Flying with a Blue Angel

I had the unique opportunity to be selected as one of three in our community to climb aboard a Blue Angel F-18 and experience first hand what the Navy’s precision flight demonstration team (known as the BLUE ANGELS) do each year as they visit the United States and encourage old and young alike to gain a greater appreciation for our men and women who protect our country all over the world and on a 24/7 basis. Ready to defend anywhere, anytime and on very short notice.

My instructions were to be at the Yorktown gate at NAS-JAX at 11:15 AM. I was also told I could bring family, friends, and even my students, and I did just that. Some of my current students and those who had graduated were able to experience the Navy’s hospitality and were included in on everything (except there were only 2 seats in the aircraft and I had reservations for 1 of those 2). We were escorted to Air OPS by the control tower. After a brief introduction we gathered into a meeting room and everyone had a seat. A safety briefing was given with steps to prevent passing out and yes, the ultimate...losing your lunch, breakfast and dinner from the night before. And NO...I lost nothing.

I had to sign a card (not to blame anyone for anything that might...happen). And a briefing on the possibility of having to leave the aircraft via a parachute was given. The seat that I occupied contained in simple terms...a rocket engine that would safely take me away from the aircraft in seconds. That did not happen.

A crew chief is assigned to each Blue Angel pilot and aircraft, our aircraft was Blue Angel number Seven. I was given a flight suit to change into and proceeded out to the flight line. Just looking at the aircraft I was about to embark on was awesome. This aircraft,

if required could be made combat ready and be deployed to defend and protect the United States. The crew chief and my pilot, LCDR Andre Webb, preflighted the aircraft to make sure all was good. A fuel truck came about and the airplane was given a cool drink. It was then time for me to strap in. Now one does not strap in, one straps on a multi-million dollar aircraft. I was firmly strapped in with straps that went everywhere. Then came the royal blue polished helmet, with a gold visor and a pristine shine that reflected everything. I was shown where to “ARM” the ejection seat, shown the instrument, engine and communication screens and it was time.

LCDR Webb climbed aboard, strapped in and we made sure we could communicate with each other via the aircraft’s intercom system. The canopy was closed, locked, sealed and the APU was started (an APU is like a small jet engine that keeps the aircraft humming until the engines start (or as LCDR Webb referred to them as “motors” and there are two). Fuel was introduced into motor number two and once it started, motor number one was fired up. LCDR Webb sent a smoke signal to the crew chief to let him know we were ready to go. The tower was called and we were given permission to taxi to the runway. As we taxied out, as a pilot myself and LCDR Webb and I talked “flying” and how we both got started. My parents were driving me to the airport to take lessons before I got my driver’s license. LCDR Webb’s dad was a pilot in the US Air Force and so he attended the Naval Academy

in Annapolis, Maryland. His favorite airplane is the F-18. In fact, he told me that when this very jet was still painted in grey military colors, he was flying and instructing in it! Now it represents the Navy’s finest... The Blue Angels.

Upon reaching the end of the runway we turned around, were given take-off clearance and off we went...well sort of, we began the take-off roll and then the afterburners were introduced (simply put it felt like two rocket engines were strapped to your back and ignited). In seconds were were at 160 kts, off the ground at 100 feet, then 220 kts, then 280 kts and then over 300 kts at which time LCDR Webb pulled back on the control stick and we went close to vertical reaching 15000 feet in seconds. We leveled off and then went out over the ocean to allow LCDR Webb to show this astronaut-wanna-be just what the F-18 can do. This jet does it all! We did aileron rolls, barrel rolls, flew upside down, went weightless for a brief period, and while upside down, waved to the container ships approaching JAXPORT. I am sure we waved to some fish too. During one of our turns, we were experiencing six G’s or we weighed six times our body weight. LCDR Webb told me it would be at this point in an airshow where you would have three other aircraft a mere 18-24 inches apart wing tip to wing tip.

As if that was not enough...we slowed the aircraft down to almost a stall condition and the nose was pointed to 25 degrees UP. Simply put there is barely enough airflow over the wing to create LIFT and maintain altitude. The wings began to shake telling the on-board computer we can still fly, but barely. At that point LCDR Webb lowered the nose of the aircraft and we went super-sonic. More flying was done and it was back to NAS-JAX (sad time). We flew over Mayport, saw the Navy ships and followed the St. Johns river

to the base. We flew over the runway and then this is where I might have taken a five second nap...we turned over the base, pulling over seven G’s (like landing on an aircraft carrier) and we landed. What a ride! We taxied back to the ramp, the canopy opened up, I disconnected the safety (rocket) switch and we stopped. LCDR Webb unstrapped and shook my hand and said he would meet me on the ground. Our crew chief came up and help me out. I was presented a cool picture signed by all the Blue Angel pilots. Pictures were taken and I reluctantly walked into Air Ops, changed clothes, and thanked everyone for an amazing experience. I drove home on cloud 100.

Now I get the opportunity to share my experience with others and most importantly, my aerospace students. I realize all of my students will not fly, but planes need to be fixed, maintained, cleaned, catered, fueled and the list goes on. Aviation has a unique way of connecting people with others all over the world and in a short period of time compared to being transported in boats. We have come a long way since the Wright Brothers flew in 1903 and the future is bright as we continue to explore new worlds as Columbus and our Astronauts did and will do. Who knows, maybe one of my students will walk on Mars or discover a cure for cancer. Graduation comes first, but their future is bright as we produce new leaders!