You Can't Tame a Raptor

The invasion of the Raptors is coming to the California Capital Airshow. (Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller, USAF)By Karen Storm

In the wild, birds of prey are very distinctive in their attributes: a sharp, pointed beak; strong feet with razor-sharp talons; keen eyesight, and animals —even other birds— are their food source.  Another name used to describe these birds is derived from the Latin word —Rapere— which means to plunder. They are smart, aggressive, cunning, and lethal. Such a bird is called a Raptor.    

It is also the name of the United States Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, a designation made both appropriately and without apology. The F-22 Raptor, manufactured by the team of Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, and Pratt & Whitney, is the world’s only operational fifth-generation fighter, and it is absolutely masterful at conducting its stated mission of Air Dominance.

(Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller, USAF)When you look at the airplane for the first time, its form is rather imposing. The vertical stabilizers, tall and canted outward slightly, are two-thirds the size of an F-16 Fighting Falcon’s wing. The huge tail is nearly three feet wider than the wingspan of the venerable F-5 Tiger II.  The skin of the airplane is smooth and seamless, and the swept wings, large air intakes, and combination of curves and edges scream speed and agility. The jet is all that and much, much more.

The Air Force’s F-22 Demonstration Team, based at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, is headlining the 2010 California Capital Airshow (www.californiacapitalairshow.com), which roars back into the skies over Sacramento this coming Sept. 11-12.

“The Raptor is the highlight of any airshow and an extremely thrilling display. It is amazing to see the tremendous maneuverability with such force and grace,” said Scott McCartney, program director in the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security. “We are honored and excited to have them coming to Sacramento.”

“There are some exciting things in the works, things that haven’t been done in a very long time, if ever, and we’re excited to share such an amazing, historic event with the community of Sacramento.   It’s about honoring our past and inspiring the future,” said Darcy Brewer, Executive Director of the California Capital Airshow.  “This year’s show, sponsored in part by AeroJet, Airshow Buzz, Budweiser, Go Girl Energy Drink, KCRA-TV, Sacramento County Airport System, and Sacramento Jet Center promises to be the best show yet.”

The California Capital Airshow, through the help of its community partners, has awarded more than 60 scholarships to deserving students interested in aviation, aerospace, aeronautics, and related fields.  In addition to celebrating one hundred years that airplanes have been involved in military operations, this year’s event will also celebrate the Centennial of Women in Aviation. PRIDE Industries is sponsoring Jessica Cox, a young woman who was born without arms and overcame her disability to become an FAA-certified sport pilot.
Also included in the performers lineup thus far are Sacramento-area resident Tim Decker, Michael Goulian, John Klatt, Melissa and Rex Pemberton, and the US Navy’s F/A-18 Demonstration Team.  Brewer just smiled when asked about what else could potentially be making an appearance.

“You’ll just have to wait and see. But I promise that you won’t be disappointed and we will have something for everyone and every age—it’s going to be awesome!”

The F-22 Raptor will make its presence known in spectacular fashion as it carves its way through the sky over Mather Airport. Even on the ground, the fence separating the performers pit from the crowd will be jam-packed as Major Skalicky, Master Sergeant Gappert, and the rest of the F-22 Demonstration Team begin their preparations for flight. Even when sitting at idle on the ground, the F-22 Raptor is intimidating and awe-inspiring to see; pilots have been known to stop what they were doing to come watch the jet wake up.

Once it’s on the move, there’s nothing else quite like the F-22 Raptor.

The Raptor is a beast that simply cannot be tamed…