However, the storm clouds rolled in, and the Thunderbirds were forced to fly an abbreviated practice.  Prior to their practice, they joined up with Major Paul "Max" Moga, who flew his F-22 in formation with the Thunderbirds for a couple flybys (an F-15D provided chase as a photo plane).  The Thunderbirds timed their practice perfectly - a freak thunderstorm rolled through Langley AFB, dumping about three or more inches of rain in the span of less than an hour.  Luckily I had set up shelter in the Silver Wings Chalet for the storm and contemplated moving to the Air Show Central office, but decided not to, since I was keeping an eye on the storm's movement on my cell phone (I downloaded a program that can give me pilot reports and radars and so much more for any airport, but have to pay $10/month for it).  The storm cleared out VERY nicely, and in time for two F-117s and a T-38 from Holloman AFB to arrive, as well as a B-1B Lancer from Dyess AFB.  However, more storm clouds remained in the distance, but did not affect the first portion of the night show.

Speaking of that night show, all of the TACDEMOS at Langley AFB flew.  April 27, 2007 goes down as the day when the first ever F-22 Raptor full-up demonstration was flown in front of a public crowd.  This year's demo pilot is Major Paul "Max" Moga from Minnesota, and he's got a real treat of a demonstration to show everyone.  The Raptor, being a fifth-generation jet fighter, is capable of flying maneuvers that no other jet fighter is capable of, especially with its capabilities.  The F-22 demonstration is not able to show off about 85% of the jet's true capabilities, which include stealthiness, supercruise, advanced avionics, weapons integration, and higher maintainability.  However Max is able to show off its superior maneuverability, which is demonstrated in the new demonstration profile.  As strange as it sounds, I believe that the Raptor demonstration is actually a lot better with a high cirrus cloud deck, as it will give a good perspective on the maneuvers that the aircraft is being put through.  One of the maneuvers that is highlighted in the demonstration is called a power loop, which is flown with the aircraft in level flight, pitching up as if it was a normal loop, and once over the top, the jet follows the remainder portion of the loop by following a point on its nose.  It might not make sense when you read it but when you watch it, it will amaze you.  The power loop will result in the F-22 ending the maneuver much higher than its starting altitude, all due to the use of thrust vectoring (the adjusting pitch of the exhaust nozzles).

The night show was cut short as a thunderstorm loomed in the distance and was making its way towards Langley AFB as the Kansas concert was coming to an end.  As soon as I had left Langley and gotten onto I-64, heading towards Newport News, all hell broke loose, as I had to drive through a gigantic thunderstorm - probably the same magnitude thunderstorm I had to go through earlier in the day.  Talk about an interesting day for weather!  Saturday's weather was a bunch of mixed blessings, with the clouds clearing out somewhat for the Thunderbirds, but not enough for them to fly their entire high show.  Sunday looked to be very nice, but a cloud deck moved in from the northwest, which cleared up very nicely in late morning until the Thunderbirds flew, in which case the clouds rolled back in and forced the team to fly another low show.  Overall, Langley's show in 2007 was up to par with the 2006 show, but the weather was not quite being the best in the world.

On a final note, there have been a few tributes to LCDR Kevin "Kojak" Davis present during the weekend.  Rob Reider, who announced the show this year instead of Jughead (who was deployed in South Korea) mentioned a missing man formation that the Skytypers flew at MCAS Beaufort the week before Langley, as well as giving Kojak a tribute during the Raptor dedication pass.  The Thunderbirds dedicated their performances to the memory of Kojak and flew a Blue Angel flag from their communications cart each day.

Military Demonstration Teams

• USAF Thunderbirds
  

Tentative Military Demonstrations

• 1^st Fighter Wing - Two F-15s and Two F-22s
  
• A-10 Thunderbolt II West Coast Demo Team
  
• B-2 Spirit Flyby (Saturday only)
  
• F-15 Eagle West Coast Demo Team
  
• F/A-18F Super Hornet Demonstration
  
• F-22A Raptor Demonstration
  
• F-117 Nighthawk Demonstration
  

Civillian Demonstrations

• Patty Wagstaff
  
• Michael Goulian
  
• Manfred Radius
  
• Red Eagle Aerobatic Team
  
• E-Team Skydivers
  
• Red Bull Helicopter Demo
  
• Yak Demo Team (Sean Carroll)
  
• Steve & Suzanne Oliver
  
• The Skytypers
  
• Ed Shipley
  
• USAF Heritage Flight
  
• US Navy Legacy Flight
  

Participating Organizations

• Rag Wings and Radials
  
• Rich's Incredible Pyro
  

Announcer: Rob Reider

Gates Open: 5:00 PM Friday, 9:00 AM Saturday and Sunday

Showtime: 5:00 PM Friday, 10:00 AM Saturday and Sunday