DougG2001
Member
I do know Blue Angel 7 isthe show narrator, and flys and around looking for landmarks for blues 1-6 for the show, and gets logistics in order.
Selfridge/ Willow Run airshows 2017
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ssmontecarlo82
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This is accurate. One of my old bosses was in flight with #7 yesterday. He posted it on his Facebook.
DougG2001
Member
Ya 7 does do vip flights. That i was not denying, i was just adding info that 7 does. Right now 7 has a fox news reporter and just took off.
Side note all performers will be practicing on friday. I will be going out there either tomorrow or friday.
Side note all performers will be practicing on friday. I will be going out there either tomorrow or friday.
What we have - https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?aid=7836
DougG2001
Member
Actually 1-6 arrived yesterday and 7 arrived on tuesday. I was there with my son when they fired up their engines for practice today before they took off at 1200 when the airspace around willow run closed for their practice.
DougG2001
Member
Ya today for practice was landmark looking. We were sitting were they park on the tarmac.
Xray
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- May 24, 2005
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Went to my spot detailed a few days ago, they flew a different pattern and didn't even use the main runway [5R] like they did last time, can no longer recommend that spot, especially show days when you have to pay.
I did go further down Tyler road until I hit a roadblock and great view from there, but I am 99% sure that won't be an option on show days.
Confirmed freqs of
237.8
275.35
284.25
305.9
139.8125 [nfm]
142.6125 [nfm]
All in heavy use.
They flew around noon to 1 doing their marking ,,, They didn't like the "garbage dump", the big landfill right on the show flight path, one guy said "that garbage dump is a monster" ,, Made it difficult to see their show center mark until they were almost right on it.
Solos took off right when the diamond landed and they did their thing, heard them referring to schools, ponds, shacks, cranes and numerous other things in their quest for waypoints.
Solos hooked up with a Bearcat in BA colors and a B-25 for a bunch of heritage passes, heard one BA pilot saying ":this guy is all over the place" apparently referring to the Bearcat, so the formation was not very tight.
They landed and took off again at 3pm for a full show rehearsal, started a high show but switched to low and clouds rolled in.
Other than that it was almost dead, no flyins except a c-47 with a female pilot who did many, many passes.
Not sure where I'll be for the show, going to have to look as google maps and try to figure out another spot in relation to where they were flying today, will post back when able.
I did go further down Tyler road until I hit a roadblock and great view from there, but I am 99% sure that won't be an option on show days.
Confirmed freqs of
237.8
275.35
284.25
305.9
139.8125 [nfm]
142.6125 [nfm]
All in heavy use.
They flew around noon to 1 doing their marking ,,, They didn't like the "garbage dump", the big landfill right on the show flight path, one guy said "that garbage dump is a monster" ,, Made it difficult to see their show center mark until they were almost right on it.
Solos took off right when the diamond landed and they did their thing, heard them referring to schools, ponds, shacks, cranes and numerous other things in their quest for waypoints.
Solos hooked up with a Bearcat in BA colors and a B-25 for a bunch of heritage passes, heard one BA pilot saying ":this guy is all over the place" apparently referring to the Bearcat, so the formation was not very tight.
They landed and took off again at 3pm for a full show rehearsal, started a high show but switched to low and clouds rolled in.
Other than that it was almost dead, no flyins except a c-47 with a female pilot who did many, many passes.
Not sure where I'll be for the show, going to have to look as google maps and try to figure out another spot in relation to where they were flying today, will post back when able.
Xray
Member
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- May 24, 2005
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- 618
I'll tell ya what - I'm gonna check tomorrow but if they don't close the 94 service drive, a perfect view would be just past the rest stop before Rawsonville [going west].
I know they don't/can't close off 94 itself, don't know about the service drive. About 20 years ago when the garbage dump was much smaller we climbed up there, great view but we got booted off pretty quick. Ideal spot would be just east of the hill, pretty sure they fly their main showline right there.
On the other side, options are limited.
I think they fly a line pretty much down Denton Rd, they might even literally line right up on it. They always close Ecorse rd and any spot short of Mich Ave is near completely hemmed in by trees. I do have decent spots I've been to before off Michigan ave for a plan B or C.
I know they don't/can't close off 94 itself, don't know about the service drive. About 20 years ago when the garbage dump was much smaller we climbed up there, great view but we got booted off pretty quick. Ideal spot would be just east of the hill, pretty sure they fly their main showline right there.
On the other side, options are limited.
I think they fly a line pretty much down Denton Rd, they might even literally line right up on it. They always close Ecorse rd and any spot short of Mich Ave is near completely hemmed in by trees. I do have decent spots I've been to before off Michigan ave for a plan B or C.
DougG2001
Member
I just want to let people know that Fat Albert is not here and will not be here for the show per the crew that I talked to during the meet and greet tonight. The crew had to fly in on a different plane and all the gear was trucked in. Apparently Fat Albert needed some work done at their home base in FL.
Xray
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- May 24, 2005
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- 618
Yeah, they are using a standard C-130, they had some problems with that last year.
Hopefully they will get another dedicated aircraft soon.
Nothing special today, Blues put on a great show, had a crowd of people around my scanner [hooked up to a small guitar amp] in awe of the Blues chatter.
Was expecting alot of arrivals, not much came in. Off the top of my head:
Canadian C-130
German A-400M
A couple mustangs and B-25's
A-26
F-86
P-3
C-47's
A-1 Skyraider
Waited till past 7 for the F-18's and F-5's, never did show.
[Appears the F-5's have been scratched from the list and a couple A-10's added, no doubt will fly in in the morning, or maybe came in after I left.]
Am a little distressed about a spot for show days, don't think the service drive is an option and I can't do what I have done past 2 days.
Looks like plan B, Michigan off of Denton.
Hopefully they will get another dedicated aircraft soon.
Nothing special today, Blues put on a great show, had a crowd of people around my scanner [hooked up to a small guitar amp] in awe of the Blues chatter.
Was expecting alot of arrivals, not much came in. Off the top of my head:
Canadian C-130
German A-400M
A couple mustangs and B-25's
A-26
F-86
P-3
C-47's
A-1 Skyraider
Waited till past 7 for the F-18's and F-5's, never did show.
[Appears the F-5's have been scratched from the list and a couple A-10's added, no doubt will fly in in the morning, or maybe came in after I left.]
Am a little distressed about a spot for show days, don't think the service drive is an option and I can't do what I have done past 2 days.
Looks like plan B, Michigan off of Denton.
Xray
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- May 24, 2005
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- 618
Really weak show, about the worse I have ever been to.
Outside of the Angels that is, they make going worth while but I have never been to such a poorly paced, boring show in my life.
I would be furious if I spent $60 to go in, but being a freeloader on the outside can't complain.
Hit my spot on Mich off Denton, some great passes from the Angels but hemmed in by trees a bit.
Am tempted to try the rest stop for the last day, not sure yet. Might hang out a while for what little takeoffs there will be after the show, if I can get to the end of whatever runway they will be departing on.
Outside of the Angels that is, they make going worth while but I have never been to such a poorly paced, boring show in my life.
I would be furious if I spent $60 to go in, but being a freeloader on the outside can't complain.
Hit my spot on Mich off Denton, some great passes from the Angels but hemmed in by trees a bit.
Am tempted to try the rest stop for the last day, not sure yet. Might hang out a while for what little takeoffs there will be after the show, if I can get to the end of whatever runway they will be departing on.
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