Incredible cockpit camera captures US Navy’s Blue Angels display team as it soars over Florida coast
- Footage shows demonstration during the Fort Lauderdale Air Show in Florida
- Boeing F/A-18 Hornets took to the skies spinning around and flying upside down
- Thousands of spectators watched the incredible air show from the shoreline
The US Navy’s Blue Angels display team have showcased their incredible high-speed aerobatics in stunning footage.
Taken from inside the cockpit of one of the jets, the clip displays the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron during the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, in Florida, earlier this month.
Flying in diamond formation – with some spinning around and flying upside down – the blue (and yellow) planes soared across sunny skies overlooking the Fort Lauderdale Beach shoreline.
The US Navy’s Blue Angels showed off their skills during the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, in Florida, earlier this month
Taken from inside the cockpit of one of the jets, the clip showcases the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron flying in diamond formation
Some planes spun around and flew upside down during the breathtaking display over the Fort Lauderdale beach shoreline
The aircraft in the demonstration, Boeing F/A-18 Hornets, made their debut in 1986 and are still being used by the US Navy today
The aircraft seen here, Boeing F/A-18 Hornets, made their debut in 1986 with the squadron, and is still used by the team today.
Thousands of spectators were thrilled by the military aerobatics during the air show on May 4 and 5, which also featured an A-10 Warthog, the US Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team and many other impressive aircraft.
‘It’s pretty crazy! It shows the tremendous power of the U.S. military,’ one onlooker told CBS Miami.
And another said: ‘The adrenaline that goes through these guys is impressive.’
Thousands of spectators took to the beach to watch the air show on May 4 and 5, which also featured an A-10 Warthog, the US Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team and many other impressive aircraft
Blue Angels: Showcasing the skills of the US naval aviators since 1946
The Blue Angels were created at the end of the Second World War to highlight the skill of naval aviators.
Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Chester Nimitz, created the original exhibition team, which featured F6 Hellcats.
Other aircraft came and went over the ensuing years, including the F9 Panther and F11 Tiger.
The Blue Angels were created at the end of the Second World War to highlight the skill of naval aviators
The F/A-18 Hornet had been in service with the US Navy but logged too many hours to continue as carrier-based aircraft.
Once handed over to the Blue Angels in 1986, several modifications were made to the aircraft, including the removal of the nose cannon.
It was replaced with a smoke-fluid system. Changes were also made to the control system, to make it more suitable for precision flying.
The jets are also given their new blue and yellow paint scheme.
However, despite their modifications, they can return to duty on an aircraft carrier within 72 hours.
The job of piloting in the Blue Angels does not come without risk, and throughout its 73-year history, 27 pilots have been killed in air show or training accidents, giving the job a 10 per cent fatality rate.