Can I fly with the Blue Angels in an F/A-18?
Yesterday we published an article about this blog about customers who think they can rent a supersonic fighter jet just like a car, today we want to cover another topic that is very popular among potential clients – Blue Angel rides. We get contacted sometimes with plenty of questions like:
– How much to fly with the Blue Angels?
– How to get a flight with the Blue Angels?
And there is a reason why this question is being asked quite often. Because the Blue Angels actually take passengers for a ride, and there are a lot of videos available, showing passengers flying with the Blue Angels (our favourite is below). Yes – they do! BUT before you get too excited, you can’t just pay for a ride with the Blue Angles. The purpose of the US Navy Blue Angels is to do PR for the Navy and Marines and to find young adults to join these organisations. For that purpose, the flight demonstration squadron Blue Angels gives away three seats to so-called key influencers in the KI program. And what a KI exactly is, according to the Blue Angels:
“The KI program selects individuals who shape attitudes and opinions of youth in their communities”
So, for non-key influencers and non-military pilots, there is actually only a single possibility to fly a supersonic jet these days, and that is the Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum flight.
Here is one of the lucky guys who made it – our friend Brian.
But for those who can’t fly with the Blue Angels, we hope to at least cheer you up with this video of one of the key influencers who was not in good shape and had a hard time dealing with the G-Forces.
Funny, isn’t it? By the way – did you know that the Blue Angels is the second oldest formal flying aerobatic team in the world, after the French Patrouille de France?
And because we like them so much – look at the cool things they do:
What fighter jet was used in top gun?
Tom Cruise flew the Grumman F-14 Tomcat – a twin-engine, two-seat (yeah, Maverick and Iceman), variable-sweep wing, supersonic fighter jet. The F-14 Tomcat was used mainly as naval air superiority aircraft – to protect aircraft carrier fleets – but also as an interceptor and multirole combat aircraft.
Can I fly an F-14 Tomcat?
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat -Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force – the so-called “Persian Cat”
Another “classic” among the requests we get. And we are pretty sure that Top Gun played a large role here that everyone wants to be “Top Gun for a Day” or book a Top Gun adventure. We’d love to offer the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, that famous supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing multirole combat fighter aircraft. The Tomcat has a huge fan base and had only two operators throughout history: The United States and Iran. Yes – Iran. It was delivered to Iran in 1976, when the US still had good relations, before the revolution. As you can imagine, the US really doesn’t like it that the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force is still operating them today. So, after the US retired the Tomcat fleet in September 2006, it made sure that not a single screw of its F-14 ended up in Iran – and scrapped them.
By the way – the Iranian “Persian Cats” had a lot of aerial battles against Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War: They shot down 160 Iraqi fighter jets while only about 12 F-14s were lost. But back to the question – can I fly an F-14? Probably never, sorry. Actually, there are two a articles who covers that topic available, have a look here and here.
But – the good thing for those looking for a Top Gun flight adventure is: MiGFlug has a load of other fighter jets available for flights. So, no reason to be disappointed. Here is an overview by aircraft and location.
Would you qualify to ride with the blue angels if you were in the U.S. Navy?
My father selflessly helped me during my cancer diagnosis and I cant think of a better way to repay him for all his love and support then to see if I can get him a ride in a Blue Angel’s jet. What would I have to do to possibly make this happen?
Flying in a military jet, be it a fighter or attack aircraft requires a LOT of training to be able to SURVIVE the g forces exerted on the human body!’
The pilots have to train & train some more because in battle maneuvers it would be like riding the meanest roller coaster in the world time 5 or WORSE !
MY DAD WAS SEARCH AND RESCUE HE PASS AWAY 2 YEARS AGO I GOT GOOD PICTURES FOR F16 HORNETS HE LOVE YOU GUYS CANT WAIT TILL YOU COME HERE OCTOBER 2023
Would it be possible to ride along if you are an av rate in the navy
My father retired as a CMSGT and I’ve always been intrigued by the fighter jets. He was a Vietnam Veteran and I want to be closer to him in every way.
I would love and be so honored to fly with the Blue Angles as a proud retired Navy Veteran. How can I go about this?
Awesome video
Truly inspirational
One in a million
Ahh! If only…
Some comfort swooping my parachute
I would love to ride in honor of all those served especially my dad would have been 84 right now. He served in Airforce Korean War and was a jet mechanic Percy Alvin Mayo from Lucama, NC. I back the Airforce with a strong sense of pride since I was a little girl and love to see the planes/fighter jets at Seymour Johnson AFB. Call me 919-868-5494 cell Amy Cuddington. I also work at Duke Hospital during the last 12 years and never stopped even during this Covid battle we deal with daily. ?? ✈️
MY DAD WAS SEARCH AND RESCUE HE PASS AWAY 2 YEARS AGO I GOT GOOD PICTURES FOR F16 HORNETS
it makes me cry! I wanna fly so bad. I’ve cried at air shows for as long as I can remember and l lived across from Carswell. its my dream that I’ll never be able to afford
I would love to get my son a ride in a fighter jet. He loves the adrenaline rush of going as fast as he can. He thinks he can handle it but I don’t. Thank you
Can I buy a ride on g force jet
Absolutely – go to https://migflug.com/ – you can see an overview of available fighter jet rides here
Recently I watched Blue Angels flew over Dallas to honor medical workers. I was so pride to watch.
Because I am Deaf , Can I ride in Blue Angels.? I would love to fly with an awesome pilot. My dream is for my birthday.
I have had the dream of becoming a flight engineer ever since I can remember. Sadly this never happened because of multiple reasons. Main reasons here recently because of my fight for survival from sepsis and c diff and internal bleeding for several months just to find out a year later during recovery from all that I have been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer ending all dreams of me ever getting the chance to enter the air force and starting a career in flight. I always told myself during my recovery that I would get better and do the things that I dream of but I believe that dream is no longer available and is forever lost. Is there anywhere that gives you the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a flight or is their a charity that does something of this sort that you know of for people that have been diagnosed with a terminal illness only one I’ve seen is for people with a life expectancy of I think 9 months or less. Fortunately I don’t fall under these circumstances but I still have no where near the funds to purchase a flight part of me wants to save for a flight but I’m not sure I will be able to raise the funds in time to do so as I’m not able to work anymore because I’m disabled..
It was Maverick and GOOSE, not Iceman. Iceman’s rear was Slider.
My boyfriend wish is to ride with a Blue Angles. Would like to surprise him someday. His name is John M Hawthorne
Veteran
Served The Army 1980s. Did 2 years in Germany
Now in the American Legion 862 in Temecula Ca.
American Legion 852
I wold love to do a fly along with the blue angels
I wanna fly!
I am a disabled Vietnam vet with life-time ambitions to fly fighter jets, especially off aircraft carriers. Never developed. Before finishing college, I was drafted into the Army and was an infantryman in ‘Nam.
However, since the war, I got my BA from college and have flown only an ultra-light plane. Loved it! However, I main ambition before I “buy the farm,” is to go up with a Blue Angel naval aviator and then I could die with a smile.
Please let me know if I can make this dream come true.
Johnny
I will be 76on 3-18-20i have always had the desire to fly in a fighter jet This is my number 1 on my bucket list.I am in excellent health and physical condition. I am READY TO Good ‘!!!
I cannot see you accepting my wish. There seems to be those more worthy than I. But oh to wish my bucket list could be fulfilled. I am 81 something I have wanted to do ( probably never get the chance just fantasize). My father served in WW II. I have other veteran’s whom I am very proud of. My country means a lot to me PLEASE,PLEASE. Pat Miller. E mail Pattij39@att.net
While stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Az. in the mid sixties, got a couple of backseat rides in an F4C and got to do most of the flying (commercial pilot’s license with instrument rating). Also got to see the Thunderbirds first show of the year each year. Was nominated for the team doing airborne radio maintenance but only had about a month left on my enlistment. After the service, worked for a company called California Microwave in Sunnyvale, Ca. They had a two story building right off the approach end of the runway at Moffett NAS. Used the watch the Blue Angles fly their show from the rooftop every year before they moved to fleet week. Would like nothing more that to get a ride along with them.
I would love to fly with the Blue Angles. I served in the Army Reserves for 10 years and have been a Police Officer for 7 years. I would love to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity.
My husband was hit by a drunk drive whom hate to say he was killed. My husband had his neck was broke in two places. He had a crack in his intestines that they didn’t fine for 7 days after surgery the doctor came in and told me to go tell him goodbye he said he had 3 hrs to live . After three weeks in a coma he woke up to his left leg was was broken in 16 pieces he had a halo and a colostomy. After 52 days in hospital where he had to learn to walk again! My husband was a pilot he had his license and was fly a lot he had a dream of one day ride one of your jets if there is a chance that’s possible I would be very thankful. Thank you!my husband is Ronnie Holden!
Don’t think he is in any state to be flying let alone in a military jet.
I am 84 (will be 85 in June…#1 on my bucket list is to be allowed to fly with a Blue Angel…how do you get your name on the list of possible winners? My name Leah – Seattle, WA…email: mole2@broadstripe.net Thanks for info if possible.
I’m respectfully requesting a jet ride for my spouse who is an accomplished African American woman, passionate about anything to do with flying, who is a Cessna 172 pilot in her own right and who could be a great KI, Key Influencer PR subject to recruit young African American women and men to join the Navy and Marines.
My name Julia : I look at all of you and I say you give me joy and hope I just lost my husband in 2020 he was in army 20 year I was with him and did all the moves his name Michael Manuel E-6 Returned.. went to see the blue Angels that was the time of my life. I am now going to be Age 74 come 8/ 24 / 2021 I work for the Army in Augusta, Ga. I want to say to You all be safe take the gift that you were given for life is a joy to see . you bring so much joy , and smiles If only for a while I am very happy just to see is to learning be happy you bring it home each and every time you fly know that I look it up on you tube see you fly all I can say is good job every time I see you . So God Speed to each and every one of you . Know that you can change some one when they need just to see you fly is the joy of life and a gift from each and every one that comes to see you fly. What you do each and every time is something that will stay with me for a lifetime oh how good it is to dream to see the smile that you give to me I thank you for that and for many, many more you will give to all the life of joy and Faith for each time you fly you bring a smile.
Mrs. Julia P .. Manuel .
Would love to get a flight with the Blue Angels, I was part of VF-41 assigned to the USS Nimitz from 79 to 83, I was an AD worked the line and a white shirt trouble shooter on the roof. We flew the F-14s.
My brother is a veteran of Vietnam and I would love to give him the gift of riding with the Blue Angel this would be an adventure of a lifetime and one he will always remember. Can you please tell me if this would be possible?
Hi there! My name is Sarah Goodman, and I’m writing to you on behalf of my husband, Caleb Goodman. He’s a HUGE fan, and has been to many Blue Angel shows throughout the years. A little background story, he’s been sober for over 8 years, and going to see the Blue Angels and capturing video and editing them with music, was a very big part of his recovery. It was a hobby he did in the beginning to help keep his mind off of drinking. You should see some of his work! My ask, and what would make a dream come true, is if my husband could go fly with the Blue Angels! We live in the DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX) area, and super close to Alliance Airport, which is where some of the air shows are held. Maybe the next time they’re in town, we could make it happen?!
Much love, ??✈️
Sarah Goodman
214-498-4936
I’m interested to celebrate my 50th birthday!!!