13 Jun Media Opportunity with Blue Angels 10 a.m., Thursday, July 6, 2017

By Katie King-katie@ewbullock.com

June 13, 2017 –Pensacola Beach, Fl—

Who:           U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron – Blue Angels pilots and crew

What:          Media opportunity with the Blue Angels

When:         Arrive via back gate by 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, to ensure a media opportunity at 11:20 a.m.

Where:        Blue Angels hangar at Forrest Sherman Field on Naval Air Station Pensacola

In order to receive gate clearance and participate in the media opportunity with the Blue Angels at Forrest Sherman Field, all media must RSVP by noon on Friday, June 30, by contacting Katie King at katie@ewbullock.com. Please remember to arrive to NASP using the back gate entrance.

BLUE ANGELS FACTS

• An estimated 12 million spectators view the squadron during air shows each year.
• The highest maneuver performed in the air show is the vertical rolls maneuver, performed by the Opposing Solo at up to 15,000 feet. The lowest maneuver performed in the air show is the Sneak Pass, performed by the Lead Solo at 50 feet.
• The fastest speed flown during an air show is about 700 mph (just under Mach 1; Sneak Pass) and the slowest is about 120 mph (Section High Alpha).
• The closest distance the jets will fly to each other is 18 inches, during the Diamond 360 maneuver.
• The basic acquisition price of a single F/A-18 Hornet is approximately $21 million.
• The F/A-18 can reach an approximate speed of Mach 1.8, almost twice the speed of sound or about 1,400 mph.
• An F/A-18 weighs about 24,500 pounds empty of all ordnance and aircrew.
• The smoke is produced by pumping biodegradable, paraffin-based oil directly into the exhaust nozzles of the aircraft where the oil is instantly vaporized into smoke. It provides a traceable path for spectators to follow and enhances the safety of flight by providing a means by which solo pilots can see each other during opposing maneuvers. It poses no hazard to the environment.
• Fat Albert holds 46,000 pounds of fuel.
• Fat Albert’s cruising speed is 375 miles per hour and shaft horsepower is about 4,500 per engine.
• The maximum takeoff weight of Fat Albert is 155,000 pounds.
• Eight Marines are assigned to operate Fat Albert: three pilots, two flight engineers, a navigator, a flight mechanic and a loadmaster.