RIP, it was more than an honor to have shared a cockpit and an adult beverage with this great Aviator. He has thrilled millions and was an awesome guy to break bread with. We will all miss you and the wake you left with your life...
@@francescogiovannucci586 No Sir, just a friend of his that enjoyed his friendship after he had retired to the air show circuit. My aviation was in the rotor-wing community in Public Service. Other than personal flying...
I was an aviation electrician in VF-33 during Snorts command. That Key West tour I remember well. When he said he stressed aircraft 9-10 g’s. He came back once with missing panels. The calfax screws on many other panels were missing or loose. He always said just give me guns. I was also privileged to be on the flight deck in the squadron when the famous photo of his low level maneuver was taken around the USS America. I’m privileged to have a picture with him shaking my hand and giving me a Letter of Commendation as my Company Commander. Heartbreaking to hear of his accident. I was not a pilot but privileged to have served under him and as a shop troubleshooter final checked many of his flights while in VF-33. He will be missed.
I was stationed on the Nimitz when Snort was there. I was an air intercept controller out of CIC and controlled him several times until he rotated off then worked with him when our Tomcats went to FFARP.. Twenty years of carrier duty and working with guys like Snort you definitely come back with stories.
It was an honor to serve with LCDR Snodgrass, at the time, with the VF-143 Pukindogs as Ops Yeoman on the USS Eisenhower Ready Room. Great Fighter Pilot and finer gentleman. RIP Snort.
This is a heartbreaking loss! Snort was a friend, a brother and an inspiration. He was the reason I started making custom watches, and he helped develop my company. Thank you Snort for the guidance and friendship. I'll miss you!
We need to get at least 4 tomcats flying again in the honor of Dale and those who came before him in the tomcat. I’d say name the team the Snodgrass heritage squadron. I know it a very long stretch but will power is one heck of a thing. Rip Captain Snodgrass.
that's a nice sentiment but the it was even too expensive to operate when there were hundreds in service and parts were being mass produced. There are no spare parts for them anymore, everything was destroyed to deny Iran access to them. besides, the block III Super Hornet is just flat out better. Yeah i get it, it was Iconic, so was the F-4, the F-86, the P-51 and the Corsair. When it was in service it's only real rival was the F-15, that wouldn't be the case today. It's always going to be a legend. no use trying to relive the glory days.
Such a legend. I have a feeling that he will be known by many more in the wake of his passing. The world needs to hear the stories of such amazing Americans. This is an example of true blue badass! Watch and Learn
You can always tell an honest man/pilot by his willingness to so quickly share embarrassing and oops stories about himself. Snort must have been great!
I know Snort. I flew Tomcats in the 80's at NAS Miramar. He's a great pilot, but like a lot of us, has a very high opinion of himself - as you can see from his video/lecture. I saw his Tomcat 3000 HRS patch at the O'Club.
he wanted to be the best of the best and he did a fairly good job of reaching that goal..I met him a few times at airshows over the years...a bit cocky, (like all fighter pilots..esp. Chuck Yeager!) but friendly enough...He lived his dream...Whatever you focus on in your life..is what you will become...funny he died in such a slow aircraft considering all the supersonic and high performance aircraft he flew over the years....just like Scott Crossfield(1st man to exceed mach 2) and many other great pilots...when its your time...its your time I guess R.I.P. Snort ...glad I had the privilege of meeting you..you were an inspiration for many to be the best they can be.......
RIP Snort! You were a mentor, friend, comrade in arms and dedicated to the profession of a Fighter Pilot. Under the definition of a Fighter Pilot should be your image. You have trained and mentored a generation of aviators. You will be forever missed my friend! Blue Skies Snort..Blue Skies 🙏❤
Flavio "Buck" Kauffmann - Brazilian Air Force. Missing our good times as young fighter pilots, I remember my great friend, and surfing partner in Rio, "Snort" and our coexistence during the VF-33 in USS Constellation campaign in South America back in 1990. RIP
@@shawnomack45 It was unreal. People who never saw Tomcat in real life, don't understand. I have seen F-18 in airshows and as much people praise it, it simply does not compare to the show the F-14 put on. Not even remotely close.
@@KLRGT500KR it was definitely unreal. I go to usually 2 or 3 airshow a year since I was born and I'm 34 now tomcat is definitely my favorite. Thankfully I have old vhs tapes of airshows that I can show my kids some of the great stuff they will unfortunately never see
@@shawnomack45 Yeah, exactly. I also enjoy the same videos on youtube you do. Some of Snort's 80s airshow demos are simply stunning when he was doing a lot of fast and high-G maneuvers. I recently saw one of the last Tomcat videos, which was a night time video in full afterburners where the Tomcat does a minimum radius turn in full afterburner and then a vertical departure right over the head of the audience. You see the burners getting smaller and smaller until it vanishes into the upper atmosphere. It went to probably 50,000+ feet.
@@KLRGT500KR Can I see a single example of the Tomcat being "unreal" at displays? I've seen quite a few F-16 and Rafale videos that made me impressed, but never an F-14 so far...
It really is a tough thing when guys you admired for years start passing away, sadly it seems to be happening with far too much frequency. RIP, great American patriot.
Did you know: After high school, Snodgrass attended the University of Minnesota on a Navy ROTC scholarship and was also an All-American swimmer. Snodgrass graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1972
As an AMH3 who served at the same time "Snort" was beginning his Navy career as an Aviator, this video brought back many fine memories. Fair Winds with Following Seas, Capt.
What a gift he was to the United States Navy, to his country, to the men and women who flew with him over his long career, and to the fans who saw him perform in air shows. Bigger shoes to fill than Snort's don't get left behind everyday. He was a mentor and an inspiration to aviators the world over. Pilots like him are the ones who inspire new pilots. He's gone, but certainly not forgotten. Flying with a different crew now. If angels do indeed have wings, Snort will be the man to show them how to put em to good use. RIP Snort.
RIP Snort, forever a Legend; from metal wings to real ones, aviators never stop flying not even in death. condolences to his family he is an American hero.
I’ve seen f-18, 22 and now 35 training in new England river valleys. It is deafening when they pass. He’s right it’s so much cooler than an air show. Rip, the world lost a good man
I would have loved to see "Snort" given the opportunity to oversee and be the test pilot for the "Super Tomcat" that was never built. He would have had a blast, and we would have seen an awesome plane as a result. RIP #TheRealMaverick
An amazing and insightful lecture, loved every moment of it. Has he written his memoirs? The way he talks make me think he would write well and would love to learn more of his career.
I was a young Navy Corpsman aboard a Guided Missile Destroyer in Norfolk, in 1974, went to an Airshow at NAS Oceana where I first saw the Tomcat, the most impressive sight I have ever seen, I'd like to think a young Captain Snort was the Pilot, maybe he was, Sail on Captain, we need you, we miss you..DOC Mike USN
@ken staske, sadly Captain ?Dale "Snort" Snodgass died in his own aircraft on take off in I believe Idaho this past weekend. The man will sorely be missed R IP Snort.
What a wonderful experience and memory you have. Are you able to share a memory of his leadership and how it inspired confidence in the sailors/crew? RIP.
I think I remember you Barnhill. If I remember correctly you were an AD1. Yea, Skipper always took good care of us. All we had to do for him was provide good jets. Those seem like the good old days, in retrospect. 🛫🛬
We must give tribute to Snodgrass both in his unquestionable greatness and also in those uncomfortable details that we should and must learn from. I'm pretty sure that during his lifetime, he used his fighter pilot attitude to correct more than a few people he dealth with. According to the blancolirio and probablecause channels here in YT, it appears (not conclusive as of this date) that his plane's elevator trim was set backwards after maintenance done on it. A thorough pre-flight and buddy assisted check up after maintenance is an absolute imperative. His trim was set backwards and he did not check on that because he sounded rushed and skipped those verifications. It appears so far that that cost him his life. I' pretty sure that if he could, he would use his fighter pilot attitude, great and noble heart and flying greatness to give advice to us to slow down, "cool our jets", be thorough and save our lives, even after he paid the ultimate price with his own. A truly great pilot and human like the rest of us!
RIP Captain. A true airman and flying legend. He left us doing what he loved the most. One may be the best pilot ever, but some things are simply beyond our control.
I have 1 memory of "Snort" flying with the "Black Diamonds" aerobatic team at the Atlantic City airshow I'd like to share..I was lucky enough to be on the boat that was directly at airshow center about a half mile out from the beach and it was practice day... (the day before the actual airshow) and Snort was flying a modified T33 as SOLO with the Diamonds ...well, he flew so low over the water it was unreal... maybe 7 ft. over the ocean at 500 m.p.h.! (I got the pics to prove it!) THEN... at the end of his routine ,he flew over our boat so low he almost took the antenna and mast off the top of our ship...literally! He knew we had a bunch of pro photographers and "hardcore" airshow freaks onboard and wanted to give us a thrill...well he certainly did THAT!...we all just all laughed in dis-belief!
@@furyofbongos probably 8 -9 years ago or so...I met him personally a few times...fairly big ego(like most fighter pilots) but could back up his cockiness with some damn good flying skills! I heard the "Maverick"character in the Top Gun movies was modeled after him...Him and my friend Warbird pilot Ed Shipley seemed to have a competition goin on who could fly the lowest and craziest...Ed came in so low in his F86 during an airshow 1 time, that the pyrotechnics explosions on the ground burned the bottom of his plane so bad it had to be grounded and re-built! Snort tore up alot of aircraft also esp. F14's! cheers, Mustangmike.
Whatttt ? I just learned his Flying West a week ago Saturday, July 24; here's a "Nickel in the Grass" for you 👍 Blessed Happy Landings in God’s Heaven, R.I.P. Well if this pilots' pilot unfortunately bought the farm in a single-engine prop "puddle-jumper" with all his expertise and precision flying, tell you all what, as a GA private pilot, I am hanging up my shingle!
Such a small world. I was just a kid in Oceana Va Beach and I remember that name clear as a bell. In 88 Snort was an LCDR stationed in Oceana. He was ripping the new A+ Cats off the runway and going vertical all the time. He had flight privilege more than anyone else at the time. AIMD was right behind the flight line. I watched the lucky bastard testing the New GE motors nearly every day. I wanna say he was attached to VF101 at the time. I'll find out here in a minute. Bingo! @21 he said an LSO for VF101. That's when I was an AT I level SeaOpDet to the America. He would have been on a shore duty rotation. 101 would go out for training and be on the boat for 2 week flight ops training rotation. The USSR was looming the largest ever at the time. So were we. Reagan was President and we were building towards the 600 ship Navy. I'm 54 now, Desert Storm was a long time ago and then it ended. I went to Raytheon. I should have stayed. Hindsight is....
Pretty sure it was Snort who flew the F-14 at the Quonset Point air show in '86. I was part of the air show team and got to be there when they arrived a day early. Gave us a little show that day. IIRC him and Dave Howe (can't recall his call sign) flew in two planes (primary and a backup) from VFA-143 the Pukin' Dogs.
He probably would have made admiral but he told me once in an email that he didn't want that. He wanted to keep flying and do the airshow circuit. One of the best ever. I saw the Black Diamonds back in 2014 at MCAS Cherry point and they are really good. Here he is solo flying an L-39 with the Black Diamonds a few years back. He really mows the lawn: th-cam.com/video/cpXddoRQYpU/w-d-xo.html
@@slowpoke96Z28 Sure you could fly. He just didn't want all the administration of the command it appeared. Most senior officers above Captain don't have the time to fly.
Much respect sir for everything you've done and when you said f8f bearcat I have seen them fly at several air shows I've read about them extensively the most beautiful thought out Grumman Iron Works aircraft I love this aircraft I'm into the f7f tiger cat now what are your takes on that aircraft you're a true private sir and I respect every bit of it love you man thank you you are the man
Not so surprising considering he spent most of the time in a plane which had 2 engines and it’s single engine performance was still far better than of that “puddle jumper”.
I'll mention what 99% don't know is he lost his baby sister just over a month before his death , so who knows what was going on in his mind at the time. It's easy to poke all the negatives of what a professional should remember, but then personal losses from family member is tragic no matter what. Who knows what was going on in his head at that time.
RIP, it was more than an honor to have shared a cockpit and an adult beverage with this great Aviator. He has thrilled millions and was an awesome guy to break bread with. We will all miss you and the wake you left with your life...
Just 30 minutes into this video and I can see why this guy was loved so much. Hope we still have guys like this protecting our nation.
What a sad ending to a great aviator and aviation icon. RIP and God Bless!
C.w are you from lafayette
@@francescogiovannucci586 No Sir, just a friend of his that enjoyed his friendship after he had retired to the air show circuit. My aviation was in the rotor-wing community in Public Service. Other than personal flying...
I was an aviation electrician in VF-33 during Snorts command. That Key West tour I remember well. When he said he stressed aircraft 9-10 g’s. He came back once with missing panels. The calfax screws on many other panels were missing or loose. He always said just give me guns. I was also privileged to be on the flight deck in the squadron when the famous photo of his low level maneuver was taken around the USS America. I’m privileged to have a picture with him shaking my hand and giving me a Letter of Commendation as my Company Commander. Heartbreaking to hear of his accident. I was not a pilot but privileged to have served under him and as a shop troubleshooter final checked many of his flights while in VF-33. He will be missed.
I bet Airframes hated him
@@J.Doza46 when he flew in airshows and wanted to fly certain planes the owners didn’t want him too cause he stressed the aircraft. 😂
Dude had balls and needed a wheel barrow to go to the jet. Lung was the same way, Ol kick the tires a day light the fires
He is the real Maverick
@@adamgajewski81 lmfao😂
Great stories from a true warrior RIP Dale.
RIP Snort, A legend in the community and an American hero.
this one hurts
RIP Snort 😢. I remember seeing him at air shows in the Tomcat as a kid. You don’t forget that name Snodgrass.
RIP Snort. You were the man. Fair winds and following seas.
snart
Picking up the 100th Tomcat that your Dad's employer built had to be a highlight as Father/Son/Pilot.
I was stationed on the Nimitz when Snort was there. I was an air intercept controller out of CIC and controlled him several times until he rotated off then worked with him when our Tomcats went to FFARP.. Twenty years of carrier duty and working with guys like Snort you definitely come back with stories.
It was an honor to serve with LCDR Snodgrass, at the time, with the VF-143 Pukindogs as Ops Yeoman on the USS Eisenhower Ready Room. Great Fighter Pilot and finer gentleman. RIP Snort.
This is a heartbreaking loss! Snort was a friend, a brother and an inspiration. He was the reason I started making custom watches, and he helped develop my company. Thank you Snort for the guidance and friendship. I'll miss you!
One of the greatest pilots i ever saw...god speed Snort
Yes snort had around 400 night carrier landings... got to respect this man! Love the Tomcats!
Rest in Peace Snort.
May all of us aviators carry on his legacy and continue educating the people of his legacy. Fly high, Sir.
I'm sorry for everyone's loss, he was an amazing man Rip Dale
RIP Capt Dale “Snort” Snodgrass
We need to get at least 4 tomcats flying again in the honor of Dale and those who came before him in the tomcat. I’d say name the team the Snodgrass heritage squadron. I know it a very long stretch but will power is one heck of a thing. Rip Captain Snodgrass.
Ill gladly be the Mech
Sierra Hotel! I'm in!
Spread the word!
that's a nice sentiment but the it was even too expensive to operate when there were hundreds in service and parts were being mass produced. There are no spare parts for them anymore, everything was destroyed to deny Iran access to them. besides, the block III Super Hornet is just flat out better.
Yeah i get it, it was Iconic, so was the F-4, the F-86, the P-51 and the Corsair. When it was in service it's only real rival was the F-15, that wouldn't be the case today. It's always going to be a legend. no use trying to relive the glory days.
Grim reapers did a honor flight in dcs with F14
Such a legend. I have a feeling that he will be known by many more in the wake of his passing. The world needs to hear the stories of such amazing Americans. This is an example of true blue badass! Watch and Learn
Rest in peace Snort. Blue skies.
Clearly an honorable and exceptional man. We salute you on this sad day.
May all the angels sing opera. You'll be missed.
Who will
An absolute legend, great aviator and human. RIP - Blue Skies and Tailwinds Capt Dale "Snort" Snodgrass
You can always tell an honest man/pilot by his willingness to so quickly share embarrassing and oops stories about himself. Snort must have been great!
He was. Well spotted:)
I know Snort. I flew Tomcats in the 80's at NAS Miramar. He's a great pilot, but like a lot of us, has a very high opinion of himself - as you can see from his video/lecture. I saw his Tomcat 3000 HRS patch at the O'Club.
I understand :) do you have some stories about dogfights with landing flaps vs f15 or f18 and torque tube damaged? It would be interesting, thanks!
Don't you have your own 3000 hrs. patch?
he wanted to be the best of the best and he did a fairly good job of reaching that goal..I met him a few times at airshows over the years...a bit cocky, (like all fighter pilots..esp. Chuck Yeager!) but friendly enough...He lived his dream...Whatever you focus on in your life..is what you will become...funny he died in such a slow aircraft considering all the supersonic and high performance aircraft he flew over the years....just like Scott Crossfield(1st man to exceed mach 2) and many other great pilots...when its your time...its your time I guess R.I.P. Snort ...glad I had the privilege of meeting you..you were an inspiration for many to be the best they can be.......
@@mustangmikep51: 🙏🛐❤💔😢🇺🇲✌🤝👏
@@mustangmikep51 I'd say that he did a fairly good job is an understatement
A truly great American. RIP.
RIP Snort! You were a mentor, friend, comrade in arms and dedicated to the profession of a Fighter Pilot. Under the definition of a Fighter Pilot should be your image. You have trained and mentored a generation of aviators. You will be forever missed my friend!
Blue Skies Snort..Blue Skies 🙏❤
Cahill, we miss you on the right coast!
Flavio "Buck" Kauffmann - Brazilian Air Force. Missing our good times as young fighter pilots, I remember my great friend, and surfing partner in Rio, "Snort" and our coexistence during the VF-33 in USS Constellation campaign in South America back in 1990. RIP
Rest in peace great Snort. You certainly will find an F-14 to fly in our Heaven. Blue skies great man and aviator
Ill betcha its a F-14B too
Snort is the man! His air shows in the F-14 was unreal!
Miss watching the tomcat fly. There is nothing like it. Airshows just are not same as they were before.
@@shawnomack45 It was unreal. People who never saw Tomcat in real life, don't understand. I have seen F-18 in airshows and as much people praise it, it simply does not compare to the show the F-14 put on. Not even remotely close.
@@KLRGT500KR it was definitely unreal. I go to usually 2 or 3 airshow a year since I was born and I'm 34 now tomcat is definitely my favorite. Thankfully I have old vhs tapes of airshows that I can show my kids some of the great stuff they will unfortunately never see
@@shawnomack45 Yeah, exactly. I also enjoy the same videos on youtube you do. Some of Snort's 80s airshow demos are simply stunning when he was doing a lot of fast and high-G maneuvers. I recently saw one of the last Tomcat videos, which was a night time video in full afterburners where the Tomcat does a minimum radius turn in full afterburner and then a vertical departure right over the head of the audience. You see the burners getting smaller and smaller until it vanishes into the upper atmosphere. It went to probably 50,000+ feet.
@@KLRGT500KR Can I see a single example of the Tomcat being "unreal" at displays? I've seen quite a few F-16 and Rafale videos that made me impressed, but never an F-14 so far...
It really is a tough thing when guys you admired for years start passing away, sadly it seems to be happening with far too much frequency. RIP, great American patriot.
The Best of the Best of the Best.
"....with honors!"
What a awesome story from the legendary Capt Dale Snort Snodgrass , that knife edge pass was smoking hot off the port side of the USS America ❤️👍🇺🇸
Did you know: After high school, Snodgrass attended the University of Minnesota on a Navy ROTC scholarship and was also an All-American swimmer. Snodgrass graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1972
As an AMH3 who served at the same time "Snort" was beginning his Navy career as an Aviator, this video brought back many fine memories. Fair Winds with Following Seas, Capt.
RIP Sir and thank you for your service.
A true national treasure gone to soon! RIP
What a Guy! Not just great/skilled pilot but truely awsome storyteller! Pure joy to watch.
What a gift he was to the United States Navy, to his country, to the men and women who flew with him over his long career, and to the fans who saw him perform in air shows. Bigger shoes to fill than Snort's don't get left behind everyday. He was a mentor and an inspiration to aviators the world over. Pilots like him are the ones who inspire new pilots. He's gone, but certainly not forgotten. Flying with a different crew now. If angels do indeed have wings, Snort will be the man to show them how to put em to good use. RIP Snort.
Nice 👍🏼
RIP Snort, that was a great talk.
I was spell bound by this presentation.
RIP. An all time great of aviation.
Blue skies and tailwinds.
RIP Snort, forever a Legend; from metal wings to real ones, aviators never stop flying not even in death. condolences to his family he is an American hero.
I’ve seen f-18, 22 and now 35 training in new England river valleys. It is deafening when they pass. He’s right it’s so much cooler than an air show.
Rip, the world lost a good man
What a career he’s had. RIP snort.
I am proud to have been a sailor and Aircrewman especially after hearing all of the Capt's stories.
RIP Snort. A true hero, gentleman, husband, father and naval aviator.
Passed away today in Idaho. RIP
I would have loved to see "Snort" given the opportunity to oversee and be the test pilot for the "Super Tomcat" that was never built. He would have had a blast, and we would have seen an awesome plane as a result. RIP #TheRealMaverick
God Bless Captain Snodgrass.
Superb lecture….So long “Snort”
Wish the services had tons more “Snorts” around. They’d have no problem with recruiting.
RIP, baby, if there’s one airplane in heaven , it’s your tomcat
Sounded like he'd prefer the F-5 or A4 but yea, I guess his F-14 made him famous
he wont need his tomcat anymore he has real wings now. RIP Snort.
RIP "SNORT" may you fly that TOMCAT forever in the heavens.
Fair winds and following seas, Snort.
An amazing and insightful lecture, loved every moment of it. Has he written his memoirs? The way he talks make me think he would write well and would love to learn more of his career.
Tomcats Forever!
2:50 some Iranian pilot is like “hold my near-beer...”
I was a young Navy Corpsman aboard a Guided Missile Destroyer in Norfolk, in 1974, went to an Airshow at NAS Oceana where I first saw the Tomcat, the most impressive sight I have ever seen, I'd like to think a young Captain Snort was the Pilot, maybe he was, Sail on Captain, we need you, we miss you..DOC Mike USN
Flying with Chuck Yeager now !!
"unless I go to Iran and steal one". Comment aged well after topgun 2
Just found this...wow great speaker. With a great style. Love it!
@ken staske, sadly Captain ?Dale "Snort" Snodgass died in his own aircraft on take off in I believe Idaho this past weekend. The man will sorely be missed
R IP Snort.
@@samrodian919 O man sorry to hear this.
He lived an amazing life.
As much as I love Tomcats it's interesting to learn that Snort's favorite Navy aircraft was the A4. RIP Mr. Snodgrass sir.
RIP, this guy was the real deal. Respect! Gunzo...
RIP Snort incredible pilot
One of the best commanding officers that I ever served for! VF-33 Starfighters, U.S.S. America CV-66.
What a wonderful experience and memory you have. Are you able to share a memory of his leadership and how it inspired confidence in the sailors/crew? RIP.
I think I remember you Barnhill. If I remember correctly you were an AD1. Yea, Skipper always took good care of us. All we had to do for him was provide good jets. Those seem like the good old days, in retrospect. 🛫🛬
Legend has it he requested to fly through Hangar Bay 3 Dont know if that was true or a salty lie. But if Im a bettin man. He could have done it
We must give tribute to Snodgrass both in his unquestionable greatness and also in those uncomfortable details that we should and must learn from. I'm pretty sure that during his lifetime, he used his fighter pilot attitude to correct more than a few people he dealth with. According to the blancolirio and probablecause channels here in YT, it appears (not conclusive as of this date) that his plane's elevator trim was set backwards after maintenance done on it.
A thorough pre-flight and buddy assisted check up after maintenance is an absolute imperative. His trim was set backwards and he did not check on that because he sounded rushed and skipped those verifications. It appears so far that that cost him his life. I' pretty sure that if he could, he would use his fighter pilot attitude, great and noble heart and flying greatness to give advice to us to slow down, "cool our jets", be thorough and save our lives, even after he paid the ultimate price with his own. A truly great pilot and human like the rest of us!
Latest update showed the control locks were left in place.
RIP Captain. A true airman and flying legend. He left us doing what he loved the most. One may be the best pilot ever, but some things are simply beyond our control.
That’s not really true is it ?
I have 1 memory of "Snort" flying with the "Black Diamonds" aerobatic team at the Atlantic City airshow I'd like to share..I was lucky enough to be on the boat that was directly at airshow center about a half mile out from the beach and it was practice day... (the day before the actual airshow) and Snort was flying a modified T33 as SOLO with the Diamonds ...well, he flew so low over the water it was unreal... maybe 7 ft. over the ocean at 500 m.p.h.! (I got the pics to prove it!) THEN... at the end of his routine ,he flew over our boat so low he almost took the antenna and mast off the top of our ship...literally! He knew we had a bunch of pro photographers and "hardcore" airshow freaks onboard and wanted to give us a thrill...well he certainly did THAT!...we all just all laughed in dis-belief!
What year was this?
@@furyofbongos probably 8 -9 years ago or so...I met him personally a few times...fairly big ego(like most fighter pilots) but could back up his cockiness with some damn good flying skills! I heard the "Maverick"character in the Top Gun movies was modeled after him...Him and my friend Warbird pilot Ed Shipley seemed to have a competition goin on who could fly the lowest and craziest...Ed came in so low in his F86 during an airshow 1 time, that the pyrotechnics explosions on the ground burned the bottom of his plane so bad it had to be grounded and re-built! Snort tore up alot of aircraft also esp. F14's! cheers, Mustangmike.
Snort is The Man….the Definitive Tomcat guy!! Rest in peace Sir….
RIP Legend you will be missed respect
RIP Snort. You will be truly missed
Rest in peace, Snort. You will be missed!
The knowledge of this old salt
Rip Snort fly high and thank you for your service.
Thanks for your service Snort, nex time i will win on TRONS carrier landing, Enrouk !!!!
RIp, SIR! What a wonderful life and career... Wow.
RIP Snort!!!! You were the man!!! S!
ten at a time for a dime. ten at a time for a dime.
A Motorcycle club that your Mother would be proud of, Oh my God! That does describe the Dog's so well and my Father's approach.
Actually helped VFa143 transition to the Super Hornet. VFA106 E/F det. Also done a few deployments with VFA143 in CAG7
Legend!!
What a pilot! Glad he was on our side! Sad ending, just sad.
One of a kind God rest his sole a true legend.
Whatttt ? I just learned his Flying West a week ago Saturday, July 24; here's a "Nickel in the Grass" for you 👍 Blessed Happy Landings in God’s Heaven, R.I.P.
Well if this pilots' pilot unfortunately bought the farm in a single-engine prop "puddle-jumper" with all his expertise and precision flying, tell you all what, as a GA private pilot, I am hanging up my shingle!
I'd love to hear some of "Snortly's" Joe "Hoser" Satrapa stories. I'm sure he has a few.
Absolutely
Such a small world. I was just a kid in Oceana Va Beach and I remember that name clear as a bell. In 88 Snort was an LCDR stationed in Oceana. He was ripping the new A+ Cats off the runway and going vertical all the time. He had flight privilege more than anyone else at the time. AIMD was right behind the flight line. I watched the lucky bastard testing the New GE motors nearly every day. I wanna say he was attached to VF101 at the time. I'll find out here in a minute. Bingo! @21 he said an LSO for VF101. That's when I was an AT I level SeaOpDet to the America. He would have been on a shore duty rotation. 101 would go out for training and be on the boat for 2 week flight ops training rotation. The USSR was looming the largest ever at the time. So were we. Reagan was President and we were building towards the 600 ship Navy. I'm 54 now, Desert Storm was a long time ago and then it ended. I went to Raytheon. I should have stayed. Hindsight is....
The older we get, the smaller the world gets! Cool post!
He took the navigator slot so he could get a good room This guy is the greatest!
Pretty sure it was Snort who flew the F-14 at the Quonset Point air show in '86. I was part of the air show team and got to be there when they arrived a day early. Gave us a little show that day. IIRC him and Dave Howe (can't recall his call sign) flew in two planes (primary and a backup) from VFA-143 the Pukin' Dogs.
Thats VF-143 (Respectfully)
He probably would have made admiral but he told me once in an email that he didn't want that. He wanted to keep flying and do the airshow circuit. One of the best ever. I saw the Black Diamonds back in 2014 at MCAS Cherry point and they are really good. Here he is solo flying an L-39 with the Black Diamonds a few years back. He really mows the lawn: th-cam.com/video/cpXddoRQYpU/w-d-xo.html
Cant fly at admiral?
@@slowpoke96Z28 Sure you could fly. He just didn't want all the administration of the command it appeared. Most senior officers above Captain don't have the time to fly.
I was told her overstressed too many airframes that sent them to scrap
@@adamgajewski81 Everybody overstressed airplanes back then.
Still a tomcat fan ❤🇺🇸🐱 and thank you all for your service 🇺🇸❤🇺🇸❤🇺🇸❤f14🐱s
Throw a Nickel on the grass. Godspeed, Snort.
Much respect sir for everything you've done and when you said f8f bearcat I have seen them fly at several air shows I've read about them extensively the most beautiful thought out Grumman Iron Works aircraft I love this aircraft I'm into the f7f tiger cat now what are your takes on that aircraft you're a true private sir and I respect every bit of it love you man thank you you are the man
Fair Winds and Following Seas sir! -s-
RIP, Snort
Great story about piloting the aircraft carrier max performance turn! RIP
RIP Snort.
Godspeed Snort… 😢
RIP Snort!! "Top Gun."
RIP to a Patriot!
that was awesome!!! what a loss....
Godspeed Snort, and I hope that among your vast legacy is an increased emphasis on pre-check vigilance and the preservation of life. BZ AR
Hard to believe that a single engine puddle jumper took Snort out. Fair winds and following seas Captain.
Not so surprising considering he spent most of the time in a plane which had 2 engines and it’s single engine performance was still far better than of that “puddle jumper”.
I'll mention what 99% don't know is he lost his baby sister just over a month before his death , so who knows what was going on in his mind at the time. It's easy to poke all the negatives of what a professional should remember, but then personal losses from family member is tragic no matter what. Who knows what was going on in his head at that time.
The NTSB report is out and it turns out he failed to remove the gust lock from the controls.
Who needs to run through a pre- flight checklist anyway?