USAF F-16 Viper Demo Team

About the Team

The USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team is based out of Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. Each Air Show season, the team travels across the country to different air shows to demonstrate the capabilities F-16C Fighting Falcon and the professionalism instilled in Air Force pilots. This year, the team’s commander and pilot is Maj. Taylor “FEMA” Hiester

About the F-16C

The F-16C Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in more than 30 years of operations, including air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack.

Only four USAF units operate the C model: 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. (three squadrons); 169th Fighter Wing, Joint National Guard Base McEntire, S.C. (one squadron); 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany (one squadron); and 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan (two squadrons).

General Characteristics (F-16C)

Primary Function: Suppression and/or destruction of enemy air defenses, air and ground interdiction
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation
Power Plant: One Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or General Electric F110-GE-100/129
Thrust: 29,000 pounds
Wingspan: 32 feet, 8 inches (9.8 meters)
Length: 49 feet, 5 inches (14.8 meters)
Height: 16 feet (4.8 meters)
Weight: 19,700 pounds without fuel (8,936 kilograms)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 39,000 pounds (17,690 kilograms)
Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude)
Range: More than 2,002 miles ferry range (1,740 nautical miles)
Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet (15 kilometers)
Crew: F-16C, one