Question
: What does it take to become a pilot for the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron a.k.a. The Blue Angels? Also, is it possible for a woman to do it? Or are there women already who fly for the Blues?
Answer : Thanks for your question. I flew F-16s in the Air Force, but I know a couple of former Blue Angles and several of the Thunderbirds. The basic requirement for either demonstration team is to be a USN or USAF fighter pilot. You then apply in a very competitive process that involves interviews and traveling with the team to an airshow. If you pass all of that, you can be selected as a Blue Angel or Thunderbird.
These days, I don’t believe it is any harder to fly for one of the demonstration teams if you are a woman, in fact, it probably is easier, because there are so few women who want to be fighter pilots and compete for the teams. If you are qualified, motivated and have the right personality, you can be selected! There are no women pilots on the Blue Angels this year, but two female officers are part of the support team. The Thunderbirds have had three female pilots, including one who is the lead solo pilot this year.
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