How do Blue Angels fly so close?

During the Diamond 360 maneuver, the Hornets will fly just 18 inches apart from each other! In the maneuver, Blue Angels #1 leads a pack of four who fly closely – just 1 ½ feet from each other – in a diamond shape. In fact, it’s so close, that in 2019 two jets touched while practicing a Diamond 360.

How do Blue Angels keep formation?

The Blue Angel F/A-18s have the nose cannon removed, a smoke-oil tank installed and a spring installed on the stick which applies pressure for better formation and inverted flying. Otherwise, the aircraft that the squadron flies are the same as those in the fleet.

How do the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds perform these maneuvers?

Teams like the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds perform these maneuvers through regular and consistent practice. The primary alignment is what they call the “center point” of the show. This is usually the runway and some object like a truck parked on it where the team tells them to.

What is a Thunderbirds air demonstration?

A Thunderbirds air demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solo aircraft highlight the maximum capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Why are the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds doing joint city flyovers?

Try refreshing the page. The Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds both put on spectacular air shows, and recently have been doing joint city flyovers to thank COVID-19 pandemic first-responders and those on the medical front lines.

Why don’t birds fly headlong towards each other during a demonstration?

Because they don’t fly “ headlong” towards each other. The opposing solos fly off set laterally ( or slightly in trail when doing certain turning crossing manovers ) to each other when flying t towards each other: beak to beak. Each manoever during the demonstration is designed to look perfect when seen from show center at the crowd line.