Blue Angel hi-speed sneak pass - San Fran - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WVOtoGO · #1 12-09-2007, 01:14 PM

Cool pictures. Thanks for the post.

As for breaking FAA rules - Truth is – in most cases, all you have to do is ask. They are surprisingly lenient about things if you go through the right channels and ask before you do something normally against the regulations. It’s when you do it without clearance first, that gets you into trouble. As a helicopter pilot near a large metropolis, I ask for special clearance all the time. I’ve yet to be turned down.

As for that fly-by being at 700 mph – I’d have to say he’s no where near 700.
But a great series of pics of an awesome fly-by, regardless.

Thanks again for the post.

BTW - Here's the video:

http://www.videosift.com/video/Blue-Angels-Low-Speed-Pass-Over-San-Francisco-Bay

mgburg · #2 12-09-2007, 01:32 PM

We had the Blue Angels in La Crosse the week after the crash that killed one of their pilots somewhere down south...it was their first show following the loss of one of their own...

BAVBMW has it right...it's called the "Sneak Pass" and if you're not expecting it...many damp shorts are the result...dogs duck under cars and kids cry...neat stuff...scares the 5hit out of you...then the after-burner roar...

If you look closely at the photos, you'll notice that there is a "corridor" of clean water so the show can be performed...it just looks crowded because of the photographer's angle to the shot...you can be sure that the COAST GUARD made the area clear so the show could be performed...the FAA makes sure there's no one in the air during these shows and the area where the show is being performed has to agree to certain conditions WELL BEFORE HAND so that there's no mis-understanding about having the right conditions available for the pilots in case something "should" happen that's not part of the show's script...

As for the speed and height...600 m.p.h. is fast enough to give you a semi-bang...if the after-burners don't make you deaf during the pass...and the height is more like 50-75 feet above the "deck" - 20' wouldn't give the pilot alot of room to recover in case something went a little squirrely...Hey, 50-75 feet is close enough at > 600 m.p.h.!

This "stunt" will raise the hairs on your arms, neck and bck...even if you don't have any hair there to begin with...

Hatterasguy · #3 12-09-2007, 01:47 PM

Very cool!

He should have went super sonic, that really would have scared them!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f756vzaL63w

Those jets are freaken loud when they pass! I have been buzzed a few times on the water, I think they enjoy messing with sailboats.

Botnst · #4 12-09-2007, 01:50 PM

When I was a kid in Norfolk, VA the Navy was just learning how to deal with supersonic aircraft. The pilots would shake your windows and rattle your walls, for the times they were a-changing.

B

Bill Wood · #5 12-09-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

When I was a kid in Norfolk, VA the Navy was just learning how to deal with supersonic aircraft. The pilots would shake your windows and rattle your walls, for the times they were a-changing.

B

My Mother in Law lives in Hampton and we go there several times a year. I can assure you that they still "shake your windows and rattle your walls". They may not be flying at supersonic speeds but they make plenty of noise. She calls it "the sound of freedom".

WVOtoGO · #6 12-09-2007, 06:12 PM

Only shake the windows, you say ???

When I first came over from the UK, I owned a house out in the country just north west of Anna TX.

A rather showoff of a pilot I had only just been introduced to, decided to do a high speed rooftop pass over my house one afternoon in a Lear 35. The air wave the aircraft was pushing, broke every window on the approached side of my house. It also left some of my curtains a bit in shreds. Glass was everywhere. I’d hate to see what an F-18 is capable of.

It was a good thing that I was out in the garden off the end of the house and away from that flight path at the time. Needless to say, I was rather upset with him.

What a rucker that man was.

Silly me, as I wound up marrying the bloody nut.

DJ

Jim B. · #7 12-09-2007, 07:11 PM

^^^^^Uh oh. He sure wasn't kidding when he said you look over his shoulder sometimes at his Mercedesshop postings, was he???!!

This could get really interesting. <raises eyebrow>

Holeshot · #8 12-10-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

When I was a kid in Norfolk, VA the Navy was just learning how to deal with supersonic aircraft. The pilots would shake your windows and rattle your walls, for the times they were a-changing.

B

Where I grew up out here on the Left Coast, our house was right on the flight path to Moffet Field. Back during the war in Nam, F4's where out at Moffet. When they would pop back in was they went feet-dry it shook the valley. Eventually they made them stop (what a bunch of whiners) Great memories for sure.

A few years ago at Reno an F-16 popped Mach 1. That was a hell of a day at the airshow!

I wonder who got in more trouble, the pilot or the ground crew.. I imagine there was some finger pointing after he landed. The next day.. the airshow announcer made it very clear he would be making a SUB-SONIC pass. LOL. In 2006 an F-18 was right on the edge and the shockwaves blew dust off the hanger roofs.

As someone said.. that is the "..sound of freedom!".

Hatterasguy · #9 12-10-2007, 10:55 PM

I'd pay extra at an air show to hear a sonic boom! Stupid kill joys, it makes to much noise, bah. Its the sound of freedom!