@ United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
January 2014
While visiting relatives, I was able to get access to the Cadet Area. The primary feature of the area is a large, square pavilion known as The Terrazzo with the iconic Cadet Chapel. Four aircraft mark the corners of The Terrazzo. The F-16 was notable in many ways, one of the first aircraft to utilize a side stick controller and a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system to enhance combat maneuverability. The F-16’s official name is “Fighting Falcon”, but “Viper” is commonly used by its pilots and crews, due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake. This particular Viper was a non-flying testbed aircraft. Nikon D300 w/18-200mm, processed with Photomatix and Aperture.
