View from the top

It's one thing to view the Chicago Air and Water show from the ground. But did you ever wonder what it's like for the pilots performing in the air? Which tricks are the most disorientating? Which require a barf bag? Northbrook native Ed Hamill, who performs 18 air shows a year in his Air Force Reserve Biplane and serves as an F-16 fighter jet instructor pilot, breaks down some of this weekend's maneuvers by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, the Firebirds Delta Team and the Lima Lima Flight Team.

Six ship line abreast formation

"If it looks tough, that's because it is," Hamill said.

The lead is on the left, and pilots two through six are looking left to maintain this precise line abreast formation.

"Communication between pilots about airplane positioning is critical to making this formation look the best," he said. "You might line up the cockpits or use some other part of the plane to reference as you are flying in formation. Lateral spacing is key as well."

Delta formation

This classic maneuver is performed by a number of Air and Water Show acts, including the United States Air Force thunderbirds and Lima Lima flight team.

Here, six planes form a tight triangle, putting them in position for a number of vertical maneuvers and loops.

Bomb burst

Here, a flight team leader instructs a traditional six-plane triangular delta formation to go vertical. The two planes on each end of the triangle leave the formation, and the diamond in the center breaks apart as the remaining four planes shoot straight up in the air.

"Having flown an F-16 Falcon jet for years, this move can sometimes feel a little disorientating. The seat is reclined 30 degrees, so any maneuver in the vertical feels like you are on your back," Hamill said.

Opposing pass

One of the most exciting tricks to watch and perform, the Thunderbirds use opposing passes to demonstrate precision, timing and performance capabilities of their F-16s. In this pass, they are performing opposing rolls as they cross right in front of the show center.

Calypso pass

This awesome-looking formation is what the Thunderbirds call the Calypso pass.

"If you look closely, you'll notice that the jet on top that is upside down is number five, lead solo, and the number five on the intake is actually right side up in the picture. That is the tradition of the number five pilot, to have his or her number upside down on the jet and also upside down on their flight suit."

Jet number six is tucked in close as she flies off of number five to present this cool formation. At some angles, like this picture, the jets appear to be actually touching.

Head-on break/Leader's choice

Two "V" formations approach head-on from left and right with minimal separation. Just before they pass, the wingmen break away crossing paths at show center and scattering in all directions. After the break, it is the leader's chance to play. He pulls up and returns to show center, performing a few solo aerobatic maneuvers of his choice.

Vertical three-ship formation

"Here, it looks like the Firebirds are pulling through the vertical in a three-ship formation," Hamill said. "For any team to do this, there has to be skill, trust and lots of practice sessions. Proficiency is the key, whether you're flying a solo aerobatic show, a formation of aerobatic aircrafts like the Firebirds, or a jet demonstration team like the USAF Thunderbirds."