What are the Blues and Birds doing ths year?
08-11-2013, 03:43 AM
#11
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
There are many problems with the 18's not being able to go to the fleet right away if needed. They are stripped down remnants of some of the oldest 18's in the fleet. As someone else mentioned, they need some depot maint too. The Blues are the only 18's rigged with ILS equipment as well (since they are flying into civilian fields and not just using the TACAN on the boat). I hope the gov can pass a budget to get the boys back in the air consistently but not sure if that is going to happen any time soon.
08-11-2013, 06:18 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Captain
Posts: 101
USMCFLYER, I know it's not got the pointy end on the nose but the A6 community had several Blues. See: Intruder Association
5 or 6 aviators made the team and several NFO's were event coordinators. I flew with Hound Dog (BA#4) and Durk (event cooridantor) back in the 80's during an exchange tour with the Navy.
Semper fi, The ATM
5 or 6 aviators made the team and several NFO's were event coordinators. I flew with Hound Dog (BA#4) and Durk (event cooridantor) back in the 80's during an exchange tour with the Navy.
Semper fi, The ATM
08-11-2013, 06:53 AM
#13
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by FamilyATM
USMCFLYER, I know it's not got the pointy end on the nose but the A6 community had several Blues. See: Intruder Association
5 or 6 aviators made the team and several NFO's were event coordinators. I flew with Hound Dog (BA#4) and Durk (event cooridantor) back in the 80's during an exchange tour with the Navy.
Semper fi, The ATM
5 or 6 aviators made the team and several NFO's were event coordinators. I flew with Hound Dog (BA#4) and Durk (event cooridantor) back in the 80's during an exchange tour with the Navy.
Semper fi, The ATM
I figured there would be some A-6 guys in there somewhere.
I'd like to think that many communities would be represented but I know our two US teams are more restrictive in their selection criteria.
08-11-2013, 09:59 AM
#15
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by BDGERJMN
BA3 originally flew the EA-6B then transitioned to E/F and G model F/A-18s.
Didn't recognize a single name
Old and out of touch!
08-11-2013, 05:21 PM
#18
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Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: FO
Posts: 266
Originally Posted by 550pilot01
BA#3 flew E-6's first.
Boeing: E-6 Tacamo
Could the Blues switch to T-45s and Birds to T-38s? I don't know if the switch would be much cheaper, but it might be a politically savvy move similar to both teams dropping the F-4 in the 70's. Will the BAs fly newer Hornets when life on these run out?
Most foreign countries use trainers in their demo teams. Seems to be a cheaper option.
08-11-2013, 06:15 PM
#19
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Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,269
Originally Posted by propfails2FX
Could the Blues switch to T-45s and Birds to T-38s?
One of my favorite airshow experiences was standing about 1000' off the end of the runway on centerline at KGYR with the Blue Angel's diamond taking off right over my head.
Loud doesn't even begin to describe the experience. Painful comes close...it was great.
08-12-2013, 02:26 AM
#20
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Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 2,115
Two (too) loud stories
Originally Posted by AZFlyer
Not loud enough.
One of my favorite airshow experiences was standing about 1000' off the end of the runway on centerline at KGYR with the Blue Angel's diamond taking off right over my head.
Loud doesn't even begin to describe the experience. Painful comes close...it was great.
One of my favorite airshow experiences was standing about 1000' off the end of the runway on centerline at KGYR with the Blue Angel's diamond taking off right over my head.
Loud doesn't even begin to describe the experience. Painful comes close...it was great.
Flash forward 30 years. My CFI and I flew to 73J and caught a ride to the air station for a Blues show. We were in the right spot to hear/feel the thud of the "sneak pass" by the solo at .9 mach. The CFI flew AF F4s in Vietnam and even he had the amazed look on his face after the pass.
