Fighter jet leaves onlookers in a whirlwind of dust

This is the spectacular moment a fighter jet pilot left onlookers in a whirlwind of dust as his plane roared off the runway.

The US Navy F-18 Hornet from the Blue Angels display team created the spectacular cloud as the pilot performed a ‘low transition takeoff’. 

One plane spotter even ducks in the video because the jet is flying so low.   

The US Navy F-18 jet was filmed flying very low before pulling up to go vertical

Lieutenant Brandon Hempler from the Blue Angels was preparing for an upcoming airshow season when he gave spectators a taste of what was in store.

Hempler demonstrated a low transition takeoff directly over their heads much to the pleasure of the enthusiastic onlookers.

In performing the low transition take off, Lieutenant Hempler rapidly manoeuvred the jet from horizontal to vertical using the engines powerful thrusters, rather than gradually building altitude like conventional take offs. 

This video, recorded by Norman Graf, shows the takeoff, from Naval Air Facility El Centro, in California  

Flying near to the ground at low speeds, the jet is seen approaching as the camera-clutching enthusiast film the multi-million pound machinery from afar

The Blue Angels flight demonstration squad was formed in 1946 and are the second oldest flying acrobatics team in the world.

Pilots from the US Navy continue to tour the globe performing more than 70 shows a year, with an estimated 11 million spectators turning out to watch they annually.      

The job of piloting in the Blue Angels does not come without risk however, as throughout its 69-year history, 26 pilots have been killed in air show or training accidents. 

The US Navy F-18 Hornet from the Blue Angels display team created the spectacular cloud as the pilot performed a ‘low transition takeoff’