What: Blue Angel Practice Sessions; Where: Flight line behind the National Aviation Museum on NAS Pensacola; When: Scheduled most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings through September; Cost: FREE
The Blue Angels will resume their practices on March 16. Practices are held most Tuesdays and Wednesdays on the flight line behind the National Aviation Museum. Practices begin at 8:30am. Admission to the Blue Angels practice is free and it is open to the public. It is located on NAS Pensacola so when you are on base, be sure to abide by the signs and rules.
These practices are a great way to see the flight acrobatics up close and personal. There are bleachers but unless you get to the flight line early, you might not find a seat. You are welcome to bring your lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on. If you can get close to one of the volunteers, you might be able to hear the pilots speaking to each other through the volunteer’s walkie talkie. I recommend that you bring earplugs for the little ones because you are pretty close to the jets as they zoom by. Throw a couple of water bottles in your purse because it gets very hot on the pavement of the flight line. The last time we were at a practice, there was someone selling earplugs and water but I am not sure if the vendor is at every practice.
After most Wednesday practices, there is an autograph session in the Naval Museum.
The 2011 Practice Schedule is as follows (according to the Naval Museum:
- March 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
- April 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 26, 27
- May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 31 May 3 and 4 - Special practices in Pensacola celebrating the Centennial of Naval Aviation.
- June 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22
- July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 July 9 – Pensacola Beach Air Show
- August 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 30, 31
- September 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27
- October 19, 25, 26
- November 1, 2, 8
- November 11, 12 – Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, NAS Pensacola
These practices are scheduled to change without notice due to weather, mechanical operations, etc. You can call the Blue Angels office before you head out to NAS Pensacola to see if the practice will be happening that morning.
To read more about the Blue Angels Practice Sessions, visit Five Things to Remember When Attending Blue Angel Practice Sessions.
