A 'Plattle' Tale

Airshow goers curious about the day-jobs of the pilots performing overhead will be intrigued by the account of Lieutenant Commander Zach “Plattles” Drum, a U.S. Naval Aviator and instructor pilot at Naval Air Station Oceana.

Monday through Friday, LCDR Drum can be found at Virginia’s NAS Oceana, where—through the high-art of Naval flight instruction in the VFA-106 Super Hornet—he converts fledgling F-18 drivers into effective strike-fighter aircrews. On select weekends, however, “Plattles” takes his skills on the road, performing in airshows as a member of the VFA-106 Rhino Demonstration Team.

The team’s repertoire consists primarily of the Tactical Demonstration, or "Tac Demo," during which LCDR Drum flies the single-seat F/A-18E as close to the edge as safety and prudence allow. The routine highlights the Super Hornet’s maneuverability and excellent, low-speed handling characteristics.

LCDR Drum states the road from U.S. Navy OCS to gold-winged Naval Aviator is an arduous one, comprising protracted stints in the T-6B Texan and the T-45C Goshawk. Only after demonstrating proficiency in these aircraft are Navy pilots ready for carrier and the combat training taught at NAS Oceana.

That LCDR Drum enjoys his work is apparent. He says in the accompanying video that airshow flying affords him opportunity to interact with pilots of all ages, backgrounds, and experience-levels—some of whom he concedes know more about the F-18 than he. Whether or not that’s true is anybody’s guess, but there’s no doubting that LCDR Drum’s inclination to temper his expertise with humility is eminently becoming a Naval Flight Officer.

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