Seafair 2016: Boeing Air Show – US Navy Blue Angels

From practice sessions to the Seafair Boeing Air Show, it was great to see the US Navy Blue Angels McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet’s flying over Seattle and Lake Washington once again! As always the Blues put on a fantastic flying display and one I never tire of! I attended Friday and Sunday – Friday was nice and sunny but Sunday was unfortunately a bit gloomy for much of the day.

FRIDAY AUGUST 5th, 2016

Here come the Blues – heading in to start the Friday flying demonstration

I watched the air show from above the I-90 bridge which they close to traffic during the Blue Angels display (for obvious safety reasons) and allow spectators to view the show from one end of the bridge (nowhere near show centre). I prefer the higher elevation above them though.

The Blues soar across the I-90 Bridge and pass Bellevue

Glorious!

Great to see the Blues again

Formation flying is the Blues forte

The Blue Angels currently fly McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D fighter aircraft

Precision flying

Low and slow

The Blue Angels never fail to impress

Break!

They are everywhere over Seattle during Seafair!

 

SUNDAY AUGUST 7th, 2016

Good morning Seattle & Bellevue!

Welcome to some Sunday flying

Formation passes and solo displays

High and low

I-90 Bridge

Shows over lets get the traffic flowing again

In 2017 the team will transition to the newer Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. It is a bigger and heavier fighter so it will be interesting to see how much their routine will change to accommodate this aircraft. I for one cannot wait to see them in action again as soon as possible!

The future: US Navy Blue Angels Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet (image via Airshow News)