Blue Angels, anyone?

[Erik71]

They were just at the Naval Academy but I missed a chance to try for a listen. I've seen them many times including as a Navy brat, growing up in Norfolk, and they're incredible (the best--Go Navy!...), but I've never had the means to try and listen in. Anyone ever catch them during a show?

 

[RaleighGuy]

They were just at the Naval Academy but I missed a chance to try for a listen. Anyone ever catch them during a show?

Anyone with an UHF Air band scanner can hear them in the clear, I was listening and recorded them at an airshow in North Carolina 23 years ago, but don't have the recordings any more (had computer issues and lost some stuff).

 

[hill]

All the information to monitor them is online.

Very easy to receive during shows, but there radio transmissions are brief in nature.

 

[Erik71]

All the information to monitor them is online.

Very easy to receive during shows, but there radio transmissions are brief in nature.

I figured it wasn't too thrilling to listen to really. It's all programmed in their heads come show time I would think. When they fly here over the harbor (Baltimore) a part of the routine puts one of them shooting straight up vertically and diving right down over my house. Gives me chills every time.
I've just noticed you're in Middle River! lol Cool Did you get a chance to visit them at Martin's?

 

[Technoguy58]

Actually, I find them extremely interesting to listen to. When you listen to them doing some of the formations they do, you can see how closely they pay attention to the lead plane. They follow his( or her) instructions very carefully. I never go to any airshow without a scanner. Never had a problem. The Blues put on an excellent show. Much better than the Thunderbirds in my opinion.

 

[hill]

I have seen them at various events over the years. Patroled air show area with Coast Guard Auxiliary the last time they were in Baltimore.


Yes, I did see them at Martin State Airport after their return in 2016. Did get some autographs from some of the Officer pilots, including the Captain the Commanding Officer. I am within walking distance of the airport.

Their airshow radio communications are just short transmissions to keep the planes inline. I do have some recordings from a PRO-668.

 

[zerg901]

I have often wondered if they could do the shows without radios.

 

[ka3jjz]

We've been keeping track of lots of flight teams, including the Blue Angels, when they do the Andrews shows for many years here...

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Joint_Services_Open_House

Mike

 

[N4ANJ]

There are numerous sites with video and scanner audio from past shows and several people post daily Winter practice with scanner audio. Quite interesting and hard to believe it is the same routine over and over and over but that is how they get close to perfection. "Witman" on You Tube is one of the best

. ENJOY!

 

[drdispatch]

I have more experience monitoring the T-Birds, being an Air Force veteran, and they have come to our air show more times than the Blues. That said, a few years ago we got the Blues instead of the Birds. After their performance, the #6 aircraft's "gear down & locked" indicator didn't come on, so he couldn't land. We were watching the show from a parking lot adjacent to the airport and I had my PRO-2004 plugged into the power outlet in the back of the van monitoring their comms. Everybody within earshot of the scanner gathered around, and before too long it was drawing a crowd. We got to listen to the pilot and the ground crew "work the problem", and he was able to land after about 20 minutes. Point being: "Always take a scanner, 'cause you just never know..."

 

[w2lie]

I record the audio every year we have an air show.

Here is some audio from 2006 for the Blue Angels
2006 / Downloads - W2LIE.net | Monitor Long Island, Inc.


here is some audio and video from this past weekend's air show. This year the Thunderbirds were the headliner. (Jump to the last hour of the video to hear them perform)