Blue Angels Question(s)

"Wizard of Draws" wrote in message
news:C048B3AD.6AC96%jeffbREMOVE@REMOVEwizardofdraw s.com...
On 3/23/06 12:26 PM, in article
et, "Dudley Henriques"
wrote:
My question for a long time has been, how do they keep their speed
synchronized so well so they can maintain such tight formations? It seems
to
me that small variations would have to creep into their engines, requiring
micro adjustments to the throttle settings in flight. Do they have that
available, or are the engines so well maintained that X% of thrust on
Bird1
is _exactly_ the same as every other?
--
Jeff 'The Wizard of Draws' Bucchino

Formation that tight isn't done by an engine setting per se. It's done by
relative motion. For example, lead always "gives up" a few % in RPM as his
full throttle position to give some play percentage wise to the lowest power
setting in the formation. There's always a few RPM for the slot and 2 wings
to use if they need it.
As to holding position, it's done by relative motion on a single position ,
usually lead in the Diamond. Lead sets the power and everybody does whatever
it takes to hold position. There is a set line of sight for each position
called a "paint" that coincides with a direct position line to that spot on
another aircraft. Power is adjusted to maintain that paint. No attention is
paid to what percent RPM is required to do that. It could very well vary
from position to position. The only thing that's important is that lead is
off the throttle enough that the slowest plane (RPM wise) in the formation,
has the excess power spread to hold the position.
There's a WHOLE lot going on with all this that the public never sees or
hears. Flying a 20 minute show for these guys is just about the same
physical effort as playing an entire football game as a pro...BOTH ways!
And this doesn't even get into the mental strain!
Dudley Henriques