Fat Albert 'JATO' Take-Off 2009

M.C.A.S. Miramar Twilight Air Show
San Diego, CA
Saturday October 3, 2009

In this video:
Watch as Fat Albert performs one of it's last ever JATO take-offs. (jet assisted take-off)

[biscuitninja]

Pilot: Flight officer prepare for lift off... I mean... take off....

[thesunexpress]

"VTEC just kicked in yo!!1!' "

[chelle]

I was lucky enough to hear one of these JATO takeoffs in person at an airshow....that sound is unlike anything I have ever heard before.... #SaluteFatAlbert

[gagecoffelt]

And thats how you climb 500ft in 3 seconds 

[lesbrown]

Saw a Herc launch at CFB Cold Lake AB in 1972.
Not quite like this one. The plane was basically taxiing and there was a puff of smoke and about 8 bright pink darts appeared. Then the loudest noise I believe I have ever heard. It was at least a half mile away and the ground just shook. The airplane went about 2 lengths of itself and was literally shot about 200 feet in the air where they leveled off and went flying.
Never forget it.

[UshTheGreat]

Imagine the vibrations in the cockpit -.-

[Thatguy]

I remember seeing this at Spirit airport in 07. We were as close as we could get. Soooo loud but seeing that 130 go nearly vertical was breathtaking! Loved it.

[MrBikedrummer]

I've seen it in person. It looks like science fiction as the behemoth of a plane lumbers down the strip. The jets turn on and that thing climbs high in a short amount of time. I get the chills of excitement knowing it's on our side. So darn impressive!

[stereopolice]

It's called the Large Person Albert now.

[melz]

Im so glad i got to see one of these in real life before they stopped making them. such a cool sight

[jimsworthow]

Saw this at an airshow at Mcdill AFB and loved it!

[khyr]

It never gets old. Riding the lightening!. GO ALLBERT!. Amazing that they went from a 8 second ride in 1945, , to 20 seconds now. Looking forward to the air shows this summer.

[OHAREAVIATION]

Still a fantastic and favorite video of mine!

[tryhardsmokey]

I wanna experience those g's at least once in my life.

[youtube.youtube.]

The commentator used to announce that the cost of the rockets for Fat Albert's take-off was $200, 000 per show. That was more than all the fuel expended for all other aircraft in the show combined.

[dalejohnson]

I actually had the honor of getting to take a RATO flight on old Fatty when I was stationed at Cherry Point NC at the hospital, the flight surgeon whom I knew got me this one lifetime of a ride.

[yo]

Watching this was always a highlight of a blue angels display, sad I’ll never see it again.

[yashaswisharma]

I want that, I have no idea what i will do with it but I want it.

[Imnotyourdoormat]

A sister ship to this great video is seeing a big Herc take off and land on an aircraft carrier, with no rato/jato or arrestor gear, says, "Look Ma No Hook" on the nose. Even used the angle deck once....the HERC is the bomb!!!

[josiahricafrente]

I remember seeing Fat Albert performing a JATO takeoff at K-Bay back when I was a little kid. I had never seen the Blue Angels before that time, and it scared the bejeezus outta me!