F-22 Raptor Demo Team takes fans inside the cockpit

May 16, 2019

For the very first time, the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team is taking fans inside the cockpit of one of the most advanced fighters on earth.

In the video, which was posted to the team's Youtube channel on Thursday, fans can experience a demonstration flight from the viewpoint of Maj. Paul "Loco" Lopez, commander of the Raptor Demo Team. From vertical climbs to high-speed passes to a Heritage Flight alongside a P-51 Mustang, the video provides a vantage point that few people have seen, up until now. 

Maj. Lopez is an accomplished and experienced pilot with more than 1,400 fighter hours flying the F-15 and F-22. He has flown the Raptor since 2011. This amazing look behind the curtain of an F-22 demo flight was produced by U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Samuel Eckholm, who serves as public affairs officer for the team. 

A fifth-generation stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor is one of the most advanced aircraft on earth. The jet is capable of flying at Mach 2 and has a range of more than 1,850 miles. The team, based at Langley Air Force Base, performs precision aerial maneuvers to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the aircraft, while also teaming up with historic warbirds for Heritage Flights at air shows around the country. 

See more from the F-22 Raptor Demo Team by following them on social media.

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