Display flying without a g-suit

[Warthog]

I have seen photos of the Blue Angel pilots without apparent g-suits. Does their display not call for this or are they super human.

Warthog

[SteveS]

Apparently they go through huge training programs to encourage muscle growth and strength in the lower body, so that their legs and lower body do the job of the G-Suit!

[spadeadam]

The Blue Angels fly so close to each other that the inflation / deflation of a g-suit under high g manoeuvres would move the hand controlling the stick too much......apparently

[Sheff]

They do spend most of their spare time at the gym. Then again, g-suits don't really work quite how people imagine. If you sat there passively waiting for the g-suit to keep blood around your brain, you'd probably be disappointed as they don't work that well. Basically, when inflated, it gives you something solid to push your muscles against, that's all. I guess the BA pilots have the "grunt" manoeuvre down to a fine art! As for the previous post, that sounds a bit unlikely given that the g-suit only comes up as far as your stomach - it's not going to affect where your arms and hands are.

[spadeadam]

Quote from the Official Blue Angels FAQ:- Why don’t the pilots wear G-suits?
G-suits are designed with air bladders (pockets) that inflate and deflate to keep a pilot’s blood from pooling in the pilots’ legs while executing sharp, unpredicted combat maneuvers. Unlike combat flying, the Blue Angels demonstration pilots know the maneuvers they will fly prior to execution, each pilot knows when one will be pulling heavy gravitational forces. Knowing and anticipating the changes in gravitational forces allows the Blue Angels demonstration pilots to combat the G-forces with muscle contractions. In addition, the Boeing F/A-18’s control stick is mounted between the pilot’s legs. The Blue Angels have a spring tensioned with 35 pounds of pressure installed on the control stick that gives the pilot a “false feel.” This allows the pilot minimal room for uncommanded 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-suits would interrupt this support and stability, causing uncommanded aircraft movement. In this case, Gsuits would detrimentally impact flight safety.

[roughcutter]

Apparently they go through huge training programs to encourage muscle growth and strength in the lower body, so that their legs and lower body do the job of the G-Suit!

...oh aye?!! Bet their women will love that then!

[Sheff]

It's true that the control column has a false feel but it's so false that you almost need two hands to control it - it's very heavy indeed. So I don't know how on Earth anyone would be resting their arm anywhere with that kind of pressure and even if they did, the tiny bit of inflation in the bladders wouldn't have any effect on arm movement. Sounds like an "official" excuse for disposing of the g-suit. As was said earlier, the real reason was/is probably because they don't look too glamorous!

[KINROTATE]

Probably linked to the the boom mics the 'Angels' use as well - smile your on camera.
Such Diva's!