How low can you go?

[Just call me Ray]

KC-135
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OowzP5280mQ&feature=related

Ohhh, not so fast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsirCoxcfo4


Nevermind the, uhhh...interesting fellow in the makeup there.

[B777LR]

Low flying 727

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl7QgjdRONo

Low flying 737-200 (sounds like an F-16)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkXDagQv0Ho&feature=related

And a 747SP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08G4z63PShc&feature=quicklist

Low DC-10 (with horrible music)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTMC_EcrAz0&feature=related

Go-around A380

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqEkvhX6YpQ&feature=related

KC-135
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OowzP5280mQ&feature=related

Ohhh, not so fast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsirCoxcfo4


Nevermind the, uhhh...interesting fellow in the makeup there.

Those points were rather invalid. Engine noise is different. Take in mind that the A310 was close to full power in order to pull up and turn. Compare to the noise from the MD-87 video i posted. The MD-87 is far more noisy than the 737, which uses CFMs.
The A310 uses much larger CF-6 engines, the KC-135 uses CFM-56s. Using four CFMs you can run them at much lower power.
The A310 was filmed much closer.
The cameras were different, and so was the sound recorder.
The guy with makeup had clearly not been to africa. The mid-day sun lasts much longer.
The shadow falls perfectly all through the shot, and cover the trees perfectly.

The video is real.

[Mossie]

Very odd style he's got, but apart from Thomas' very valid counter arguments, & the title, he doesn't actually debunk it in the end.  He says there isn't enough evidence to write it off, also his 'evidence' is a little weak & he needs to take his own advice.

Backfire!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAhWU19etQM&feature=related

Not exactly low flying, but the runway at St Maarten is (in)famous for being very close to the beach & aircraft pass overhead just meters above.  Not unknown for pilots to find bikinis caught in the undercarriage!   Several videos available on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=st+maarten+landing&search_type=&aq=0&oq=st+maa

[sequoiaranger]

This Martin Mars is the LARGEST propeller-driven aircraft flying, I believe.

[Mossie]

Wow!  Is that actually that low, or is it over a valley?  I know there's a place in Wales called the Machynlleth loop, where the RAF & other NATO air forces go to practice low flying, it's an aviation photographers paradise.  It can often appear that an aircraft is just meters from the ground as they pass through the valleys, but that's because you're looking at it over a crest.

[B777LR]

Wow!  Is that actually that low, or is it over a valley?

I've seen similar photos and videos of it. I think they do it when it comes in to scoop up water from small-ish lakes, to fill the tanks completely.

The Mars is the largest flying piston aircraft. The An-22 is the largest prop, and was for a period the largest plane in the world. The Spruce Goose beats them both, but it doesn't fly today...

[kitnut617]

Wow!  Is that actually that low, or is it over a valley?  I know there's a place in Wales called the Machynlleth loop, where the RAF & other NATO air forces go to practice low flying, it's an aviation photographers paradise.  It can often appear that an aircraft is just meters from the ground as they pass through the valleys, but that's because you're looking at it over a crest.

Simon. my brother was on holiday a few years ago over in Penticton/Kelowna area which is on the Okanagan Lake (a very long narrow lake typical of the area) and there were huge forest fires going on all around them at the time. The two Mars were being used to firebomb these fires and filling up by skimming the lake, everybody was banned from using the lake although the vacationers could still use the beaches.  My brother told me these aircraft came so close to the ground you could almost touch them, so what you are seeing in the photos more than likely happened.  The lake shoreline is probably just out of view.

[sequoiaranger]

>My brother told me these aircraft came so close to the ground you could almost touch them, so what you are seeing in the photos more than likely happened.  The lake shoreline is probably just out of view.<

Ya Got Me! Here is the next photo in the Mars sequence. Just because it is near the water takes NOTHING away from the expert flying needed to come in this low and fast in such a large airplane. Seriously, the Mars is still probably 20+ feet above the land/water, but it LOOKS closer because of the sheer size of the aircraft.

PS-- my uncle flew the Mars for the US Navy back in early '50's.

[Logan Hartke]

Very neat, Sequoiaranger.  They said that modern pilots of the monsters are super-experienced with hours in a myriad of types who pass up very lucrative positions with major airlines flying the best planes in the fleet in order to take a relatively low-paying position flying the Mars.  They say that it's all worth it when you're sitting around a table with a bunch of other pilots and everyone's saying what types they fly.  People go through the normal list: 737, A320, 757, A330, 767, A340, 777, then someone says 747 and looks around smugly.  All you have to do is lean back and say "I fly the Martin Mars."  Instant trump card.

It's like Brian Regan's "I walked on the Moon" routine.

Cheers,

Logan

[Mossie]

Fantastic stuff, thanks for the clarification guys!

[chrisonord]

Just watched a program of the Martin Mars firebomber, they now have an S-71 Helicopter flying with them that is fitted with collision avoidance equipment. This is because of a fatal accident that happened involving one of the Mars aircraft.
Chris.

[Black Knight]

DC-3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyUJIC6I7ic&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_stronger_r2-2r-2-HM

A-310
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYfhC9ft_hk&feature=related

Lots of low passes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4vrV-pbJ8g

[B777LR]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lECmDMxR-rA&feature=channel

Danish Lynx in Greenland and Iceland

[GTX]

Regards,

Greg

[Steel Penguin]

i realy expected that photo to have a ZELL system behind it!