Oregon National Guard F-15 Eagle leaps into the air for the opening ceremony flyby.
The 2009 Reno National Championship Air Races and Air Show marked the 46 years of air racing. The week of qualifying and racing saw ideal weather conditions with temperatures in the 80's and light breezes. Competition was tight in the Unlimited class and saw new speed records nearly every flight. The air racing action culminated in the Unlimited Gold Race being won by Steve Hinton Jr. flying the P-51 #7 Strega with a top speed of 491.822 mph.

The cockpit camera was mounted on the HUD(Heads up Dislay) of the U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle and provides a super panorama looking back at the pilot. Watch Major Donovan light the afterburners and put the F-15 through it's paces. You can see the G loads on the him and watch the flight control surfaces respond to his input. The most interesting feature of the camera angle is being able to see the engine intake ramps move to keep optimum airflow to the engines. This airshow demo was shot at the Abbotsford International Air and Trade Show.

On Sunday at the California Capital Airshow 2007, I decided to grab the still camera for the F-15 demo. This photo was taken during the four-point roll and demonstrates the precision of the manuever- a perfect 90 degree angle.

The F-22 joined the classic P-51 and F-15 Heritage Flight on Sunday at the California Capital Airshow 2007.

The F-15 and P-51 Heritage Flight is always a crowd favorite at airshows. At the California Capital Airshow 2007, Friday was a practice day and the F-22 joined the F-15 and P-51 while I was shooting video- a total surprise.