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Info request RE: Blue Angels and G Force
2/7/2015

Posted on 02/07/2015 6:44:12 PM PST by icwhatudo

Need info on Blue Angels and G-Force. What do they usually pull?

Its my understanding that

"The Blue Angels are trained to ward off G-forces without the help of G-suits, garments with air bladders that repeatedly deflate and inflate to help maintain blood supply to the brain. The suits' movements would interfere with the control stick between a pilot's legs. "

What is the maximum they can handle? When taking a reporter on a flight, what is the maximum G they would do?


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: blueangels; gforce
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To: eartrumpet

I could drone on about the friends I have who have flown with the Blues, show stories, combat stories, etc.

But I won’t.

Fact: they do Not wear g suits.

From the Blues official FAQ:G-suits are designed with air bladders (pockets) that inflate and deflate to keep a pilot’s blood from pooling in the pilots’ legs while executing sharp, unpredicted combat maneuvers. Unlike combat flying, the Blue Angels demonstration pilots know the maneuvers they will fly prior to execution, so each pilot knows when one will be experiencing heavy gravitational forces. Anticipating the changes in gravitational forces allows the Blue Angels demonstration pilots to combat G-forces with muscle contractions. Additionally, G-suits would detrimentally impact flight safety.The Boeing F/A-18’s control stick is mounted between the pilot’s legs. The Blue Angels have a spring tensioned with 40 pounds of pressure installed on the control stick that gives the pilot a “false feel.” This allows the pilot minimal room for un-commanded movement. The pilots rest their right arms on their thighs for support and stability while flying. Therefore, inflating and deflating air bladders in a G-suit would interrupt this support and stability, causing un-commanded aircraft movement.

As for Gs...
Standard show the will push 8+ in some places, but not for long. Most riders get queesie around 3 or 4. They won’t generally exceed 7g with passengers in no 7, but they have been know to take no 7 up with a VIP for a full show.


21 posted on 02/07/2015 8:17:19 PM PST by BlueNgold (Have we crossed the line from Govt. in righteous fear of the People - to a People in fear of Govt??)
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To: real saxophonist
The Blues actually don't wear G suits because it doesn't work with their persona. Custom flighsuits and the old 33 helmet are their trademarks.

nominally the hornet is rated at 7.5 G's. The G suit only buys you an extra G or so, if you are a well trained pilot. The Blues spend lots of time in the gym specifically working on their stamina for G tolerance.

22 posted on 02/07/2015 8:21:35 PM PST by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: icwhatudo

From a simple Google search of “do Blue Angels wear G suits”

top response

http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/show/faq.aspx

G-suits are designed with air bladders (pockets) that inflate and deflate to keep a pilot’s blood from pooling in the pilots’ legs while executing sharp, unpredicted combat maneuvers. Unlike combat flying, the Blue Angels demonstration pilots know the maneuvers they will fly prior to execution, so each pilot knows when one will be experiencing heavy gravitational forces. Anticipating the changes in gravitational forces allows the Blue Angels demonstration pilots to combat G-forces with muscle contractions. Additionally, G-suits would detrimentally impact flight safety.The Boeing F/A-18’s control stick is mounted between the pilot’s legs. The Blue Angels have a spring tensioned with 40 pounds of pressure installed on the control stick that gives the pilot a “false feel.” This allows the pilot minimal room for un-commanded movement. The pilots rest their right arms on their thighs for support and stability while flying. Therefore, inflating and deflating air bladders in a G-suit would interrupt this support and stability, causing un-commanded aircraft movement.


23 posted on 02/07/2015 8:21:54 PM PST by mountn man (The Pleasure You Get From Life Is Equal To The Attitude You Put Into It)
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To: icwhatudo

G-Force (aka Gatchaman)
24 posted on 02/07/2015 8:26:53 PM PST by Jack Hydrazine (Pubbies = national collectivists; Dems = international collectivists; We need a second party!)
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To: USNBandit

So if a news person, not wearing a G Suit or oxygen mask, claimed to have pulled 9Gs (and not passed out) with the blue angles....chances are they are full of BS?


25 posted on 02/07/2015 8:39:43 PM PST by icwhatudo (Low taxes and less spending in Sodom and Gomorrah is not my idea of a conservative victory)
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To: BlueNgold

So if a news person, not wearing a G Suit or oxygen mask, claimed to have pulled 9Gs (and not passed out) taking a ride with the blue angles....chances are they are full of BS?


26 posted on 02/07/2015 8:42:04 PM PST by icwhatudo (Low taxes and less spending in Sodom and Gomorrah is not my idea of a conservative victory)
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To: icwhatudo

Who is claiming such?


27 posted on 02/07/2015 8:46:49 PM PST by Half Vast Conspiracy (!)
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To: icwhatudo

Is the news person named Brian Williams?


28 posted on 02/07/2015 8:54:09 PM PST by july4thfreedomfoundation (Everytime the cash register rings in a gun store, a Founding Father gets his wings.)
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To: icwhatudo

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Taking-on-9-Gs-in-a-Thunderbird-High-Above-Florida-177050891.html


29 posted on 02/07/2015 8:55:41 PM PST by Half Vast Conspiracy (!)
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To: Kozak; Terry L Smith
They aren’t pulling high sustained G forces during a show.

Hardly the point, but since you bring it up, even a momentary high G incident can cause unconsciousness. At least one of the prop trainers back when were notorious for this being capable of this.

Regardless, I was responding to the outrage of the other guy at the idea that they did not wear G-suits.

30 posted on 02/07/2015 8:57:21 PM PST by doorgunner69
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To: icwhatudo

The hornet has a limit of 7.5 G’s. Anything over that would be an over stress requiring a maintenance inspection. I think they actually put g suits on the passengers for media rides. One of my buddies from flight school did the narrator/opposing solo track with the Blues.


31 posted on 02/07/2015 9:08:32 PM PST by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: Jack Hydrazine

Transmute!


32 posted on 02/07/2015 9:10:18 PM PST by Rodamala
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To: icwhatudo

9 G’s is possible with the thunderbirds. The slick configured F-16 has a 9 G limit


33 posted on 02/07/2015 9:10:57 PM PST by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: icwhatudo

No news person is going to pull 9 Gs with or without a G suit.
The Blues can do their entire set of maneuvers without exceeding 5 Gs, although they occasionally pull a little harder to turn a corner to make up some timing.

Even a trained military pilot on average needs help over 5 Gs witha G suit.
F 16 pilots will often pull up to 9 Gs with G suits and vests and special body maneuvers squeezing their diaphragms to keep blood in the chest cavity and head. They have stilted seat to increase tolerance.

Nobody is pulling 12 Gs.

Wearing a G suit does not interfere with flight controls.

Demonstration pilots trim nose down so that there is always a pull force required on the stick and all control movements are in the same direction, pulling, more or less as required. That allows more precise control than neutral trim which would require pushing and pulling around a null point.

Pulling Gs makes pilots handsome and cool and girls delirious.


34 posted on 02/07/2015 9:11:38 PM PST by oldbill
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To: doorgunner69

The most common aircraft for GLOC in the Navy has always been the primary training platform. Experience plays a huge factor in avoiding GlOC


35 posted on 02/07/2015 9:13:29 PM PST by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: icwhatudo
One of my favorite videos.

Magic Carpet Ride

36 posted on 02/07/2015 10:35:48 PM PST by Daaave ("Where it all ends I can't fathom my friends.")
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To: USNBandit
My buddy Mark 'Utah' Provo demonstrating a 7.5 G minimal radius turn.
37 posted on 02/07/2015 11:21:38 PM PST by real saxophonist (Spam, Spam, Spam, Bacon, and Spam. Extra Bacon.)
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To: doorgunner69

so was i, but yes, i did forget a prop plane accident of such style.

I do recall that there were a few of those, for some not keeping track, at a few of the air races in Reno, in times past, too.

History discounts the fact that, during WW2, anything newer than a Grumman F4F, or a Curtiss P-40, started having a bit more speed and agility, which adds to more G-forces upon the pilots and airframes, too.


38 posted on 02/08/2015 7:22:40 AM PST by Terry L Smith
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To: Kozak

Um, even for those who were the radar techs, after an intermittent short, under a kick panel, that never occurred in the flying straight and level of an F4, and the only way to chase it was to ride in the back seat with the panels removed to watch for a loose wire, while jinking about, and attempting to stay out of the way of the other control stick in front of you, which moved as the pilot moved his control stick in the jinks.

That did cause a mess to clean up, um, with “more places for stuff to run into crevices, etc.”


39 posted on 02/08/2015 7:28:16 AM PST by Terry L Smith
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To: doorgunner69

dear door,
yes you may.


40 posted on 02/08/2015 7:28:51 AM PST by Terry L Smith
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