The F-22s will be among about 20 aircraft at SkyFest that will either do a demonstration or be on display. “After the demonstration, I’m usually ready to run through a brick wall because of that surge of energy and adrenaline.” After every demonstration, however, his heart is still pumping rapidly. He said years of training, innovation and technology have equipped him to handle it. Lopez said his pressurized flight suit and oxygen mask help during the flight, but flying an F-22 puts about nine times the pressure of his own weight on his body. He said the computer system in the F-22 is far more advanced than older jet fighter models, which keeps the aircraft on course and steady. O’Brien said the jet is surprisingly smooth to fly despite the intense speed, maneuverability and considerable gravitational force that is put on the pilot. The jet weighs more than 43,000 pounds and can go up to Mach 2. “Everyone of these aircraft can go to war the next day,” he said. He said every F-22 that appears in a show is the same jet that could be used in combat. The TF30 engines used in the F111 dont exactly have a stellar service record, more notably in the F-14A. Duston O’Brien, the safety officer for the F-22 demo team, said the group doesn’t have its own F-22s and instead borrows them from bases for air shows. Many -111 drivers have told me the fastest theyve gone is around 1.3 on the deck but due to gravitational and aero drag limitations at that level, 1.3 is pretty much as fast as any fighter will go.

How fast does the f 22 raptor go