Final Flight

 

Last month saw the final flight of the last remaining air-worthy S-3B Viking.  It flew from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland to the San Diego Air and Space Museum Annex at Gillespie Field in El Cajon CA.  The jet deserves to be in the actual museum in Balboa Park, but it's a pretty big jet and the SDASM, originally an exhibit hall for Ford during a World's Fair, wasn't designed for big jets.  Sure it's got a Hornet in there, but the Viking is a big girl compared to the lean F-18.

While she was with NASA, they used the bird as a test platform for various instruments, as well as conducting research into algae blooms in the Great Lakes, and more:

One of its major contributions was helping NASA’s aeronautical innovators define communications standards that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can apply to the unmanned aircraft systems for safe operation in U.S. airspace.                                Source

The Viking was decommissioned in 2009 with VS-32 as the last operational squadron, but this particular bird was transferred to NASA in 2006.  The final flight was supposed to happen a year ago, but COVID happened just before the scheduled transfer so the bird sat for a year.  Its first flight in a year was an FCF, or Functional Check Flight to certify its air-worthiness prior to coming out to San Diego.  Prior to that, the bird had been de-mil'd* to some extent, disabling the ejection seats being the biggest part of that process, and some flight instruments were removed as well.  The flight clearance for that final flight only authorized a one-way trip, with one fuel stop (El Paso), and requiring the crew to remain VFR.

They did take a slight diversion to NAS North Island, where the aircraft first flew operationally starting back in 1974.  The crew flew the Bay Approach first.  That's down the Silver Strand, cutting across just south of NAB Coronado, then up the bay, over the Coronado Bridge, then a touch and go on Runway 18.  It's a spectacular view and was my favorite approach when I was flying.  Then they circled around for another T&G on Runway 29, which is the standard pattern for NASNI based on normal winds.  That one's nice too as you fly up the beach a little, and if you're on a precision approach (PAR), right over the Hotel Del Coronado.

If this photo was taken during a PAR, it's clearly offset the lineup to runway 29, probably after the beach residents, all who built or bought well after NASNI was established, complained to the Navy and forced us to pretty much abandon any precision approaches to the airfield.  That bird is in the livery of VS-21, the Fighting Redtails, which was my first outfit.

That's the view down Coronado Beach before beginning the Bay Approach.  The video shows the flight over the Coronado Beach.  Warning- it's quite loud so I recommend you mute your speakers before clicking.

Another gratuitous Hotel Del Coronado shot.

Downtown San Diego during the Bay Approach.  Thanks to Viking Community photog and pilot Tim "Gary" McGarvey for several of these pics and the Bay Approach video.

After the farewell at NASNI, it took a short flight over the hill to Gillespie Field, one final T&G there before a final full stop.  

This is my own video of the local CBS affiliate's story, followed by the independent station's story.  The reporter is the son of a Naval Aviator and a pilot himself so he gave a far more detailed account. 

More from KUSI here.  There was quite a bit of attention for the event, with 30 or so folks at NASNI, a nice get-together at the World Famous I-Bar, and 100 or so folks at Gillespie plus the local TV stations.  Click the link for the NBC News story

That's the newly refurbished World Famous I-Bar, which is now unfortunately a Helo-bubba bar since the Vikings left.  You can see it yourself in the TOP GUN sequel later this year.  It's not the actual bar as filming in it would be quite difficult and compact, but they rebuilt it perfectly out on the beach for a bar scene you can see in one of the trailers. 

 Here's a few final shots from the final flight.  

It was a great day and a great way to say thanks and goodbye to my beloved Viking.  I was glad to see so much coverage and attention to the event.  From now on, I'll have to be content to visit the one on the Midway, the "pig on a stick" on NASNI, or a short trip out east to see this one.  

* Demilitarized