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#1
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Blues at Wings over Meridian
First air show at NMM in a number of years with (of course) the Blues as the
main attraction. Schedule doesn't permit attendence on Sat/Sun but I managed to take my granddaughters to the practice show Friday ... the three year old LOVES airplanes. Blues showed up with 5 jets, dash 3 was Med down and didn't make the trip .... first time I've seen a med down cut into the show (and I've been watching 'em since F-11 days). A 3-plane with dash 4 on the wing plus the two solos. I realize it's early in the season and 4 doesn't often fly wing, but they were pretty bad (and they were pretty bad when they last performed here ... then a team with "issues") and seemed to have several A/C problems. 2 lost his smoke in the line-abreast loop and then rapidly dropped aft 1-200 feet, stabilized there and completed the maneuver (rejoined well away from show center ... I'd love to know what he was looking at and what Betty was telling him as he neared the top of the loop). A couple more maneuvers in which they just flew by vice performing the acro. Then only four jets in the sky (I think it was 4 that actually landed). OBTW, the solo act lacked crispness as well ... the simo tuckunder was done in loose cruise. I've always felt a lot of sympathy for these guys. They're attracted to the team for maybe the wrong reasons. Go through a rush process (that's a kick to see the wannabees ... we're talking about senior Lt's or Lcdr's with somewhere well north of 1500 hours tactical jet time ... showing up at the shows as eager as college freshmen). When they get to El Centro, the new guys find out what the Blue Angel experience is all about: darn hard work, being the Navy's reps 24/7, not a lot of family time. The payoff is doing something very few aviators get to do with a level of precision second to none. That can be immensely gratifying. But the price they pay is high. It takes a special breed to do what they do, and I'm not talking about the air work. R / John |
#2
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"John Carrier" wrote:
First air show at NMM in a number of years with (of course) the Blues as the Potential Useless TLA caution! WITH do you mean by NMM? If it is your own shorthand for NAS Meridian, Mississippi, it really *is* a totally useless TLA, since those of us who know Meridian is a) a Naval Air Station that is b) located in Mississippi already knew what/where you were talking about from the subject line. Any one who didn't know that Meridian is a) a Naval Air Station that is b) located in Mississippi, wouldn't be any further enlightened by the TLA NMM. Since I know you are too intelligent to do something like that, please ease my mind and tell me WITH you meant by that NMM. -- OJ III [Email sent to Yahoo address is burned before reading. Lower and crunch the sig and you'll net me at comcast.] |
#3
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#4
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Sorry. I thought most folks would infer it's the three letter identifier
for NAS Meridian. Get back on those meds quickly, Ogden! R / John "Ogden Johnson III" wrote in message ... "John Carrier" wrote: First air show at NMM in a number of years with (of course) the Blues as the Potential Useless TLA caution! WITH do you mean by NMM? If it is your own shorthand for NAS Meridian, Mississippi, it really *is* a totally useless TLA, since those of us who know Meridian is a) a Naval Air Station that is b) located in Mississippi already knew what/where you were talking about from the subject line. Any one who didn't know that Meridian is a) a Naval Air Station that is b) located in Mississippi, wouldn't be any further enlightened by the TLA NMM. Since I know you are too intelligent to do something like that, please ease my mind and tell me WITH you meant by that NMM. -- OJ III [Email sent to Yahoo address is burned before reading. Lower and crunch the sig and you'll net me at comcast.] |
#5
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John- Sorry. I thought most folks would infer it's the three letter
identifier for NAS Meridian. Get back on those meds quickly, Ogden! BRBR No ****...did everybody know the ILS identifier at Pt Mugu as RR(for Reagan).... P. C. Chisholm CDR, USN(ret.) Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer |
#6
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"John Carrier" wrote:
Sorry. I thought most folks would infer it's the three letter identifier for NAS Meridian. Get back on those meds quickly, Ogden! My bust. I forgot that having a copy of the Enroute Supplement ready to hand was a requirement for reading in r.a.m.n. Alas, IANAP so I never get the civilian equivalent and the one I "borrowed" when I retired in 198mumble has long since fallen apart and met its fate in the analog bit-bucket. Anyone got a link to the FAA, or whomever, page that has those identifiers handy? [I know, I know, google for it. Just testing.] -- OJ III [Email sent to Yahoo address is burned before reading. Lower and crunch the sig and you'll net me at comcast.] |
#7
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Well stated shipmate. A member of my squadron was selected for the Blues
back in the late 80s. I ran into him in Pensacola between seasons after he had done one year of the routine. I'll never forget the conversation nor the telling comment - "I just want to get out of this alive...". It is a tough life in many different ways -- he felt like he was living an alternate reality where his life was not his own. A few years removed from it, he said he would do it again only if he were single simply because of the time away. The general public doesn't have much insight into the demands of the job. They're generally captured by the 'notional' flying skills of the participants. But, to me, emerging from the experience with ones perspective intact takes alotta character. "John Carrier" wrote in message ... First air show at NMM in a number of years with (of course) the Blues as the main attraction. Schedule doesn't permit attendence on Sat/Sun but I managed to take my granddaughters to the practice show Friday ... the three year old LOVES airplanes. Blues showed up with 5 jets, dash 3 was Med down and didn't make the trip ... first time I've seen a med down cut into the show (and I've been watching 'em since F-11 days). A 3-plane with dash 4 on the wing plus the two solos. I realize it's early in the season and 4 doesn't often fly wing, but they were pretty bad (and they were pretty bad when they last performed here .... then a team with "issues") and seemed to have several A/C problems. 2 lost his smoke in the line-abreast loop and then rapidly dropped aft 1-200 feet, stabilized there and completed the maneuver (rejoined well away from show center ... I'd love to know what he was looking at and what Betty was telling him as he neared the top of the loop). A couple more maneuvers in which they just flew by vice performing the acro. Then only four jets in the sky (I think it was 4 that actually landed). OBTW, the solo act lacked crispness as well ... the simo tuckunder was done in loose cruise. I've always felt a lot of sympathy for these guys. They're attracted to the team for maybe the wrong reasons. Go through a rush process (that's a kick to see the wannabees ... we're talking about senior Lt's or Lcdr's with somewhere well north of 1500 hours tactical jet time ... showing up at the shows as eager as college freshmen). When they get to El Centro, the new guys find out what the Blue Angel experience is all about: darn hard work, being the Navy's reps 24/7, not a lot of family time. The payoff is doing something very few aviators get to do with a level of precision second to none. That can be immensely gratifying. But the price they pay is high. It takes a special breed to do what they do, and I'm not talking about the air work. R / John |
#8
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Frijoles wrote:
Well stated shipmate. A member of my squadron was selected for the Blues back in the late 80s. I ran into him in Pensacola between seasons after he had done one year of the routine. I'll never forget the conversation nor the telling comment - "I just want to get out of this alive...". It is a tough life in many different ways -- he felt like he was living an alternate reality where his life was not his own. A few years removed from it, he said he would do it again only if he were single simply because of the time away. "Jungle" Jim Ross did it twice, no? |
#9
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I've known many of the Blues personally all the back to Bob Aumack, and
I totally agree with you and John C on this issue. Many people have absolutely no idea how "complicated" it gets with your life when accepted for the acro teams. The Blues aren't alone with this. The Thunderbirds, and the rest of the world's teams all seem to have the same feelings about it when cornered and nailed down to some serious talk. (usually accompanied by some serious libation :-) Most of the guys I know say they would do it again, but many talk of the high stress involved with the daily grind away from the airplanes as being almost crippling to your good nature. I know of more than one marriage that went south because of the related family stress . It's really hard on the families even though the girls try and hang in most of the time. The Thunderbirds at one time even formed a support group for their wives called the "Thunderbrides". I'm not sure if it's still in operation. The mission is a tough one, and it's really a full time job, and I mean 24 hours a day when I say that. The stress of being "on camera" and "out front" all the time in front of the public is HUGE. Even on the road the guys don't get a moment's peace. In fact, many of the pilots I know would tell you in a second that flying the show was the EASY part of a Blues tour! :-) I've been away from it for a while now, and I'm saddened by what the old pilots are telling me about what's going on now within the teams. Without getting into a lot of detail I wouldn't discuss in public, it just doesn't seem to be the same as it used to be. I hope it gets better. Dudley Henriques International Fighter Pilots Fellowship Commercial Pilot/ CFI Retired For personal email, please replace the z's with e's. dhenriquesATzarthlinkDOTnzt "Frijoles" wrote in message link.net... Well stated shipmate. A member of my squadron was selected for the Blues back in the late 80s. I ran into him in Pensacola between seasons after he had done one year of the routine. I'll never forget the conversation nor the telling comment - "I just want to get out of this alive...". It is a tough life in many different ways -- he felt like he was living an alternate reality where his life was not his own. A few years removed from it, he said he would do it again only if he were single simply because of the time away. The general public doesn't have much insight into the demands of the job. They're generally captured by the 'notional' flying skills of the participants. But, to me, emerging from the experience with ones perspective intact takes alotta character. "John Carrier" wrote in message ... First air show at NMM in a number of years with (of course) the Blues as the main attraction. Schedule doesn't permit attendence on Sat/Sun but I managed to take my granddaughters to the practice show Friday ... the three year old LOVES airplanes. Blues showed up with 5 jets, dash 3 was Med down and didn't make the trip ... first time I've seen a med down cut into the show (and I've been watching 'em since F-11 days). A 3-plane with dash 4 on the wing plus the two solos. I realize it's early in the season and 4 doesn't often fly wing, but they were pretty bad (and they were pretty bad when they last performed here ... then a team with "issues") and seemed to have several A/C problems. 2 lost his smoke in the line-abreast loop and then rapidly dropped aft 1-200 feet, stabilized there and completed the maneuver (rejoined well away from show center ... I'd love to know what he was looking at and what Betty was telling him as he neared the top of the loop). A couple more maneuvers in which they just flew by vice performing the acro. Then only four jets in the sky (I think it was 4 that actually landed). OBTW, the solo act lacked crispness as well ... the simo tuckunder was done in loose cruise. I've always felt a lot of sympathy for these guys. They're attracted to the team for maybe the wrong reasons. Go through a rush process (that's a kick to see the wannabees ... we're talking about senior Lt's or Lcdr's with somewhere well north of 1500 hours tactical jet time ... showing up at the shows as eager as college freshmen). When they get to El Centro, the new guys find out what the Blue Angel experience is all about: darn hard work, being the Navy's reps 24/7, not a lot of family time. The payoff is doing something very few aviators get to do with a level of precision second to none. That can be immensely gratifying. But the price they pay is high. It takes a special breed to do what they do, and I'm not talking about the air work. R / John |
#10
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Dudley Henriques wrote: I've known many of the Blues personally all the back to Bob Aumack, and I totally agree with you and John C on this issue. Many people have absolutely no idea how "complicated" it gets with your life when accepted for the acro teams. The Blues aren't alone with this. The Thunderbirds, and the rest of the world's teams all seem to have the same feelings about it when cornered and nailed down to some serious talk. (usually accompanied by some serious libation :-) Most of the guys I know say they would do it again, but many talk of the high stress involved with the daily grind away from the airplanes as being almost crippling to your good nature. I know of more than one marriage that went south because of the related family stress . It's really hard on the families even though the girls try and hang in most of the time. The Thunderbirds at one time even formed a support group for their wives called the "Thunderbrides". I'm not sure if it's still in operation. The mission is a tough one, and it's really a full time job, and I mean 24 hours a day when I say that. The stress of being "on camera" and "out front" all the time in front of the public is HUGE. Even on the road the guys don't get a moment's peace. In fact, many of the pilots I know would tell you in a second that flying the show was the EASY part of a Blues tour! :-) I've been away from it for a while now, and I'm saddened by what the old pilots are telling me about what's going on now within the teams. Without getting into a lot of detail I wouldn't discuss in public, it just doesn't seem to be the same as it used to be. I hope it gets better. Dudley Henriques International Fighter Pilots Fellowship Commercial Pilot/ CFI Retired For personal email, please replace the z's with e's. dhenriquesATzarthlinkDOTnzt "Frijoles" wrote in message link.net... Well stated shipmate. A member of my squadron was selected for the Blues back in the late 80s. I ran into him in Pensacola between seasons after he had done one year of the routine. I'll never forget the conversation nor the telling comment - "I just want to get out of this alive...". It is a tough life in many different ways -- he felt like he was living an alternate reality where his life was not his own. A few years removed from it, he said he would do it again only if he were single simply because of the time away. The general public doesn't have much insight into the demands of the job. They're generally captured by the 'notional' flying skills of the participants. But, to me, emerging from the experience with ones perspective intact takes alotta character. "John Carrier" wrote in message ... First air show at NMM in a number of years with (of course) the Blues as the main attraction. Schedule doesn't permit attendence on Sat/Sun but I managed to take my granddaughters to the practice show Friday ... the three year old LOVES airplanes. Blues showed up with 5 jets, dash 3 was Med down and didn't make the trip ... first time I've seen a med down cut into the show (and I've been watching 'em since F-11 days). A 3-plane with dash 4 on the wing plus the two solos. I realize it's early in the season and 4 doesn't often fly wing, but they were pretty bad (and they were pretty bad when they last performed here ... then a team with "issues") and seemed to have several A/C problems. 2 lost his smoke in the line-abreast loop and then rapidly dropped aft 1-200 feet, stabilized there and completed the maneuver (rejoined well away from show center ... I'd love to know what he was looking at and what Betty was telling him as he neared the top of the loop). A couple more maneuvers in which they just flew by vice performing the acro. Then only four jets in the sky (I think it was 4 that actually landed). OBTW, the solo act lacked crispness as well ... the simo tuckunder was done in loose cruise. I've always felt a lot of sympathy for these guys. They're attracted to the team for maybe the wrong reasons. Go through a rush process (that's a kick to see the wannabees ... we're talking about senior Lt's or Lcdr's with somewhere well north of 1500 hours tactical jet time ... showing up at the shows as eager as college freshmen). When they get to El Centro, the new guys find out what the Blue Angel experience is all about: darn hard work, being the Navy's reps 24/7, not a lot of family time. The payoff is doing something very few aviators get to do with a level of precision second to none. That can be immensely gratifying. But the price they pay is high. It takes a special breed to do what they do, and I'm not talking about the air work. R / John Well, I hope they get their act together before this weekend. I'm planning on seeing the MCAS Beaufort show. Bob McKellar |
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