TRAINING ROUTINES OF AIR SHOW PILOTS.
The Atlantic City Air Show was pleased to welcome back the US Navy Blue Angels after a nine-year absence. Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce president Joe Kelly said, “Atlantic City was made to do big events”. This show certainly fits that bill.
I was honored to attend the press conference held at the 177th Fighter Wing Headquarters in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. As I listened to the speakers, including our illustrious Atlantic City mayor, Don Guardian, the American flag waved in the breeze and the buzz of reporters anticipated their one-on-one interviews with the Blue Angels.
I was assigned to Petty Officer 1st Class, Curtis Matthews, a member of the Blue Angel’s Air Crew Survival Team who told me that the Blue Angels do not wear G-suits. These garments are designed with air bladders (pockets) that inflate and deflate to keep a pilot’s blood from pooling in their legs while executing sharp, unpredictable combat maneuvers.
But unlike combat flying, the Blue Angels demonstration pilots know the maneuvers they will fly prior to execution, so each pilot knows when he or she will be experiencing heavy gravitational forces.
G-suits would detrimentally impact flight safety since the Boeing F/A-18’s control stick is mounted between the pilot’s legs, allowing minimal room for un-commanded movement.
The pilots rest their right arms on their thighs for support and stability while flying. Therefore, inflating and deflating air bladders in a G-suit would interrupt this support and stability, causing un-commanded aircraft movement.
Since they do not wear the G-suit, they train to withstand the G-forces with a technique called Anti G-Straining Maneuvers (AGSM), by straining (flexing) their leg and abdominal muscles, and with a breathing method where they are taught to say “hick”.
These disciplines counteract the condition known as G-LOC, a gravitational induced loss of consciousness due to blood pooling in the legs, thus depriving the brain of blood and oxygen.
While we are privileged to wear the Blue Angel uniform for a short time, the legacy we uphold will last forever. We never forget that we represent our brothers and sisters deployed around the world. -Capt Frosch
We were guided to the tarmac where the six Boeing FA/18 Hornets were resting, prior to their practice flights soon to occur, and the main show attraction the following day.
Training is done in a centrifuge, a capsule-like machine that spins feverishly and is made to mimic the G-forces that would be felt during a real flight.
This AGSM technique of training reminds me of the practice of Progressive Relaxation, which I’ve taught to marathoners during race week, to help them stay calm, yet remain focused.
It works on the major muscle groups of the body and involves tensing and relaxing each group one at a time. It also concentrates on breathing through physical and mental awareness.
Petty Officer Matthews told me that their land-based exercise consists of core training, strength training and running, generally one to two times per day when they’re not performing. Protein-packed foods including chicken and fish help to keep their muscles well-fueled, yet they tend to eat a light diet so as to not feel weighed-down during flights.
Public Affairs Officer, Lt Amber Lynn Daniels, US Navy, responded to my question about the fitness training and nutrition of the pilots. She said they are required to exercise six days per week, and that good nutrition is stressed among all military personnel.
The 2015 Atlantic City Air Show was my first air show and the 13th air show for the AC Chamber who manages it. Watching from the beach at the Chamber’s chalet, I experienced a sight to behold as I gazed up in the sky and knew that these amazing fliers were among the best-trained pilots in the world.
