#Snort snodgrass driver#

However that shot off of the America is very widely used and most people seem to initially think it is either an edited photo, or a risky maneuver. He also serves as Draken International’s Chief Pilot, Director of Deployed Operations and Congressional Liaison. Snort currently flies as Lead Solo on the Black Diamond Jet Team supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This print is available in multiple sizes from – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. One of the least heralded, but perhaps the most important accomplishment of his career, was his oversight of the conversion of the Tomcat from a fleet defense interceptor to a deadly smart bomber. Given the widely varied performance envelopes of the two Grumman fighters, it was one of the most impressive displays of aeronautical skills imaginable. While still commander of FITWINGLANT, he devised and flew a formation aerobatic routine with a World War II-vintage Grumman F7F Tigercat, piloted by John Ellis. Atlantic Fleet, (FITWINGLANT) the home of all Navy F-14 squadrons when they were not at sea. According Lou Drendel’s book Tomcat: The Grumman F-14, he is the high-time F-14 Tomcat pilot (with over 4,800 hours in the F-14), a former Commander of Fighter Wing, U.S. He is closer to a modern-day Chuck Yeager-like prototypical fighter pilot. Snort is not your typical ex-naval aviator.

In fact the officer standing on the flight with his hands behind his back adjacent the LSO platform is CNO.” Currently he is the Chief of Naval Operations. There is no doubt that this pass was an aggressive low level maneuver, however, it was briefed to the Airwing Commander who happened to be Captain JL Johnson. I believe it is due to the focal length of the camera used. This photo indeed has a surrealistic quality. It was of my opening pass in the F-14 demo. I was Executive Officer of VF-33, the Captain of the America was JJ Coonan. It was taken during a dependent’s day airshow aboard the USS America in the summer of 1988. He wrote in 1998: “I am amazed that after nine years this photo is being scrutinized with such fervor.

#Snort snodgrass driver#

Taken in 1988 from the flight deck of USS America (CV-66) and the photo in this post shows F-14 Tomcat driver Capt Dale “Snort” Snodgrass performing his (in)famous super low banana pass.Īnd, as told by Sierra Hotel Aeronautics, no, Snort was not grounded. There is no doubt that this pass was an aggressive low level maneuver,” Dale “Snort” Snodgrass, former F-14 Tomcat driver “This photo indeed has a surrealistic quality.