Blue Angels

[DX Rick]

Do they rotate the airplanes in and out of the service? I was reading an article saying that they have been using the F-18 since 1988. So has it been the same 6 F-18's since 1988? or do they rotate them around each yr?

Example: Blue Angel #4 is with the Team for 1-2 yrs, then goes back into service with a squadron.

Wouldn't that be an awful lot of stress to put on the airframe? Or can preventive mx cure that?

 

[tom1178]

From what I've heard the Blue angels/ Thunderbirds etc...don't do anything in their performances that is any different than what the rest of the fleet does on any given flight so stress on the airframe isn't an issue. MX is probably the same if not better for the Blue Angels compared to the rest of the fleet.....this is just an educated guess, i do not actually know the answers to any of your questions.

 

[bertengineer]

Been on the tream!

The aircraft that they use are one step away from the bone yard, and believe it or not, they keep them flying until the end. Usually the aircraft stays on the team until it is out of service, as far as flight hours, or until it is overstressed enough! There have been occasions when we took an aircraft to a show site, and had to leave it there because something went wrong with the airframe and it was determined that the aircraft is no longer safe to fly.
As far as preventative maintenance limiting the stress on an airframe, it is th epilot that put's too much stress on the aircraft, and metal does not forget. So wonce an aircraft is over G'ed, it is documented and certain inspections have to take plce like x-rays and stuff. THe pilots are with the team for 2-3 years, but the aircraft may stay longer. Like I mentioned in the beginning, this is the last stop before the bone yard, so they do the best with what they have!

Fat Albert Flight Engineer

Blue Angels

 

[a-v-8er]

I saw the Blue Angels in Jacksonville at the end of October this year. I've seen them many times before, but this airshow was different. The #5 pilot, flying lead solo landed during the 2nd opposing flyby, taxied back and within minutes blasted off again in Blue Angel #7. Then after only another 5-10 minutes and participating in a few formations and maneuvers, #7 lands again and does another high speed taxi to the parking area. This time I watch him climb out and proceed over to the other #7 aircraft parked at the end of the ramp and climb in. Within a few minutes he takes off again for the third time in only 20 minutes or so and completes what is left of the airshow with the rest of the team.

Not only do they rotate aircraft through the years, but sometimes they do it during the actual airshow...

 

[Snoopy58]

That's pretty wild that they'd use the oldest jets in THE most visible role in the Navy.

I wonder if part of the reasoning is that the Blues are less likely to over-G a jet than some nugget in a turning fight somewhere. Wait... I though F-18's were fly-by-wire and couldn't be over-Ged??? Or is that not the case?

 

[VNugget]

It's the same deal with the Thunderbirds. IIRC, the reason given on the respective offical websites is that active service (especially now in wartime) needs the newer airframes more.

 

[Sarka]

I don't know if it is still true of the birds they have now, but I know the Blues had to slightly modify the F-18's when they first got them to allow them to fly inverted longer. I don't know if any other mods were made, but that is another reason they don't send them back to the fleet.

 

[tom1178]

That's pretty wild that they'd use the oldest jets in THE most visible role in the Navy.

I wonder if part of the reasoning is that the Blues are less likely to over-G a jet than some nugget in a turning fight somewhere. Wait... I though F-18's were fly-by-wire and couldn't be over-Ged??? Or is that not the case?

I believe the new F18 super hornets are fly-by-wire