Blue Angels And Thunderbirds "America Strong" Flyover

[777 Driver]

For your viewing enjoyment.

https://youtu.be/1JESy0CnYPw

[ShelbyM]

Cool! We lived on Pensacola Beach in the 1980s and got to see lots of Blue Angels practices and shows. Back then they were still flying those monster F4s. I remember one flew so low over the beach that he climbed to clear a catamaran mast! Wife worked at Eglin AFB and we saw the Thunderbirds several times over there. IIRC one of their maneuvers was to climb vertically, very slowly from a very low altitude. Nail biter!!

[Russ Silber]

Originally Posted by ShelbyM

Cool! We lived on Pensacola Beach in the 1980s and got to see lots of Blue Angels practices and shows. Back then they were still flying those monster F4s. I remember one flew so low over the beach that he climbed to clear a catamaran mast! Wife worked at Eglin AFB and we saw the Thunderbirds several times over there. IIRC one of their maneuvers was to climb vertically, very slowly from a very low altitude. Nail biter!!

Flew with Bob Hoover in his P51
And Shrike Commander at Redding PA air show.
Very cool.

[96 Wideglide]

That's wild!

Lotta trust in each other !!

[96 Wideglide]

Actually, those guys are probably more relaxed doing that, than we are driving our coach in the middle lane between two semi's, in 40-50mph gusts.

Hi pucker factor !

[96 Wideglide]

Actually (again)..... 777 Driver, How does driving your coach in weather/ traffic, compare to landing a large airliner full of passenger, in bad weather?

[777 Driver]

I had a copilot at American Airlines, who, when we exchanged introductions, indicated to me that he had flown F-18's in the Navy. During a conversation while enroute on our first leg together, I pressed him a little more regarding his specific background in F-18's. He shared that, when he left active duty, he had more hours of flight time in the F-18 than any other Naval Aviator. When I pressed him for just how he had gained that distinction, he explained that he had flown the "Blue and Gold" jets.

Further, it turned out that shortly after he rotated out of the Blue Angels following two seasons, his replacement had some issue that prevented him from completing his first season. With the season rapidly approaching, my acquaintance was recalled back to his old position (slot) for an additional season.

He was (most surely still is) just a great guy. Quiet, courteous, completely self assured but not proud, the absolute kind of guy you'd want representing the US Navy Flight Demonstration Team.

Oh, one other thing...the best pilot in the cockpit doesn't, necessarily, sit in the left seat.

Take care,
Stu

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

777 Driver, How does driving your coach in weather/ traffic, compare to landing a large airliner full of passenger, in bad weather?

Hi Ben,

Well, both require a degree of attention to detail. The consequences of error can be significant. Probably the biggest difference is that there's a much higher degree of confidence in the professionals operating equipment on the "airways" than the "roadways".

Take care,
Stu

P.S. The layovers are much more fun with my current "copilot".

[TonyDi]

Great video. Thanks for posting it.

[96 Wideglide]

Ever have to abort a landing a few feet from the runway due to a gust turning you east/ west, when the runway was north/ south ?

[Traildust]

I spent 21 years in the Navy was a member of the original F/A-18 Fleet Introduction Team, joined the team in May 1980. Weren't to many F18's around back then. I retired from the Navy in 1991 spent another 14 years as a Naval Air Tech. Rep. retired for good in 2005. I said all that because I do not remember ever seeing the Blues and the Thunderbirds flying in formation together. I may be wrong but I think that picture is a first.
Bill