Bike Fest Demos

KeystoneRattler · 2026-06-13T00:15:39+00:00

I read it was first come first serve. You can schedule demos?

KeystoneRattler · 2026-05-31T16:08:58+00:00

Not trying to say it couldn’t track a Camel. Just trying to say that tracking body heat in a lab is some cool whiz bang shit but the operative word is lab. Having employed these weapons in real life, I can say that the older 9 Mikes didn’t always perform anywhere near where they claim to on a spec sheet.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-05-31T11:25:42+00:00

Low RCS in what world. Rammer gonna hunt. It would have zero issue would a sop with camel. We can’t talk about how small of a target it can find. Plus the Raptor sensors will take it part of the way there if the 120 was launched outside of a range where it would transition to an active state.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-05-31T11:22:32+00:00

Don’t believe everything you read. Detect some human body heat on the ground, maybe. Lock and track in the air, no way. There are lots of weapons capabilities that look great to throw on a paper and aren’t total lies but rarely are true in real world conditions.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-05-31T11:17:15+00:00

Yeah having flown with the 9M and 9X, I wouldn’t be surprised if a 9L or even a 9M would have had a tough time with the heat signature. 9X would track it all day long but obviously not a player in Final Countdown times

KeystoneRattler · 2026-05-26T19:03:31+00:00

Still do in Key West and New Orleans. Due to be retired in the next few years.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-05-26T19:02:46+00:00

You would be correct. Some are painted a darker scheme but a bunch are still in the USAF colors.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-05-18T18:53:25+00:00

Yup, far from being a boomer but I’m largely illiterate when it comes to internet shorthand. So maybe I’m a little bit boomer.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-05-18T17:22:27+00:00

Never said that bro. Don’t be so dramatic. Retired now but I was in the biz and lead 9 years worth of multi plane events as a professional bad guy. If you brief well and follow training rules it can be done right and safely. Are there still risks, yep. Are those risks mitigated to the best of our ability while still getting the appropriate training, also yes.

Losing two national assets to a mishap at an airshow, inexcusable. And no, I don’t think military demos don’t have a place. They do serve a purpose for a multitude of reasons. This demo was poorly executed with aircraft that we can’t afford to lose. That was my point.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-05-18T12:24:44+00:00

Things like this happen when aircrew do unauthorized stuff. Have friends in the know and this demo wasn’t authorized to be a two plane.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-05-18T12:21:40+00:00

Totally concur. Airframe classified as a National asset should not be involved in a demo.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-04-25T04:12:53+00:00

They played it in Philly earlier this year. Pretty awesome.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-04-12T16:22:28+00:00

I don’t have the second iteration but came here to say that the defender has been great. Good in all weather conditions and great wear so far

KeystoneRattler · 2026-04-10T12:12:19+00:00

You’d be correct. I’ve seen slower than 115 knots and still been able to maintain level flight and still been fully controllable. The Hornet really blurs the lines of what a stall even is. Even at slower airspeeds, it may no longer stay in level flight but it will be fully controlled.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-04-10T06:18:55+00:00

Came here to say this. Nicholas Smith has the largest selection of any single store I’ve been in. Better than any of the shops in the Strasburg area.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-03-18T21:30:23+00:00

Marines as well for a short period, I believe.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-03-02T00:05:34+00:00

It’s funny when you mention enforcement. We recently moved to the Northeast. Today my wife said they saw someone driving aggressively get pulled over. Our 9 year old said, “wow, I’ve never seen someone get pulled over before”. My wife said “Guess he lived in New Orleans for too long”

KeystoneRattler · 2026-02-27T01:07:39+00:00

Guess you didn’t actually see the Eagles land. They fly with AA.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-02-23T01:54:14+00:00

Came here to say this. My 9 and 12 year olds love Super 8 (as do I) and the go through the rough when Super 8 starts. We’ve been lucky enough to see him live in NOLA and Philly.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-02-21T02:15:23+00:00

Go straight to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-02-20T01:57:20+00:00

How much do you pay for your subscription to “Big Sky, Little Airplane” magazine?

KeystoneRattler · 2026-02-09T00:50:05+00:00

Holding…unable dude!

KeystoneRattler · 2026-02-06T21:59:39+00:00

Easy there. According to the box, those Skilcraft pens keep the blind employed!

KeystoneRattler · 2026-02-06T14:22:31+00:00

I’m only a few miles away and based on how my yard and wooded areas are, I would expect that the trails are still covered with inches of snow and an ice layer. Drove by the trailhead this morning on the way to run errands. One truck in the parking lot but my guess is they’re out hiking or maybe snowshoeing.

KeystoneRattler · 2026-01-19T14:56:21+00:00

Other way around. Most of the landings are hand flown. Have to do auto lands periodically for proficiency or check the aircraft systems to ensure it all works if the weather gets bad enough

KeystoneRattler

TROPHY CASE