Table of Contents
Do Blue Angels use computers to fly close?
Blue Angels Trivia The F/A-18 Hornet has a computer system that actually reconfigures the plane’s wings in flight, like birds do instinctively. Speed F/A-18 Hornets can reach speeds of almost Mach 2 (1,400 mph), but pilots usually keep the speed below the sound barrier for an air show.
Why are Blue Angels special?
The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.
How far apart do the Blue Angels fly?
Publicity materials for the Blue Angels say the precision Navy pilots fly their F/A-18 Hornets as close as 18 inches apart. Now a member of the elite team says that’s nonsense. The margin is actually much smaller. “We advertise 18 inches, but I’ve seen how close they get,” says U.S. Marine Major Dusty Cook.
How do the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds perform these maneuvers?
Teams like the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds perform these maneuvers through regular and consistent practice. The primary alignment is what they call the “center point” of the show. This is usually the runway and some object like a truck parked on it where the team tells them to.
How do the Blue Angels breathe?
Instead, Blue Angels use the hic maneuver: bracing the legs and flexing lower body muscles to constrict the vascular system, then exhaling forcefully, causing the diaphragm to elevate blood into the upper torso. Blue Angels also eschew oxygen masks during demonstrations because they typically don’t fly above 15,000 feet.
Why don’t Blue Angels wear g-suits?
Suiting Up: Fleet squadron pilots wear G-suits, which pressurize to keep blood from pooling in the lower body during high acceleration. Blue Angels can’t do that. “We rest our forearms on our legs and use our knees as a fulcrum,” Simonsen says. The inflating suit could interfere with hand movement—dangerous in tight formations.