Blue Angels in Atlanta: FAQ, know before you go...

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Parking and transportation -- Free parking is available on three lots close to the base at Lockheed, Six Flags White Water and Jim Miller Park. Free bus transportation will be provided to and from those lots. There is no public parking at Dobbins ARB. Buses will start running to the base at 8:30 a.m. both days. Return rides to the parking lots will be available throughout the day. No one will be permitted entrance to the base after 1 p.m. Handicap parking will be provided on base with entrance through the Windy Hill Gate.

What to bring -- All visitors will be required to go through security before entering the base. No weapons, glass containers, backpacks, pets or coolers (except for baby formula and medication). Baby strollers are allowed.

For more information, visit www.wingsoveratlanta.com

Blue Angels facts

Why are the jets painted blue and gold?
The jets bear the official colors for the U.S. Navy.

How do you produce the smoke, and why do you use it?
The smoke is produced by pumping biodegradable, paraffin-based oil directly into the exhaust nozzles of the aircraft where the oil is instantly vaporized into smoke. The smoke provides a traceable path for spectators to follow, so they can see the flight profile that has been flown. It also enhances safety of flight by providing a valuable means by which the solo pilots can see each other during opposing maneuvers and conditions of lowered visibility or haze. The smoke poses no hazard to the environment.

Why can't the public listen to the pilots' conversation during the show?
Since all maneuvers are preceded by radio communication broadcasting these radio calls or making the frequencies of their radios publicly available could interfere with pilot communication, thereby jeopardizing safety of flight.

Why is the C-130 called "Fat Albert?"
"Fat Albert" is a nickname given to the plane by Marine Corps Blue Angel pilots in the 1970s because of its size and shape and is a reference to the popular children's cartoon by Bill Cosby of the same era.

How much fuel does Fat Albert hold?
Fat Albert holds 46,000 pounds of fuel.

What is the difference between a Blue Angel Hornet and the new F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet?
The Super Hornet is 25 percent larger, can fly 40 percent further, remain on station 80 percent longer and carry more weapons than its predecessors. The Super Hornet F/A-18 E/F models have deployed with battle groups since 2001. This aircraft is the Navy's newest acquisition and its advanced technology will be used to carry the fleet into the 21st century. The decision to transition to the Super Hornet has yet to be determined.

History

Following the end of World War II, the Chief of Naval Operations, Chester W. Nimitz, ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to keep the public interested in Naval aviation.

The Blue Angels performed their first flight demonstration less than a year later in June 1946 at their home base, Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla. LCDR Roy "Butch" Voris led the team, flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat.

Since 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 463 million fans.

By the numbers

Boeing F/A-18 Hornet

Prime contractor:  Boeing

Principal contractor (airframe): Northrop

Powerplant: Two General Electric F404-GE-400 low-bypass, turbofan engines; each in the 16K-pound thrust class

Length: 56 feet

Height: 15.3 feet

Wingspan: 40.4 feet (with missiles)

Wing area: 400 square feet

Speed: Mach 1.7 (1,200 mph)

First flight: November 1978

Crew: One (Two in trainer version)

Combat radius: 500-plus nautical miles

Combat ceiling: 50,000 feet (approx.)

Fuel: 11,000 pounds internal, 16,000 pounds with external tanks (approx.)

Max takeoff weight: 56,000 pounds (approx.) fighter escort missions

Cost: $18 million

Source: Blue Angels

For information about the Blue Angels, visit www.blueangels.navy.mil.