Blue Angels recovering from Dirty Loop today

On Wed, 7 May 2008 15:51:19 -0500, "Pensacola Beachcomber"
wrote:

Do you know if there is a reason for one aircraft to have it's
arrestor hook down? Is it a signal, an aiming point for formation
flying or something or has someone hit a switch?

Hey Mike,
Actually, three of the four aircraft (numbers 2,3 and 4) have their
tailhooks down and their landing lights on. They are in the landing
configuration which is called a "dirty aircraft" because it causes drag and
makes the aircraft harder to fly. The diamond formation comes from the end
of the runway with in a dirty condition and then fly a full loop right at
the center of the runway. As they climb they get slower because of the
drag. As they go over the top of the loop and start the downward dive we
hear the pilots reduce the engine power. The aircraft come down in the dive
without making a lot of noise and then they power back up to complete the
loop and fly past the crowd. The number 1 aircraft, the Boss, doesn't put
his tailhook down for safety. If the slot aircraft, number 4, slide just a
tad forward during the maneuver it could be dangerous.
The attached picture is from last Thursday when the Blue Angels practiced
and I stayed in my yard at home. What you see in this image is the diamond
formation lining up for the runway to start the run-in for the dirty loop.
The photo needs to be brightened but you can see how close they are and that
2,3 and 4 have their tailhooks down.
When the aircraft are at the bottom of the loop and flying away it reminds
me of the flying bicycle scene in ET. A bunch of happy, smiling kids flying
off into the sunset.........Tom in Pensacola

"Mike Barnard" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 7 May 2008 15:51:19 -0500, "Pensacola Beachcomber"
wrote:

Do you know if there is a reason for one aircraft to have it's
arrestor hook down? Is it a signal, an aiming point for formation
flying or something or has someone hit a switch?