Fighter Jets (?) Over the Villages

[BostonRich]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.

[BrianL99]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.

Maybe an A-10 Warthog? One of the toughest, baddest airplanes ever flown.

There was a thread here or on FaceBook about the flyovers, yesterday & today. Training runs over Ocala National Forest: Hearing loud booms? Navy dropping bombs in Ocala (https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/01/06/hearing-loud-booms-navy-dropping-bombs-in-ocala/)

[Pairadocs]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.

Definitely saw and HEARD them while playing Pimlico ! Seemed like being at an air show the way they did some very sudden/sharp moves !

[MrFlorida]

The Villages air force on a training mission.

[Taltarzac725]

MILAVIA Air Show Calendar 2023 - Airshows in Florida (https://www.milavia.net/airshows/calendar/showdates-2023-north_america-US-FL.html)

I do not see any air shows this month anywhere near the Villages.

Aerospace and Aviation Day 2023 | Orlando Sanford International Airport (https://aviationdayorlandosanford.com/)

[Babubhat]

Track planes here

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live (https://globe.adsbexchange.com/)

[patfla06]

I heard and saw the two jets go over us in Gilchrist.

[Taltarzac725]

Track planes here

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live (https://globe.adsbexchange.com/)

Probably does not track military planes?

[Papa_lecki]

The Villages air force on a training mission.

Where’s the petition to put a bubble over The Villages so we don’t have to hear the jets?

[Southwest737]

The close air support tank killing A-10. Its 30 mm Gatling gun will shred enemy armor. I love it. Best part of my golf outing was seeing them flyby.

[mkjelenbaas]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.
No - I did not see it - but what is the point - who cares?

[Worldseries27]

the villages air force on a training mission.
nope. Tom cruise filming top gun # 3, 4 & 5 over his retirement village

[me4vt]

They didn’t say “Plane down”������

[RICH1]

Saw them doing recon over the Roundabouts… possible targets

[donfey]

Yup - A-10 Warthogs. I figure it was ANG guys just out havin' fun, getting in their flying time. GREAT airplane!

[Worldseries27]

maybe an a-10 warthog? One of the toughest, baddest airplanes ever flown.

There was a thread here or on facebook about the flyovers, yesterday & today. Training runs over ocala national forest: hearing loud booms? Navy dropping bombs in ocala (https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/01/06/hearing-loud-booms-navy-dropping-bombs-in-ocala/)
america's greatest aircraft ever

[3105boy]

Be thankful we have AF Reservists and Air National Guard pilots. They are truly the best. Expect them to drill on weekends and holidays.

[NoMo50]

Ahhh...the A-10 Warthog. For the bad guys, a real sphincter shrinker.

[Fearless]

Probably does not track military planes?
There is the capability for the ADS-B Exchange website to track military planes. I have used it before.

[Skunky1]

No military training exercise should be conducted over heavily populated area such as The Villages.

[buckeyeright1]

“The sound of freedom”

[Indydealmaker]

You Know Who is stepping up his surveillance of The Villages domestic terrorists.

[MarkD1981]

No military training exercise should be conducted over heavily populated area such as The Villages.

Two A-10s flew overhead (I was at Bonifay) on their way somewhere. Not practicing combat or anything crazy. No seniors were harmed.

[Lindaws]

Saw them &heard them in Hemingway around noon

[BlueHeronFan]

I saw them too. There were College Football Bowl games in Orlando and Tampa that day. I assume those were National Anthem fly overs.

[PJackpot]

No - I did not see it - but what is the point - who cares?

Aren't we Mr. Cheerful. Someone pee in your wheaties today?

[Janie123]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.
My guess was lining up for a fly over the Orlando stadium… it was about 20 min prior to kickoff and they headed in that direction.

[Regorp]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.
Probably Tom Cruise practicing for the next Top Gun movie coming to Florida.

[golfing eagles]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.

A 10 Warthogs hunting snowbirds in roundabouts who were speeding away from dog poop they didn't clean-up to create a line at the Rec center for a class after being shut out of their tee time by the snowbird who logged on first looking for the entrance to a MMP to drive their car upon. That should about cover it.:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[ThirdOfFive]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.
Yes. Impressive.

Apparently the military is not bound by FAA regulations, which prohibit flight over densely populated areas less than 1,000 feet above the highest point of the area in question.

Though last winter I did see a paramotor pretty low over Spanish Springs; maybe 500' or so.

[Haggar]

Two A-10s flew overhead (I was at Bonifay) on their way somewhere. Not practicing combat or anything crazy. No seniors were harmed.

The 122th Fighter Wing from Ft Wayne, IN flew planes in to support Purdue.
The Citrus Bowl started at 1PM so high likelyiood these were those planes.

[El Gout Toe]

One of those fine men just might have been our son Jimmy Wayne. He and a squadron mate, let's call her Kathy, were selected for the flyover at the Citrus Bowl. He might have been able to get some great shots of our home, including Randi and I waving from our birdcage. You might even be able to tell what kind of six inch subs we got from Subway. (Veggie Delight)

[Mortal1]

No - I did not see it - but what is the point - who cares?

to speak your mind, but in some cases it's better if they don't. Why care? Really???

[BrianL99]

No military training exercise should be conducted over heavily populated area such as The Villages.

The best pilots in the world, flying single passenger aircraft, shouldn't be allow to fly over your head ... but it's ok for nit wits from 3rd world countries, with less than 500 real time hours of experience, to land airplanes full of passengers at LaGuardia Airport?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

The close air support tank killing A-10. Its 30 mm Gatling gun will shred enemy armor. I love it. Best part of my golf outing was seeing them flyby.
FireBall!!!

[Geodyssey]

The close air support tank killing A-10. Its 30 mm Gatling gun will shred enemy armor. I love it. Best part of my golf outing was seeing them flyby.

It can do everything but win wars!

[BrianL99]

Apparently the military is not bound by FAA regulations, which prohibit flight over densely populated areas less than 1,000 feet above the highest point of the area in question.



The military is bound by FAA Regulations and you can bet your bottom dollar, that no Military flight broke any air space regulations over The Villages. Here's the VFR Sectional of the area, if you know how to read it, you can figure it out what they can do and can't do.

[Daxdog]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.

They were A-10’s out of Moody AFB, Valdosta Ga. Flew them in Desert Storm.

[ASR1515]

Definitely Warthogs. Probably training flight from Jax or Pensacola.

[Number 10 GI]

Between 1966 and 1969 I was assigned to an anti-aircraft missile battery in Germany. I pulled some time in a guard tower around the launching area where the missiles were stored. The tower platforms were 35 feet above the ground and being on the top of a small mountain you had a good view of the area. There were German and American airbases nearby and the pilots found a game to play with us.
You could see the jets coming in from about 6 or 7 miles away flying nap of the earth, skimming a few feet above the ground following the rise and fall of the terrain. They loved to buzz our site, especially the guard towers. I was on guard duty one day and could see a jet coming, flying lower than I'd seen before. It was headed straight for my tower and I was worried it would hit me, but at the last minute the pilot turned a bit and flew past my tower causing it to vibrate from the air blast of it's passage. When he went by, I could see his face turned looking at me. He was on the same level as my tower.
Apparently word got around to the other pilots how much fun it was to watch tower guards freak out and it got so bad that one guard got so scared he ran down the steps of the tower and jumped from about 20 feet up. Luckily, he wasn't injured just embarrassed. Our commander went up the chain of command and lodged a formal complaint and the buzzing of our site stopped.

[Number 10 GI]

The A10 is impressive. I got to watch a combined training exercise involving infantry anti-armor elements and A10s attacking target tanks. That gatling gun on the A10 can spit out a lot of death and destruction on a target.

[ThirdOfFive]

The military is bound by FAA Regulations and you can bet your bottom dollar, that no Military flight broke any air space regulations over The Villages. Here's the VFR Sectional of the area, if you know how to read it, you can figure it out what they can do and can't do.
91.119 Minimum safe altitudes; general

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the
following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere – An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without
undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas – Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over
any open-air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle
within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
(c) Over other than congested areas – An altitude of 500 feet above the surface except over
open water or sparsely populated areas. In that case, the aircraft may not be operated
closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
(d) Helicopters – Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed In
paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons
or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply
with routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator

[Sherrilee]

No - I did not see it - but what is the point - who cares?

Who cares? The people who are practicing to fight for America do- citizens should that we are protected do- to see these powerful jets flown by our military is impressive and humbling that we get to live in this country. It you are a “senior “ and lived through any war - or fought in one - you should care!!

[daveczo]

No - I did not see it - but what is the point - who cares?

Pretty obvious that most people on this thread care and would like to know. Go back into your closet and get rest.

[doctorknow]

If they were Navy jets they are from Aircraft Carriers out in the Ocean that fly on practice bombing missions in a bomb range in the Ocala Forest. Occasionally they like to fly around and practice maneuvers too which may bring them over the villages.

[Skunky1]

The Air Force takes very seriously noise problems associated with low-altitude training. For example, most low-level flying is limited to daylight hours and low-level flying near densely populated areas is prohibited.

[DonH57]

Yup - A-10 Warthogs. I figure it was ANG guys just out havin' fun, getting in their flying time. GREAT airplane!
Someone I knew saw them too!

[PugMom]

Saw them doing recon over the Roundabouts… possible targets

spit my coffee onto the screen with that one!!! ahahahaa!

[BrianL99]

91.119 Minimum safe altitudes; general

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the
following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere – An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without
undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas – Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over
any open-air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle
within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
(c) Over other than congested areas – An altitude of 500 feet above the surface except over
open water or sparsely populated areas. In that case, the aircraft may not be operated
closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
(d) Helicopters – Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed In
paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons
or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply
with routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator

Every pilot, from a novice student to an ATP, knows the rules of MSA.

I was playing golf in TV on Monday & Tuesday and saw military aircraft overfly both of the courses I played. Obviously a guess, but based on 25 years as an Instrument Rated Pilot, I'd estimate they were flying at about 3000' - 3500' when I saw them.

The A-10 Pilots on the this site would know way better, what the mission was and at what altitude they were flying.

[ThirdOfFive]

Every pilot, from a novice student to an ATP, knows the rules of MSA.

I was playing golf in TV on Monday & Tuesday and saw military aircraft overfly both of the courses I played. Obviously a guess, but based on 25 years as an Instrument Rated Pilot, I'd estimate they were flying at about 3000' - 3500' when I saw them.

The A-10 Pilots on the this site would know way better, what the mission was and at what altitude they were flying.
So it comes down to interpretation of altitude. Maybe you're right, but I saw them too and they looked a lot closer than that.

Military pilots aren't averse to hijinks. Personal experience. Some years (decades?) back, in a 172, I was on approach to the Duluth, MN airport. This was back when Duluth was still an active Air Defense Command base. About five miles out we saw two aircraft (Wolf 1 and Wolf 2, according to the radio) departing. I continued my heading having no communication from the tower to deviate. They headed right for us. At the last possible second one went right, the other left.

Scared the bleep out of my wife. "My GAWD!! They're gonna KILL us!!

At the last possible second one went right, the other left. I could just about hear them laughing (in my mind anyway).

And yes. I can read a sectional.

[BrianL99]

So it comes down to interpretation of altitude. Maybe you're right, but I saw them too and they looked a lot closer than that.

Military pilots aren't averse to hijinks. Personal experience. Some years (decades?) back, in a 172, I was on approach to the Duluth, MN airport. This was back when Duluth was still an active Air Defense Command base. About five miles out we saw two aircraft (Wolf 1 and Wolf 2, according to the radio) departing. I continued my heading having no communication from the tower to deviate. They headed right for us. At the last possible second one went right, the other left.

Scared the bleep out of my wife. "My GAWD!! They're gonna KILL us!!

At the last possible second one went right, the other left. I could just about hear them laughing (in my mind anyway).

And yes. I can read a sectional.

I departed FIT in my Cirrus late one afternoon. Climbing for 3000', I looked out my window and saw (6) A-10 Wathogs, screamin' towards me. Apparently they had just departed Hanscom AFB, about 25 miles to the east. Looked like they were 500' off my wingtip and same altitude. I'm sure they were higher and farther away, but when you see one of those monsters, it's hard to judge the distance.

[Siegfried]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.

When they “fly sideways” it’s the best time to launch your missiles. We’re depending on you.

[Normal]

Obviously we are having problems with UFOs again. Rumors have circulated that sand circles were spotted south of 44. Ya sure, “just test holes.” Aliens may even be among us. Have you seen the drivers in the traffic circles? And do you suppose “men in black” are just dressing that way for seasonal purposes (WINK…WINK)? Just how new are those “Newcomers”? It may be time to break out the big guns, the Gold Wing Nut Villages Drone Force may need to be called into action. Colonel Papa Pineapples of the Leesburg Guard has likely already been ordered to report for duty.

[JMintzer]

No - I did not see it - but what is the point - who cares?

I'm surprised you didn't suggest the OP "call the Air Force/Navy" to find out what was going on... :ohdear:

[Nucky]

When we lived in the flight path of Newark International Airport and all flights we grounded it was weird, the silence that is. Shortly after 9/11 aircraft from the military started flying over the N.Y. & N.J. area on a regular basis. It is a very different sound that once heard can never be forgotten.
I heard the sound that the OP is speaking about and wonder if something was going on or was it just training. The noise is still tremendously traumatizing all these years later. Hopefully it was just training!

[Hmfed16]

No - I did not see it - but what is the point - who cares?

The point is, who cares? The point is that it’s just an interesting event.
If a blimp flew over, that would be an interesting event. No one said it was scary or threatening. I saw them, and I thought, how cool is that?

[villager7591]

Yes, they were A-10's. We saw them while playing Volusia.

[Skunky1]

Florida crash of high-tech F-22 blamed on human error, glitches and tape.

Imagine this crash happening in the villages.

[Skunky1]

1988 Remscheid A-10 crash - Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Remscheid_A-10_crash)

[BostonRich]

Thanks for all the informative replies. Warthogs came to mind but I wasn't sure. It was a very impressive site right from my back yard!

[coloniegal]

Anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the Villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.

We saw them while standing in our driveways, the way the plane was coming in we thought it was going to crash. No military markings, heard later there is an air show somewhere near here.

[ex34449]

An A-10 loud? I didn't see or hear them but an A-10 isn't a loud acft in flight. It uses a similar turbofan engine to many commercial acft. I worked on them for many years.

[ThirdOfFive]

An A-10 loud? I didn't see or hear them but an A-10 isn't a loud acft in flight. It uses a similar turbofan engine to many commercial acft. I worked on them for many years.

Many commercial aircraft use turbofans. AiBbus, Boeing 737, Boeing 747 cargo aircraft, many foreign carriers, etc. A Boeing 737 with both engines a cruise power (which is what the A-10s seemed to be at) will make a pretty significant racket if passing overhead at the altitude the Warthogs seem to be. FOUR turbofans about 500' off the ground (according to most estimates) WILL be loud. They were loud enough herd to shake the house and make me think there was really heavy equipment moving into the neighborhood. I ran outside in time to get a good view of them as they passed overhead and continued on.

[NobodyCares]

Thanks for sharing the link. I’m amazed at the amount of aerial traffic over the villages.


Track planes here

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live (https://globe.adsbexchange.com/)

[BobnBev]

A 10 Warthogs hunting snowbirds in roundabouts who were speeding away from dog poop they didn't clean-up to create a line at the Rec center for a class after being shut out of their tee time by the snowbird who logged on first looking for the entrance to a MMP to drive their car upon. That should about cover it.:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Exactly what I was gonna say.:boom:

[THUNDERCHIEF]

anyone else see the two military jets (?) that flew over the northern part of the villages yesterday. They were headed right over me but then did an impressive sharp banked left turn and headed back west flying sideways showing their bellies. They were pretty low and following very closely. Don't know what they were but the wings were very straight and they had two tails. Just wondering if anyone else saw them and know anything about them. The roar was very loud.
sounds like a a-10 warthog from your description--jack usaf retired great airplane for close air ground support and low level flight operations

[Two Bills]

It can do everything but win wars!

But it may help shorten one!

[Aloha1]

No - I did not see it - but what is the point - who cares?

Because military readiness is a necessity in these times. That's why you should care.

[Aloha1]

sounds like a a-10 warthog from your description--jack usaf retired great airplane for close air ground support and low level flight operations

I'll make a WAG that your handle is in honor of the F-105 Thunderchief. I was just a kid when it first flew but I had to have the Revelle model kit of it!

[ex34449]

Many commercial aircraft use turbofans. AiBbus, Boeing 737, Boeing 747 cargo aircraft, many foreign carriers, etc. A Boeing 737 with both engines a cruise power (which is what the A-10s seemed to be at) will make a pretty significant racket if passing overhead at the altitude the Warthogs seem to be. FOUR turbofans about 500' off the ground (according to most estimates) WILL be loud. They were loud enough herd to shake the house and make me think there was really heavy equipment moving into the neighborhood. I ran outside in time to get a good view of them as they passed overhead and continued on.

Hardly a comparison. Yes they are all turbofans and that's about where similarities end.
An A-10's TF34 produces roughly 9,000 lbf
A 737 CFM56 produces nearly 30,000 lbf. Over 3 times as much as an TF34. A 747 GEnx engine makes more than twice that of the CFM56.
Like comparing a Jeep 2.0 to a Nascar powerplant.
I had to look up the last 2, the A-10 engine I've swapped out quite a few.