Some back ground on the fly over after National Anthem.(well done Gaga not trying to overshadow the song).
The Blue Angels are preparing for their 2016 airshow season in El Centro, CA. The team practices 6 days a week. M,W,F the pilots fly twice a day, T, Th, S they fly three times a day.
Even though the flyover was only seen for a few seconds the 6 pilots flew in a tight formation right from Takeoff.
They flew overhead waiting for the timing signals called in from a team member at the stadium for 20-25 min.
To make sure a small twitch by a pilot doesn't jerk their plane in to the formation and wipe the rest of the planes out, the planes have a 25lb spring attached to their stock grip. That means 25lbs is needed to hold the plane straight and level and 25lbs of force is required to make the plane change directions.
Also the two pilots just behind the leader on the sides, fly not looking forward, but with their heads twisted 90 degrees. All their movements are based off the cadence and voice commands of the lead jet.
Here they were taking off this afternoon.
The 4 "diamond" jets take off together in formation. The two solo pilots that form the back points of the Delta formation will take off shortly after and join the formation.
Six pilots flying jets and 30-40 maintenance personnel from the Navy and Marine Corps making it happen.
