Blue Angels grounded

[John S]

On Aero-News Network

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=0c869665-096a-414a-be2b-96719c74319f&

[cpasley]

Lower than normal huh, so is this a punishment?

[Chris Kennedy]

There is a video of the performance on that day at the following URL. The maneuver that ended up very low is near the end, at about 24:00.

http://youtu.be/6IWVRlPHyY8

[Jay Beckman]

Having watched that clip, I have to say I don't get it...

However, if The Boss says "stay home and practice," you can be sure they'll stay home and practice.
It would be a shame though if this ends up keeping them from overflying the Naval Academy graduation.

[Joe Copalman]

Perhaps this is more directed at wingman discipline/trust than anything else.  Those two aircraft that broke formation were on the same trajectory as lead, and he came out alright.  Regardless, glad everyone is alright, and that's far more important than making it look good.

[F-16_fixer]

I don't see a problem as long as the ejection seats still work    Now that's thrust you can trust.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Unfortunately, it appears that the Naval Academy graduation demo has been canceled!

http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/media/news/20110523_001.pdf

[Chris Kennedy]

Unfortunately, it appears that the Naval Academy graduation demo has been canceled!

http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/media/news/20110523_001.pdf

That release is actually about the practice and show in Annapolis, not the graduation flyover.

This one does announce the cancellation of the flyover and the show this weekend in NJ however.

http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/media/news/20110526_001.pdf

There will be a graduation flyover by VFA-143 though.

[Chris Janes]

From what I've been told the teams safety officer on the ground called for the "knock off". The wingman I'm sure had no idea how low they were until the knock off was called. I'm glad this didn't turn out like 1982 Thunderbird Diamond crash. I'm sure the stand down is more than just for practice. I would guess all procedures are being looked at for not only pilots but everyone else on the team.

[Paul Dumm]

Correct me if I am worng, But in formation flying like this the only one looking where they are at is the one flying in the number one Aircraft. Every one elase is looking at his Aircraft keeping there spot fixed.

[Chris Kennedy]

Optimist of the week. The Mayor of Millville, NJ on the airshow that has just lost the Blue Angels. Quoted after the cancellation.

"We anticipate a very large crowd. We're hoping for excellent weather, and it probably will be one of the premier air shows in the country," Millville Mayor Tim Shannon said.

[Chris Kennedy]

The BA CO has been relieved -- at his own request.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60665

Two more shows have been cancelled.

[Joe Copalman]

Wow.  I always question how "voluntary" things like this are, but it's good that they're pressing forward with the old boss.

[Jay Beckman]

I guess they've tapped Boss McWherter to come back.  He was CO when we were there last winter.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Based on past documentaries of the BA program, the pilot peer review process after every practice and performance appears significant. In your face, no sugar coating, peer to peer criticism. I wonder if Boss Koss' decision to step down was initially prompted by his squadron in a peer review setting?