For those of you that are aviation enthusiasts, this DVD set is a must have. Blue Angels: A Year In The Life follows their 2004 season, from the begining of training in late 2003 to the end of the season in late 2004. It goes behind the scenes of training, maintenance, "the demo", the tour, the history of the team, and selection of newbies.

I first saw this 4 hour show earlier in the year on The Military Channel (formerly known as Discovery Wings). It has finally come out on DVD for $22.00. I've a huge Blue Angels fan for years, and this is one of the finest documentaries about them I have yet seen. When I first saw this program, it was shortly before Hilly and I went to Janeville WI to see them perform at an airshow. What a rush!!!

Here's where to get the DVD:

Blue Angels: A Year In The Life

 

Tom,

I didn't know the Blue Angels were still flying. I thought that they had been disbanded because of the frequency of accidents and the cost.

 

Hi Rob,

No, the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds have both been continuously active since their inception. Both programs are significant efforts aimed at recruitment and public affairs, and both have been hugely succesfull.

IIRC the T-birds have had a worse accident record than the Blues over the last 10 years or so, but that hasn't had an effect on either teams viability. If there is an incident, the team may stand down for some period of time, and sometimes the rest of the season may be cancelled. In each case, the team rebounds, learns from what happened and comes back better and safer than ever.

 

Hi Tom.

Thats good to know. I imagine that they must be very effective recruiting tools.

 

I love the Blue Angels...a couple of former boyfriends were Navy pilots. One tried out for the Blues a couple of times, but didn't make it. Another commanded the winter training facility for the Blues, in El Centro, CA. So I've met some of them in past years and seen them fly several times. They are awesome!!

 

I tip my hat to the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds program. That's got to be one of the most dangerous vocation out there. They are probably the best of the best in their skill levels as well as in their courage.

 

Watching these guys (angels or t-birds) is something NOT to be missed.

Tom, thanks for the pointer. I need to get that.

 

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the post with the link. I may have to make it a present to myself.

As an aviation buff since about five or six years old. I think that the people that qualify have the best job in the world. Not only do they get paid to do what they love to do, as one retiring Thunderbird put it: " I have the best job in the Air Force! I am the only one that has the green light to make high speed inverted passes at 100' off of the deck and make people smile".

I, (and we) have seen the Blue Angles perform on numberous occassions. If any one here has not, you don't know what you are missing.

I know that the Blue Angels have PR flights before their shows for the local media and high profile celebrities that can bring them media attention. These PR flights are done in the two place F-18 #7 that is used for photography, etc.

In the past, I have e-mailed both my Congressman and the Blue Angels requesting one of these rides if their schedule is not full at any given air show. I included that I am willing to travel anywhere at any time to take a ride with them. Unfortunately, I have never even received the courtesy of a response.

This has inspired me to re-write them both again. Unlike some accounts of journalist and celebs, having been on many aerobatic rides over the years in both Big and small Stearmans (about 4 G's) and in a Grob sail plane as well. It is not likely that I will throw up in their cockpit either.

I remember reading one journalist account of his ride with the Blue Angels. Part of the experience is getting your "Blue Angels call sign" In his case, it was not something to be proud of? His call sign: "Two Bagger" :-)

 

In Seattle we are lucky enough to have the Blue Angels perform here every year during Seafair.

It's the only thing I truly love about Seafair. We live 1.5 blocks from Lake Washington and they rip right in front and over our house. It is awe inspiring to say the least.

 

I would probably end up being a "Three Bagger." I can't even do extreme rollercoasters. I better stay on the ground.