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Re: 2021 US Navy Blue Angels Schedule

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:07 pm
by n33d4sp33d_85
From watching the live video of the Blues' performance today, it looks like LCDR Lance Benson, who previously served with the Blue Angels from 2016 to 2017 as one of the diamond pilots, will be taking LCDR Cary Rickoff's place as the opposing solo pilot for the 2021 season.

Re: 2021 US Navy Blue Angels Schedule

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:32 am
by chrondev
Hi there,

Why do we think this is a permanent change? Couldn't it have been for just that one show?

Re: 2021 US Navy Blue Angels Schedule

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:38 am
by n33d4sp33d_85
It was just a guess. But now after watching today's show on LiveAirshowTV, I can't help but wonder if the Blue Angels are going to fly as a five ship for '21 after all or if there will somebody on the team taking Cary Rickoff's place. Did Cary Rickoff have some type of medical issue that forced him stand down?

Re: 2021 US Navy Blue Angels Schedule

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:47 am
by RyanS
n33d4sp33d_85 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:38 am It was just a guess. But now after watching today's show on LiveAirshowTV, I can't help but wonder if the Blue Angels are going to fly as a five ship for '21 after all or if there will somebody on the team taking Cary Rickoff's place. Did Cary Rickoff have some type of medical issue that forced him stand down?
chrondev wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:32 am Why do we think this is a permanent change? Couldn't it have been for just that one show?
So the rumor is that a medical issue forced the original number 6 to step down late in winter training. A replacement pilot (Lance Benson) has been flying with the team as number 6. He flew with them during practice on Thursday and Friday, but because he is not officially on the team (no number on his flight suit even) he did not perform during the official show. I expect that he will soon be certified onto the team officially and then begin flying shows.

Another interesting development is that the team pretty much stuck to flat show maneuvers so far this weekend, even with mostly clear skies today. They have not done a single looping maneuver and only a few rolls. I am quite puzzled why they can't turn the high show maneuvers loose.

That said, the five-ship routine they flew today includes an extra sneak photo pass which might be the best Blue Angels photo op I've ever seen!

Re: 2021 US Navy Blue Angels Schedule

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:05 pm
by Alex41985
It’s probably because of the Sun-n-Fun layout or COVID restrictions

Re: 2021 US Navy Blue Angels Schedule

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:29 pm
by RyanS
Here's video of the first full performance in the Supers!


Re: 2021 US Navy Blue Angels Schedule

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2021 5:06 pm
by Alex41985
Thanks to the NNAM’s Facebook Live, I saw the high show routine. Everything remains the same except for one maneuver. The Left Echelon Roll has now been replaced by the Changeover Roll (Left Echelon-to-Diamond Roll). Fat Albert’s demonstration remains unchanged. Also, Chewy was flying BA6.

Re: 2021 US Navy Blue Angels Schedule

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:47 am
by awal2049
The Blues will be doing more closed practices, this time at MCAS Beaufort, through the rest of the week and into the weekend when the air show would have taken place.

https://amp.islandpacket.com/news/local ... 34154.html

Re: 2021 US Navy Blue Angels Schedule

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 5:07 pm
by RyanS

Re: 2021 US Navy Blue Angels Schedule

Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:16 pm
by n33d4sp33d_85
We've touched down at MCAS Beaufort SC for our 2nd training detachment this year! We're excited to practice here in South Carolina this weekend! Check out this video of Blue Angel #5, Cdr. Ben Walborn performing the Vertical Pitch over Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort!

The Vertical Pitch begins as the Solos approach each other at center point. As they cross each other, each aircraft pulls up 65-70 degrees nose up then rolls to inverted. Both aircraft complete a split "S" maneuver then cross over once again at center point. After crossing a second time, each pilot performs a right 360 degree roll, then clears behind the crowd!

#USNavy #USMC #FlyNavy #Aviation