Blue Angels Concentration

[CFRay]

From the airshow this past weekend. I noticed the pilots helmets in one of my photos. I blew it up and found that no, they are not looking straight ahead at 300 MPH, they are looking at the plane next to them. The group leader is the plane at the bottom.

[GFNER]

Awesome photo. Have seen the Angels once before and they do not dissapoint. Those guys are insane.I'm pretty sure one is a local kid from Coon Rapids, but can't remember his name.

[eyeguy 54]

they look at the craft next to them to keep on target is what I have been told.

[gopher_nation]

The announcer said only the lead looks ahead, he is in charge of keeping track of the horizon and where the planes will go, all other pilots focus only on the attitude of the lead so they all bank, roll, and everything else together.

[Dbl]

If you've been around awhile you might remember the "Diamond Crash" of the Air Force Thunderbirds back in 1981. All four aircraft crashed into the desert floor at over 400mph after a malfunction on the #1 lead aircraft. The lead pilot calls all maneuvers, air speeds, attitudes the the planes will be at. He calls all maneuvers and the sequence of the maneuvers, the lead will talk his way through the entire performance on the radio, the others use hand signals to communicate if necessary.

The other aircraft look at the plane next to them and try to maintain various positional cues depending on the maneuvers! You are concerned with the plane next to you and that is it! They often fly within 3 feet of the other airplane. That is how four extremely talented airmen crashed into the desert floor..the leader went in and the others followed him down.

[eyeguy 54]

That was a terrible day thats for sure. They actually start out at 18 inches on some of the maneuvers. Best pilots in the world!

[eyeguy 54]

Interesting info from the web site.

A total of 15 officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels. Each year the team typically selects three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support officers and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot to relieve departing members.

The Chief of Naval Air Training selects “Boss,” the Blue Angels Commanding Officer. Boss must have at least 3,000 tactical jet flight-hours and have commanded a tactical jet squadron. The Commanding Officer flies the Number 1 jet.

Career-oriented Navy and Marine Corps jet pilots with aircraft carrier qualifications and a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet flight-hours are eligible for positions flying jets Number 2 through 7. The Events Coordinator, Number 8, is a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) or a Marine Corps Weapons and Sensors Officer (WSO) who meets the same criteria as Numbers 2 through 7. The Marine Corps pilots flying the Transport/Cargo-130T Hercules aircraft (Fat Albert) must be aircraft commander qualified with at least 1,200 flight hours.

Career-oriented officers specializing in maintenance, administration, aviation medicine, public affairs and supply fill support positions. The Blue Angels base their selection of officers on professional ability, military bearing and communication skills. Blue Angels officers are well-rounded representatives of their fleet counterparts.

Demonstration pilots, the Events Coordinator, Maintenance Officer and Flight Surgeon serve two years with the squadron. The other officers typically serve three years with the team. Blue Angels officers return to the fleet after their tours of duty.

[CFRay]

I have seen a TV documentary on this group. The commander calls the maneuvers in a sort of Gregorian chant, very slow and drawn out words to key the stick inputs for the other pilots.

I've seen the Angels twice now and each time the show highlight is the one solo pilot that comes racing in from behind while the formation is leaving the show area. His plane is ahead of the sound although it is not at supersonic speed.

[eyeguy 54]

Yes that is cool when that pilot sneaks in and it kinda sounds like a whistle before the roar.

[gopher_nation]

I was caught off guard and jumped a bit on Saturday when the solo came screaming in from behind the crowd. Man can those planes move.

Even more impressive for speed was when the F-22 came burning down the flight line right to left, he was cooking!!

I'll bet the pilots enjoy being out off the coast where they can really open it and go supersonic.

All these photos of the airshow are really cool. Nice pictures all!