MAX POWER Florida: F-104 Flyover vs. NASA ER-2 Flight Profile Explorer

FLIGHT ENVELOPE & TRAJECTORY SIMULATOR Altitude 0–75k ft vs. Mach 0.0–2.2

Selected Aircraft Mode

F-104 Target Altitude 15,000 ft

ER-2 Target Altitude 65,000 ft

F-104 Speed (IAS) 480 kts

Trajectory Scrub Time 00:30 s

F-104 Starfighter Dynamic Pressure (q)

779 psf

Mach: 0.82 | ROC: 38,500 fpm

NASA ER-2 Ambient Pressure & Temp

56.5 hPa / -56.5°C

TAS: 412 kts (M0.72) | Loiter: 7.5 hrs

F-104 Sound / Mach Footprint

6.8 NM

Climb to 15k ft: 23.4 s

ER-2 Ground Sensor Swath Width

48.2 km

MODIS/AVIRIS Nadir-to-horizon FOV coverage

EVENT SPOTTER BRIEFING & DOSSIER KSC / SPACE COAST

Event Name NASA MAX POWER Florida

Dates & Host Nov. 7–8 / Air Dot Show Tour

F-104 Presence Starfighters Flyover

NASA ER-2 Presence NASA Static Display

Primary Location Florida / Space Coast

Specification	F-104 Starfighter	NASA ER-2 (U-2R)
Aspect Ratio	1.82 (Stub, supersonic razor)	10.6 (High-efficiency glider)
Wing Area / Span	196.1 sq ft / 21 ft 11 in	1,000 sq ft / 103 ft 4 in
Wing Loading	~148 lb/sq ft (Heavy sink rate)	~40 lb/sq ft (Soaring lift)
Powerplant	GE J79-GE-19 w/ Afterburner	GE F118-GE-101 Non-afterburning
Primary Mission	Supersonic flight test & astronaut chase	Airborne science & satellite cal/val
Display Status	Dynamic flight passes	Ground static inspection

AvGeek Viewing Checklist (Florida Nov. 7–8):

Look for the F-104's anhedral wings (10° down-camber) and razor-sharp leading edge (0.016 in).
Inspect ER-2's super-pod wing payload bays and nose radome housing hyperspectral instruments.
Notice ER-2's bicycle landing gear configuration requiring ground chase cars during takeoff/landing.
Listen for the Starfighters' characteristic J79 howling howl on power changes during flybys.