Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 455; Flight Crew Type 225
Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
I was in the pattern on downwind abeam the tower 1;200 ft; offset distance from the runway was 4;000 feet. I had just taken off and was instructed to make right pattern. Several F-16s went directly over the top of me at estimated 200 feet separation. They were going so fast; there was no way to count the number of aircraft. A second later; I was flying through their smoke trails and being instructed by the tower to make a 360 degree turn. I immediately turned to the north and departed the pattern temporarily until rejoining about 5 minutes later.
C172 pilot reported NMAC with F-16s while in the pattern.