That team picks the best then puts them through the wringer in training. One of the most detailed operations you'll ever see. Great documentary on it: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-osPWwQxMEJA.html
They are the best. In the late 1980s, the Blue Angels team would park their 7 jets plus Fat Albert just outside of the door next to my desk at work. I worked for Boeing Commercial Airplanes Flight Test at Boeing Field in Seattle in the big checkerboard hangar. Not only was I able to stand right there when they performed their mount up and takeoff, but the pilots would come into our office after they arrived and walk through asking us about what we do, and giving us a rare chance to witness them interacting on a lighthearted level. All of them as polite and professional as possible, no rough edges, just the brightest and best. It was an honor for me just to be present. Thanks for the service and the shows!
The level of multi-tasking is extraordinary: flying the airplane and being constantly vigilant for anomalies, keeping one eye on the instruments and the other looking for traffic, monitoring ATC, and all the while walking a layman through the maneuvers in a calm, supportive and reassuring manner. That, folks, is PROFESSIONALISM, DISCIPLINE and SITUATIONAL AWARENESS--virtues most of society sorely lacks. Thanks for the ride!
You can hear the sincerity in his voice. Wow, I am so impressed with this gentleman. Boy he makes the passenger and the viewing audience feel like we're in good hands.
I'm a retired Marine and have always wanted to do this especially since Navy pilots saved my life a few times when I was in combat daily for months. I've flown 500k miles as a commercial passenger and all body systems are 100%
Kaitlin, you were unbelievable, way to go. Plus Lt. Rickoff was quite the gentleman. Now imagine him in a Super Hornet, weapons hot and his fangs out. That's what he's trained to do, God Bless him.
When you start watching something like this, your first thoughts are that it's amazing that mankind can conceive and build such machines and do it so well and they function so wonderfully well and it's a joy to see. Then you see the focus, skill and realize long term dedication of the people who make those tremendous machines perform to the potential their builders designed them for. You come away more amazed than when you started.
Mark S and to think the first flight of Mankind was at Kitty Hawk with Orville and Wilbur Wright just 117 years ago and think of the places aviation and space exploration have taken us!!!! Also imagine Charles Lindbergh flying a plane with no windshield, minimal navigational aids, no autopilot, marginal at best fuel system flying from New York to Paris single engine over water with no idea how far he could’ve drifted north or south.....
I used to live a few miles from Boeing in st louis. i got to watch these fly straight up full afterburner to get out of airspace all the time. Occasionally you would see them doing the slow flying manuever and they were usually still in green primer.
It is amazing. Then the F18 Super Hornet is just the Navy's display plane. The F22 Raptor is faster, more agile and has stealth capabilities. It's performance is only limited by the amount of Gs the pilot can take. It's an modern marvel.
This pilot, was the most gracious host and pilot. Installing so much joy and confidence at the same time. Even for me the viewer on my laptop. Well done, Lt. Rickoff!
Lt. Rickoff does an awesome job with this ride. He talks and coaches you through every maneuver, and doesn't surprise you with anything. This is the way to introduce someone to this type of flying. You get a lot more out of the experience when you can trust the pilot not to scare the crap out of you or deliberately make you sick. As much as some pilots may be disappointed to not be chosen to be one of the six demo pilots, I personally think being #7 may be the best job in the squadron, because you get to give people a flight they will remember for the rest of their lives, and introduce them to a world that the average Joe will never experience. Pretty cool.
@@bryanward3327 That's usually true with the Blue Angels. It is not usually true with the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds have 2 non-demo pilots and neither of them will typically ever move into one of demonstration billets. In one case recently, the Ops Officer, TB7, who was an O-5, was chosen to lead the team after the CO was relieved of duty.
Very very cool, this is the only way I would want to do this type of flying. Hats off to this awesome pilot for his professionalism and for not trying to scare the hell out of her. That would be my biggest fear about flying in this sort of jet. Hats off to the pilot!!!!
Yeah, you know, that stood out to me too. Not only is he an elite aviator but he’s obviously a good guy and a tremendous communicator. Very impressed by that.
Lt. Cary Rickoff is impressive without trying to impress the passenger. Always talking to the passenger to let them know what is going to happen. Brilliant.
Totally awesome. We get to watch the Blues practice twice a week when the weather permits, here in Pensacola. We never get tired of them. Katlin is one of the very lucky ones to get a ride. She's a trooper.
The pilot was very professional with the way he informed his rider. I like how he informed her about everything that he was going to do, and how he explained the maneuver before he actually did something.
The Blue Angels are as good as our own ""Red Arrows here in uk.I am a veteran of the Royal Air Force,spent 22yrs,and had flights in the Harrier Jump jet,also in VC10 and Tristars.Now am retired and extremely ill with Bowel Cancer.But Blue angels you keep the great displays and work all your teams,congratulation,and from a brit,""YOU MAKE ME PROUD" well done.Mike Cox
This is testimony to the fact that members of this elite team are not only highly skilled at their profession, but genuinely good and caring individuals. You will not become a member of The Blue Angels simply by having a pilot's license!!! Thanks to all of you, and your ground crews as well!!
What an amazing experience! Kudos to Kaitlin for being such an adventurous flyer! Double kudos to the pilot for his amazing commentary and how he kept her informed and asked for her permission. Wow, totally jealous!
This pilot is an incredible teacher and clearly is all about wanting people to experience his passion and not be scared. He is so gentle and lets her be in control and builds confidence. What an amazing experience! God bless and keep all our service men and women safe.
@@jasonwagner9828 LOL well, when you grow a set of balls big enough to say that to a Vet to his/her face, let me know....until then just keep playin’ with yourself.
It makes me so proud that we have men in our military that are so professional and just good guys. He really gave her a nice ride. I would love to be able to experience that. What a great job.
Lt. Rickoff: the epitome of professionalism and airmanship. Represents himself and the US Navy in an stellar manner. What a wonderful video. I am jealous of this lady. Other than flying formation in a P-51 Mustang, which I did in 2006, the other biggies for me would be either with this F-18 or a USAF Thunderbird F-16.
It's been with no doubt a hell of a pilot who didn't hesitate to ask once , twice and even 3 times the same questions before taking any decision. This lady also showed a great behavior and level of understanding.... she took her time before releasing any " yes", and that's what helped the pilot also take great advantage and pride of the actions, great ride my lady, you have now another story to tell and i am very happy for you. Great pilot, no damn doubt about it. Well donw !!!
I spent my military time during the Vietnam era in Naval Air. We had a squadron of 12 F4 Phantoms. Once you get used to the speed you really can't be away from it!
Love this video pilot is tremendous I’ve seen the blue angel several times I am so inspired by their Skill,, precision and Dedication .Thank you Lieutenant and thank you Caitlin for sharing this with us
F-18 hangar deck crew members who service this jet for years never get a chance to experience what this reporter did, even though they dream of going up in it. I also had this experience as a reporter and later talked to maintenance crew members on board the USS TRUMAN during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I went to buy a piece of furniture I found on Craigs list. When the man opened the door he had an Aura eminating from him of pride and confidence. It was kind of an eriae feeling being near him but I was not scared of him. I can not remember his name but after the purchase was made he invited me in for Iced Tea. When I went inside of his very beautiful home and we sat in his Den. It was discovered he was a retired Blue Angels Pilot. His Confidence in himself was supreme.
I just came across this. WOW what a ride Lt Rickoff gave. I'd have been bubbling over with excitement and joy. There were a couple of maneuvers I'd have said Let's go again! Heck, all of em. Doing power on stalls in an old Citabria was fun; but this was over the top.
Every time he asked you if you wanted to do a maneuver, I kept saying "DO IT!!". So glad you said yes to them. I got to ride in an F-16 once, and it was AMAZING!!!
Isn't he so AWESOME? This is a really great demonstration of interpersonal communication. Listening to his voice he has such a calming effect on the passenger.
Have seen vids like this a bajillion times, but they still make me smile. The pilot's ability to command and maintain the exact amount of G that's called for never ceases to impress. You love to see it.
Man, what I wouldn't give to do this. It has been a dream of mine every since I was a little grommet! Thank you so much for letting us experience this vicariously.
So comforting to know we have such professional , knowledgeable. and confident pilots in our armed services. Also kudos for the brave young lady. She was a trooper!
Almost brings tears to my eyes the entire video. Haven’t missed and airshow in SC in over a decade (Beaufort, Sumter and one in Pensacola in 2019). I’d give a substantial body part to do this!!!!
This video just made my day ! Awesome person said yes to everything and that is admirable and courageous. Amazing opportunity taken full advantage of. Inspiring to say the least!
She is a fighter. No earthly idea what's happening, but her attitude is so positive throughout. I love how she started looking around during the min radius turn like a boss. Awesome. With training, i bet she'd kill it. Many, many ppl would've given up way earlier in the flight. Edit: just realized this is your channel. Please replace 'she' with 'you' :) I've dreamed of a blues ride since i was a kid. Still haven't given up! Thankfully I might be getting a t6 and t38 ride... that's a start!
