway by the time I came around though! That place really exploded from farmland into suburbia after we moved away in 05 or so...

  • @andie2809

    @andie2809

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MobiusOne6 it's much worse now sorry to say... we had a small farm and had to leave when it became so "city"...

  • @luuk341
    @luuk341 Жыл бұрын

    29 privately owned F16s. That is the coolest thing! I am from the Netherlands. And though we operate modern F16's where as TopAces only has a a few modernized jets. The Netherlands Airforce operates 40 F16s. TopAces has only 11 fewer jets than our airforce does. That is amazing!

  • @petertenthije

    @petertenthije

    Жыл бұрын

    You’re kind a glossing over the 28 F-35s, with more to be delivered.

  • @md11hud
    @md11hud Жыл бұрын

    Come a long way from the F-5 Aggressors I flew against in the 80’s. Great video. Thanks for giving me a look back at my old base of Williams AFB. HUD, 22nd TFS, Bitburg AB, Germany, The Last of the Red Hot Fighter Squadrons.

  • @BrianPhillipsRC
    @BrianPhillipsRC Жыл бұрын

    That was very cool! Thank you for sharing this experience!

  • @kinch613
    @kinch613 Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic stuff here. The history, dedication and passion for all these men is legendary. And kudos the the maintainers who literally keep em flying.

  • @sandspike2929
    @sandspike2929 Жыл бұрын

    F-16 is still the most beautiful fighter since the P-51 Mustang.

  • @UAL012
    @UAL012 Жыл бұрын

    Doing something like this has to be great for a lot of guys (and gals) that worked on of flew F-16's in the military and can get a civilian job doing the same thing. This is a great way to keep people working and doing something they love. I live in AZ and have actually flown a Cessna to Gateway Field (where this was filmed) and now I can't wait to do it again. I would LOVE an opportunity to experience something like this.

  • @av8tore71
    @av8tore71 Жыл бұрын

    F-16 flew in Operation Opera 42 years ago and is still flying strong! These pilots were in grad school or not born at all in 81. I've flown right seat on Aluminum Overcast the EAA's B-17 for a couple years with Ken W of Belvidere, IL and I think of stuff like this as I was born in 1971 flying airplanes that flew during WWII

  • @SimonAmazingClarke
    @SimonAmazingClarke Жыл бұрын

    I'm guessing that the flight line manager worked on 16s in the air force and now he's working on them in civy street. Awesome job, he must be loving it.

  • @GODOFLIQUOR
    @GODOFLIQUOR Жыл бұрын

    That’s so gnarly, the F16 is probably the most modern fighter jet owned by a civilian that’s a real dream

  • @Mrcuddlesworth_

    @Mrcuddlesworth_

    Жыл бұрын

    People have owned harriers

  • @Loopan68
    @Loopan68 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much to give us insights to these operations! It was so interesting to watch! Greetings out of switzerland

  • @danieldulkai7555
    @danieldulkai7555 Жыл бұрын

    Saw 4 of these guys get off loaded from an An-124 at gateway a year ago. love seeing them, didn't know how unique Top Aces was!!!

  • @machinech183
    @machinech183 Жыл бұрын

    My god I had this dream as a kid. I'm glad someone is actually able to make it happen. Well done and thanks for sharing it.

  • @dwade_fpv
    @dwade_fpv Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this video. I learned so much today. Being a drone pilot, I also appreciated the cinewhoop footage captured around the aircraft in the hangar!

  • @AdamArtzi

    @AdamArtzi

    Жыл бұрын

    You don’t have to say you’re a drone pilot, it says it in your name.

  • @lucaschudleigh7193

    @lucaschudleigh7193

    Жыл бұрын

    Drone pilots want everyone to know they’re a drone pilot because they pilot drones. Gayest title out there.

  • @dwade_fpv

    @dwade_fpv

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lucaschudleigh7193 🤣

  • @martinlagrange8821
    @martinlagrange8821 Жыл бұрын

    This was utterly fascinating, and really exciting to see. Thank you for it !

  • @itaibar8909
    @itaibar8909 Жыл бұрын

    These are obviously built with incredible quality to fly like new 40 years later, amazing!

  • @avrahambrea1919
    @avrahambrea1919 Жыл бұрын

    Kudos to you guys for keeping the paint.

  • @beavismount
    @beavismount Жыл бұрын

    Awesome video! Those FPV shots in the hangar did as much as the cockpit footage to tell the story, if not more.

  • @derekwhipple8419
    @derekwhipple8419 Жыл бұрын

    These jets are historically awesome. Hope they stay around for years to come.

  • @Sleepyjew
    @Sleepyjew Жыл бұрын

    This was fricken awesome to watch. Great video, mix of action and interview. Love it.

  • @s3viking214
    @s3viking214 Жыл бұрын

    This was awesome to watch. Had a smile on my face all the way through

  • @briantheodore6831
    @briantheodore6831 Жыл бұрын

    That drone work! Loved seeing this type of stuff. Production value is awesome…nice job. Keep these coming!

  • @rhadiem

    @rhadiem

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah nice cinewoop piloting, I was waiting for it to go "outside" in an active airport... had my email to the FAA ready. (teasing) Probably a good call to cut it at the end there. ;)

  • @realSethMeyers

    @realSethMeyers

    Жыл бұрын

    @@rhadiem why even joke about that? FAA are already trying to kill off the hobby as it is.

  • @4SHIZZLE206
    @4SHIZZLE2069 ай бұрын

    Best freaking JOB ever! How much fun is that!. Lots of responsibility, goodtimes, and helping your Nation. Well done!

  • @ChaseN194
    @ChaseN19410 ай бұрын

    Imagine having the funds as a private company to buy 20+ F-16s. DEEP pockets in Aviation

  • @OneThirtyTwoScale
    @OneThirtyTwoScale Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the great content and bringing us along on your journey, I'm envious of the job you do, it was the path I wanted to pursue in the Canadian air force, but the goal I never achieved. Keep up the great content, many of us appreciate being able to ride along.

  • @thefoolishhiker3103
    @thefoolishhiker3103 Жыл бұрын

    Seems like a a pretty awesome gig to have. Was a kid when the first top gun movie came out and dreamed of being a fighter pilot. Life took a different path but it’s amazing to be able to live vicariously through KZread videos like this. Thanks for providing this kind of content.

  • @derekcolvin9944
    @derekcolvin9944 Жыл бұрын

    It's amazing how fantastic the F-16 is. When I was in college in the early eighties , I worked near Carswell Air Force Base and General Dynamics so every Saturday 20 B-52's would take off from Carswell and f-16s were always in the area after production they would fly the f-16s out six at a time

  • @mixflip
    @mixflip Жыл бұрын

    I thought the President said Americans can't buy machine guns? Turns out we can buy stuff way better than machine guns.

  • @unclecousindanbo
    @unclecousindanbo Жыл бұрын

    All those jets and pilots came thru Hill AFB in 79-81. 388TFW 421st TFS BLACK WIDOWS! 16thTTFS and 34th TTFS were the training squadrons, later on Luke AFB got more of the training duties. Hill AFB was the Depot Base. I was there when we had F-4's still on the tarmac and we transitioned to F-16's. 4th and 421st were the first operational combat ready squadrons in the USAF. F-16 Falcon Fixers!

  • @rickcollins4927

    @rickcollins4927

    Жыл бұрын

    Former "B" shop'r here. Was at Hillfield from '80 to '83. Always enjoy seeing her fly.

  • @mccoybyz1099
    @mccoybyz1099 Жыл бұрын

    Wow!! The history in that small fleet of vipers!! Definitely one of the coolest videos you've ever done! More please!!!

  • @MZ-bl6wg
    @MZ-bl6wg Жыл бұрын

    Dream job! The drone shots at the end of the aircraft in hanger was cool, great flying to the drone flyer

  • @DarrenAllatt
    @DarrenAllatt Жыл бұрын

    Love the FPV Drone Footage of the hangar!

  • @MrUSAviation
    @MrUSAviation Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for bringing this experience to us! This is motivating to keep pushing hard to become a fighter pilot myself one day! Thank you!

  • @MrElliptific
    @MrElliptific Жыл бұрын

    Wow, it is crazy to think that some of those jets have been involved in very serious events.

  • @MrPingn
    @MrPingn Жыл бұрын

    Happy to see those birds still flying.

  • @RunTowardsDanger
    @RunTowardsDanger Жыл бұрын

    and..... I'm subscribed now. F-16 has been my favorite aircraft since I was a kid. I had a few models and they all got played with till they fell apart. Keep the F-16 content coming!

  • @RunTowardsDanger

    @RunTowardsDanger

    Жыл бұрын

    @hasardlee you have an impersonator trying to scam people.

  • @10Boomer9
    @10Boomer9 Жыл бұрын

    Oh man. This is giving me all the feels. It’s been 9 years since I’ve heard radio calls with all the static like that. Wow! Brings me right back.

  • @TubaDudeNick
    @TubaDudeNick Жыл бұрын

    I’d totally love to know if these jets were involved with the filming of the first two Iron Eagle movies! So sick!!!

  • @johnboe412
    @johnboe4124 ай бұрын

    Damn imagine owning two combat aces! Keep those babies safe.

  • @natesturm448
    @natesturm448 Жыл бұрын

    All this military jargon his so good to hear. I miss it sometimes.

  • @mroctober3657
    @mroctober3657 Жыл бұрын

    Drone camera footage on point.

  • @AGPullen
    @AGPullen Жыл бұрын

    I live minutes away from this airport and had no idea they did this out there! I see F-18's, C-130's, even V-22's but didn't know there was a company doing this out of PHX/Mesa Gateway! So freakin cool!

  • @TheFlightLevel
    @TheFlightLevel Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic video! Great editing and super informative!

  • @rolex87
    @rolex87 Жыл бұрын

    Sounds like their fleet has an amazing history!

  • @northidahotransplant1550
    @northidahotransplant1550 Жыл бұрын

    My father was the Air Force chief systems engineer on the F-16 at Wright-Patterson AFB when the Falcon (Viper) came to life. I'll have to make sure he sees this video. He's 90 now but still sharp as a tack!

  • @eric168
    @eric168 Жыл бұрын

    This is definitely going into my bucket list!!! Way to go!!!!!!

  • @eric168

    @eric168

    Жыл бұрын

    It's Allright bro.... I'm in Taiwan right now la. ^_^. Keep on the great videos. You could also try on the Skywalk on a propeller plane too ^ ^

  • @Erodkp08
    @Erodkp08 Жыл бұрын

    Wow you got some legendary airframes there. Not only Mig Killers but also 2 from the raid!

  • @uglyigor3055
    @uglyigor3055 Жыл бұрын

    amazing content hasard! Thx for this video and thanks to top aces!

  • @hampy9294
    @hampy9294 Жыл бұрын

    Here in israel we have a fleet of f16 that are grounded because there is no use to them, and its sad to see them fade and rust and decay in storage and this video made me soo happy cuz i can see that couple of them are not in the boneyard anymore and found some use👍

  • @bomcstoots1

    @bomcstoots1

    Жыл бұрын

    Sell them

  • @warhorse03826

    @warhorse03826

    Жыл бұрын

    I hear ukraine might be in the market for some F-16's fairly soon...

  • @abel4776

    @abel4776

    Жыл бұрын

    Can you hold one for me? I'm coming to pick it up.

  • @abel4776

    @abel4776

    Жыл бұрын

    @@warhorse03826 Ukraine needs to kick the corrupt CIA off their land first before improving their situation.

  • @phantom4E2

    @phantom4E2

    Жыл бұрын

    in Cuba same happens with MiG29k

  • @Belgianbanshee
    @Belgianbanshee Жыл бұрын

    When you take DCS too serious...on a 'serious' note: this is AWESOME!

  • @briansvacina7076
    @briansvacina7076 Жыл бұрын

    I would love to take a tour of that facility, keeping our warfighters sharp. Keep working on your craft guys!

  • @YTN3rd
    @YTN3rd Жыл бұрын

    Drone footage in the hanger looks great.

  • @platzreal
    @platzreal Жыл бұрын

    Im honestly amazed at the moment, as someone who is active USAF and works on the E3 I had no idea there was a private company doing red air. Cant help but wonder if I've run into these guys in the past during training sorties.

  • @scottmccambley764

    @scottmccambley764

    Жыл бұрын

    Top Aces was started by a bunch of retired RCAF jockeys. They also currently provide red air for the RCAF with Alpha Jets and red air for the German airforce with A4N Skyhawks

  • @RowdyDavido
    @RowdyDavido Жыл бұрын

    This is so cool! I was watching a f16 on Flightradar24 from Mesa Gateway and was like why is there a f16 flying over here with a transponder on? Cool to see these and hopefully will fly over my house 😁

  • @DaHiddenGemz
    @DaHiddenGemz Жыл бұрын

    That's pretty badass! I've always loved the F16.

  • @aunderiskerensky2304
    @aunderiskerensky2304 Жыл бұрын

    so cool that this ended up out there for us to witness. i read about this, im a huge jet nerd, and thought it was super cool that maybe by the time i'm retired if i play my cards right i could possibly fly one someday.

  • @spydude38
    @spydude38 Жыл бұрын

    Somewhere, Doug Masters is getting nostalgic.

  • @Tigershark_3082
    @Tigershark_3082 Жыл бұрын

    I have a friend who works at Tactical Air, and works on the F-5ATs they have. I don't know if it's possible to do so without joining the military, but I want to work for ATAC or Draken International as a maintainer. I sure as hell would enjoy working on Kfirs and Skyhawks

  • @gregorygaunt9353

    @gregorygaunt9353

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm sure you could with airframe specific experience and an A&P ticket.

  • @Meyblc70

    @Meyblc70

    Жыл бұрын

    I worked for ATAC for several years. No A&P needed. I worked on their Hawker Hunters. I did have 26 years experience on Vipers though.

  • @JeremyHamaker
    @JeremyHamaker Жыл бұрын

    Such times we live in. Outstanding.

  • @dedexyz8475
    @dedexyz8475 Жыл бұрын

    THX Hasard for all you do, have done, and have achieved. #Kudos

  • @ComdrStew
    @ComdrStew Жыл бұрын

    Bet that felt funny sitting in a civilian F-16. I know he said they upgraded a lot of the systems, but did it still seem like an older fighter inside?

  • @andrewcapone3345
    @andrewcapone3345 Жыл бұрын

    Curious what did he merge with in the fight? Amazing how these aircraft from the 70’s -80’s are maintained and still withstand all the stress of combat maneuvers! Great job.

  • @AnimeGamer0

    @AnimeGamer0

    Жыл бұрын

    I might be wrong but I think he said they were training with US F-35s.

  • @SmokeEater509
    @SmokeEater509 Жыл бұрын

    I monitor FlightRadar24 all the time at work and have always wondered about Top Aces and why they were flying random planes out over the gulf of mexico and the pacific in crazy flight paths. I figured it was to train pilots from other countries. After watching this video I realize that they are probably dogfighting pilots whose planes will never show up on that site. Still fun to watch the T-38's, stratotankers, E-3's, poseidons, as well as the countless other planes that might be flying out there. Great video.

  • @jamessullivan6879
    @jamessullivan6879 Жыл бұрын

    They take them selves real seriously, the countdown to the meeting made me LOL

  • @Turboy65
    @Turboy65 Жыл бұрын

    Interesting to see A and B models flying with the old instrument panels that don't have MFDs in them. I'd expect that it'd be important to upgrade them to have at least one MFD for situational awareness reasons. Check with Lockheed-Martin, they may have more advanced systems that are being pulled out of F-16s that are going to be going through the F-16V upgrade process.

  • @johnconnor7022

    @johnconnor7022

    Жыл бұрын

    I also was like, that looks like an A model. Thats why they are being sold. Israel probably keeps their C models and is only replacing the A models by the F35. Any info on that?

  • @mpsmith47304

    @mpsmith47304

    Жыл бұрын

    @@johnconnor7022 The modified jets DO have an MFD. The old radar/EO display (between the knees) is removed and replaced with an MFD. The MFD is used to manage the more modern systems on the jet like the new radar, and a helmet-mounted display..... though the HMD is not worn on this flight (not sure this is actually one of the modified jets). They briefly talk about the new integrated avionics at about 7:45.

  • @Kye0ng
    @Kye0ng Жыл бұрын

    I always love the adversary liveries.

  • @Kye0ng

    @Kye0ng

    Жыл бұрын

    @Gregory Franklin Mb, thank you for the correction 👍, my opinions still stands the paints are cool.

  • @Bruiser5K
    @Bruiser5K Жыл бұрын

    Hey I see my little hometown on the map! I remember seeing and hearing jets flying over and seeing flares every now and again.

  • @rpe7418
    @rpe7418 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing aircraft. Flies like a gem. Could t believe how smooth it flew when cruising and then how fucking fast and intense we got into dog fights. Insanely awesome machine.

  • @mxcollin95
    @mxcollin95 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome that they’re privately owned F16s! Wondering if Israel might have anymore for sale? P.S. I know the FAA has balked at civilian’s owning supersonic aircraft in the past. I remember watching an AARP video, of all things, about an older retiree gentleman who got geared up and approved to fly a Harrier jump jet that was being restored to fly in airshows. A big part of that video was about how the FAA was all over every aspect of how the Harrier was operated and making sure that every rule and specification was followed to a tee.

  • @yrkjrk2972

    @yrkjrk2972

    Жыл бұрын

    The fun police trying to bog down people trying to fly? Color me surprised...

  • @yoamal1187

    @yoamal1187

    Жыл бұрын

    I think they sold them 4 more jets earlier this year

  • @moshe_nativ
    @moshe_nativ Жыл бұрын

    Awesome video, Hasard! Having lived in 🇮🇱 while these were in service, its cool to see them again, in the 🇺🇸. If these planes could talk... what a journey.

  • @pyr0duck676
    @pyr0duck676 Жыл бұрын

    Maybe some day they will open ride alongs to the public. That would be the dream!

  • @creaturesfromelsewhere203
    @creaturesfromelsewhere203 Жыл бұрын

    FINALLY! Been wanting an F-16 for yard work for ages.

  • @charlesbeckham7746
    @charlesbeckham7746 Жыл бұрын

    No doubt my dad help build those F-16's. My dad worked for General Dynamics at the main assembly plaint in the 70's and into the 80's then in '83 GD transferred him to Edwards AFB doing r&d for avionic systems for future F-16 models, my dad retired in 2006.

  • @Nurhaal

    @Nurhaal

    Жыл бұрын

    We still buildin' them! Well, we work on them at Plant 4 but Greenville is building the new ones right now! The V or, block 70, is the "new and improved". The tech in the F-16 seems so rudimentary compared to the F-35. It's amazing how good the F-16 still is til this day.

  • @TheEarthwinders
    @TheEarthwinders Жыл бұрын

    I'd love to see a video about scrambling. How does that process work and how quickly can you actually get up in the air when surprised?

  • @emanuelfigueroa5657
    @emanuelfigueroa5657 Жыл бұрын

    I love to see fighter jets "naked", no fuel tanks, missiles, pods, just the beautifull shapes they have.

  • @Noisy_Cricket
    @Noisy_Cricket Жыл бұрын

    The Antanov that shipped those F16s over is gone now 😥

  • @jet6619
    @jet6619 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this video! I would absolutely love to work for Top Aces, but issues at home prevent that. I actually work at the "boneyard" at DM in Tucson. OLD F-16s are constantly arriving here for retirement, but going straight to the QF side. We can get parts at, almost, the flick of a finger. Makes me curious on how Top Aces will keep these flying. We actually have a bunch of F-16s ready for the QF conversion, just sitting around collecting dust.

  • @Alan-Dawson
    @Alan-Dawson Жыл бұрын

    Born 71 and as a kid in the 80's I had model planes hanging from above In my bedroom....Spitfire and the F-16 were always my faves...52 now,to this day they still are.

  • @all4myutube
    @all4myutube Жыл бұрын

    Just awesome! My favorite Air Force jet, it must have been fun flying one.

  • @spyous7884
    @spyous7884 Жыл бұрын

    RIP the An225, you were very respected.

  • @ImpendingJoker

    @ImpendingJoker

    Жыл бұрын

    While I share the sentiment, the Antonov in this video was an An-124.

  • @spyous7884

    @spyous7884

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ImpendingJoker oh thought it was the 225 looked similar.

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