This weekend I kinda got a private demo by a f18 Blue Angle Hornets visit to our
airport. I'm based at Waukegan Airport (KUGN) in Waukegan Illinois. I didn't
see him land on Friday, 12/2 but here is an account from someone in the club
that was the Ranger 4 (callsign used) reports field in site and request 360
break to land. Performs the coolest 360 degree circle mid field and land
perfectly. Longest runway is 600ft. Parks at DB aviation. Jet sits there
for the weekend. Plane is painted in Blue angles colors except no team number
on the tail.

Sunday, I just came in from flying around a bit and noticed the canopy was
opened on the f18. So a bunch of us watched, pulled out the binoculars and
checked out the pilot. Had Bright yellow helmet same color as Blue Angles trim.
Fires up the engines and taxis out. Taxied out to end of runway 23, and
receives clearance for 10,000 ft. Starts takeoff roll and is flying in ground
effect down the runway. Then near the end of the runway, he lights up the
afterbunners and goes vertical. Jet blast leaves a big swirlling cloud of snow
(we got 3 inches the night before). The runway was cleared to perfection too!
Buildings shook and windows rattled. A few students and instructors where in
the pattern when he took off. All they could say was wow!
Anway he put on a very nice show for us.

Just wanted to share this experience.

Kevin Kubiak - PP-ASEL
Stick & Rudder Flying Club