The Blue Angels have become revered for their dynamic, jaw dropping, awe-inspiring air show stunts. From flying at hundreds of miles an hour at inches apart, the Blue Angels represent the best of the best. Which is what makes it a useful tool for US NAVY recruitment.
Becoming a Blue Angel Pilot
The selection process for the Blue Angels is intensely competitve. The risk involved in their show is extraordinary and for the safety of the pilots, the safety of attendees at air shows and to be a useful recruiting tool then the pilots must be the best of the best.
However, it’s a long and arduous process to be able to perform a Blue Angels demonstration. This is why the Blue Angels practice so much. The Blue Angels spend every January-March at Naval Air Facility El Centro training and then continue their training at their home base: Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Attending a Practice
Blue Angel practices are open to the public at Naval Air Station Pensacola. It is free to attend and lasts about an hour. A practice session will normally begin at 10AM but if you want to make it on time then you need to be on Blue Angel Parkway headed to the West Gate no later than 8:30AM the morning of a practice.
It will likely be sweltering hot with minimal shade. However, concessions are run by the museum and they have cooling stations set up along with many volunteers that can provide needed assistance.
