| Updated: 9/08/2012 11:18 am |
Published: 9/07/2012 9:16 pm |
JACKSONVILLE, AR - She's the largest but least famous member of the Blue Angels. The C-130 cargo plane known as "Fat Albert" is used to transport spare parts for the world-famous jets but
at 120,000 pounds, "Fat Albert" isn't afraid to throw its weight around.
"We'll go anywhere from negative two Gs all the way up to positive two Gs so it's a very wide range especially for an aircraft this size," said Capt. A.J. Harrell, "Fat Albert"'s pilot. "It's a very dynamic environment to put your body in."
This weekend is an important air show for C-130 pilots. The captains of "Fat Albert" first learned to fly at the Little Rock Air Force Base.
"When we come here, it's like coming home," said Capt. Ben Blanton with the Blue Angels. "Not only because we train here but also because this is the place where C-130s live."
"We're always trying to find ways to keep it interesting, keep it exciting, stay engaged, and stay on the edge," said Capt. Harrell.
For a cargo plane, "Fat Albert" still has a few tricks of her own up those polished blue sleeves.