When I Lost My Lunch w/ the Blue Angels Over Billings [VIDEO]
That's right- I finally lost my lunch with the US Navy's Blue Angels over Billings, Montana.
I was trying to filter the air conditioning up through my sleeves. The blast was coming from right under the GoPro camera attached to the seat of the #7 Blue Angel pilot in front of me (Lcdr Thomas Zimmerman). I was in the back seat of the F-18. I started getting the Burt Reynolds sweaty chest hair action going. I started sweating above my upper lip. The heat and the 7.3 G's were finally getting to me after about 35 minutes. I better grab the bag.
For those of you who saw part one of my flight with the US Navy's Blue Angels- it was even more incredible than I thought it was gonna be. I was also amazed that I didn't start yacking and passing out earlier in the flight. I joked before the flight that I was fully prepared to be an absolute train wreck.
Here's Part 1.
(By the way- big thanks to Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative for sponsoring our LIVE coverage from the Yellowstone International Air Show and for powering our coverage!)
*I should also note: we were NOT wearing G suits. The Blue Angels do NOT wear G suits due to the precise maneuvers needed during their performances. They have to operate these aircraft and perform physically inside the aircraft- all while performing maneuvers that place them within inches of their fellow Blue Angels. These Blue Angels are INCREDIBLE.
Alright, so if you watched part one- that was the first video clip that I was able to upload to YouTube last week. If you watched the end of Pt.1 you would have noticed that we had already done all sorts of crazy maneuvers. About 35 minutes in, I started looking a little rough...I started needing some more of the AC. That was the end of the first video clip provided to us by the Blue Angels.
Let's get to Part 2 of the video clips provided to us by the Blue Angels.
About 4 minutes into Pt. 2 I figured I better break out the bag. I DID NOT want to bring home a messy plane for the crew chief.
Luckily I was able to regain my composure after yacking just a little bit and pull some more maneuvers- like this squirrel cage followed by a roll captured below.
We did a flyby of the Montana Talks tower around the 1550 mark into Pt.2. This is the top floor of the Doubletree Hotel that is home to the "Montana Talks statewide radio show with Aaron Flint", the Breakfast Flakes and Cat Country, Michael Foth and the Mix 97.1, Josh Rath and The Hawk, and a new Lite FM station.
Alright, here you go. Here is part 2- where I lose my lunch with the US Navy's Blue Angels over Billings, Montana. Ready...Hit It!
Here's a great edit put together by longtime Montana TV photographer Paul Humphrey: