Blue Angels - Insane Footage Takes You Inside the Cockpit

How many of you have been to a Blue Angels show? If you haven't been, I suggest you go see them in action. You won't be disappointed.


The Blue Angels have been around for more than 60 years. Founded in 1946 they were originally known as the Navy Flight Exhibition Team. There goal was to display the pride and professionalism of the US Navy and Marine Corps by only recruiting the best of the best.

They perform for over 11 million spectators annually and are in the air for most of the weekend from March until November. They operate on an annual budget funded by the DOD of around $37 million.


Since their first show in 1946, there have been 35 flight leaders and 251 demonstration pilots. Applicants must have at least 1,250 hours of flying time and understand that they are asked to do this as their career. Current team members take a vote on whether to accept any new team members and the selection must be unanimously approved.


The average age of a Blue Angel pilot is 33 and they typically only serve 2-3 years on the squadron. The firs African-American member was Donnie Cochran in 1986 and after a 7 year hiatus, returned as flight leader. In 2010, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Amy Redditt was the first women to join as Blue Angel No. 8.


Another woman by the name Katie Higgens, joined the Blue Angels in July of 2014 and sometime this spring is expected to become the first female to perform with the Angels while flying their C-130 cargo plane named "Fat Albert".


Their current flight commander is US Navy Capt. Thomas Frosch joined in 2012. He has had multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan accumulating over 3,800 flight hours and 830 carrier assisted landings.


Regardless of their achievements and amazing ability, there have been 26 members of the Blue Angels who were killed in action. This accounts for approximately 10% of those who served and there has been only three fatalities in the last 30 years.


I hope you enjoyed the video and go out and give these guys and gals the credit they deserve. As good as they are, they still risk their lives to bring entertainment and joy to families across the country. There are only a handful of people willing to do that and these birds do not disappoint.

For anyone who hasn't seen their show, do it if you get the chance! Even if you don't enjoy airplanes (such as myself), they put on one hell of a show!

That video is certifiable insanity! From someone with little spatial orientation, watching this confirms that there is no way I would ever get into one of those even if they paid me. I've been in lots of planes, but to get that close and personal with other planes like they do, ugh, ugh, no thanks. Man, that is some crazy siht!

a reply to: aboutface

What's crazy is that three of the Diamond pilots rarely take their eyes of the lead aircraft during the whole show.

1. Looks like he enjoys getting up every morning to go to work. Who wouldn't?

2. The pilot on the far left in the group pic...

Jude11

a reply to: Zaphod58

I was quite taken back by the amount of "Angels" that have passed. I guess no matter how good of a pilot you are, your survivability rests in the hands of the less experienced. Not that any of them are inexperienced, but you know what I mean.

a reply to: eisegesis

Some of it is the high G forces and that they don't wear G suits, the fact that they operate down where birds are, etc.

Back in the early 1980s all four Thunderbirds Diamond pilots were killed during practice. They were doing the line abreast loop and the lead couldn't pull around on the bottom of the loop in time and impacted the ground. The other three never took their eyes off him, as they were trained to do, and followed him right into the ground.

a reply to: Zaphod58

That's pretty sad.

And the fact that they've only had three deaths in the last thirty years means what? How have they altered their routine to avoid such a catastrophe? Does it simply come down to poor leadership or judgment?

a reply to: eisegesis

No, better airfield management to help mitigate bird strike risk, better understanding of physiologic conditions and less stigma attached to not flying because of what would normally be a minor sinus issue, improved maintenance procedures, better training in the Diamond...

This could be the future but for me wont be the same.
Blue Angels 2018

a reply to: Zaphod58

Thanks.

It must have been tough to put on a show after the death of those pilots. While their lives were taken doing what they love, it forces us to go back to the drawing board.

a reply to: Blackfinger

I'd say what I think about that, but it's a T&C violation.

Let's just leave it at utter BS.

I love the expressions on their faces! It's pure, crazy, adrenaline fueled joy lol and they all seem to love gum.

a reply to: eisegesis

The Thunderbirds didn't fly for a year afterwards. They used the time to transition to F-16s, but having to rebuild a team is a long and difficult process.

The Blue Angels lost a pilot a few years ago. If it happens during the season it can cancel the rest of that season. It takes months to train a new pilot. Between getting the safety mentality, the timing of even walking together, learning to fly the show is incredibly difficult.

Having to replace a team member is hard on the other pilots because they have lived, worked, and traveled together for months. You trust your other pilots more than anyone else. If they make a tiny mistake they can take out the entire Diamond.

originally posted by: NiZZiM
I love the expressions on their faces! It's pure, crazy, adrenaline fueled joy lol and they all seem to love gum.

I believe the gum is to prevent ears from popping due to the pressure and G-force.

Maybe?

Jude11

a reply to: Zaphod58

Accident History

I found this interesting.

At least most of them went quick and with a smile.

a reply to: eisegesis

Something very similar to that Thunderbirds incident almost happened with the Blues a couple years ago. Number 1 resigned after the show citing a decline in performance if I am correct. No matter how much you try to prevent something like that from happening, there's always the risk.

originally posted by: Blackfinger
This could be the future but for me wont be the same.
Blue Angels 2018

Is this a joke?

a reply to: eisegesis
Awesome video but you may want to correct the spelling in the thread title. You obviously know how to spell "Angels" in the OP.

originally posted by: doompornjunkie
Is this a joke?

The source was posted on April 1st if that's any hint. The guy who re-posted it missed the boat by posting it 2 days later, when the April 1 ruse wasn't as obvious.

originally posted by: Arbitrageur
a reply to: eisegesis
Awesome video but you may want to correct the spelling in the thread title. You obviously know how to spell "Angels" in the OP.

originally posted by: doompornjunkie
Is this a joke?

The source was posted on April 1st if that's any hint. The guy who re-posted it missed the boat by posting it 2 days later, when the April 1 ruse wasn't as obvious.

Ha... I do hate that day

I just couldn't fathom the Blue Angels in drones.. I was literally confused.