- The History of the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squad
- How many performances are put on a year
- How the Blue Angels have contributed to the corona virus
The Blue Angels squadron was formed in 1946 by the US Navy, consisting of 6 Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets, flown by five highly trained navy pilots. On average, the Blue Angels give 60 aerial shows at 30 locations yearly throughout the United States, averaging 11 million spectators watching the aerial performance. The purpose of the Blue Angels is to showcase the pride of the United States Navy by inspiring people to serve our country through flight demonstrations. The original Blue Angels crest logo was designed in 1949, by Lt. Commander Raleigh “Dusty” Rhodes, their third Flight Leader and first jet fighter leader. The aircraft silhouettes change as the team changes aircraft.
During a performance, the Angels form a diamond in tight formation at around 400 mph. They perform maneuvers like loops, rolls, and transition from one formation to the other, wowing the crowd. The Super Hornets are modified for faster flight including removal of the weapons that are replaced with smoke-oil used in demonstrations and outfitted with a control stick spring system for more precise aircraft control. Since the Corona Virus outbreak, the Blue Angels have not done as many aerial shows, but they did a tribute to healthcare and front like workers by flying over multiple US cities.
