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Blue Angels San Francisco radio calls - a little pullll...
The Blue Angels flight leader directs the team through a high-precision performance during San Francisco Fleet Week.
Summary
This recording captures the internal communications and ground coordination of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels during an air show over San Francisco. Flight leader "Boss" uses the team's signature rhythmic cadence to synchronize maneuvers with the other pilots and the ground coordinator, Mo-Doc. Due to a 1,700-foot cloud ceiling, the team executes a "flat top" show profile, keeping the performance at lower altitudes.
Analysis
This recording provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the extreme discipline required for world-class formation aerobatics. The most striking element is the "chant" or cadence used by the flight leader, known as "Boss." Rather than standard ATC brevity, the Boss uses a rhythmic, sing-song delivery for commands like "a little pull" and "ready, hit it!" This serves as a human metronome, allowing the wingmen to anticipate the exact moment and rate of control inputs, ensuring the formation moves as a single unit.
The transcript highlights the role of "Mo-Doc," the ground-based safety observer and coordinator. Mo-Doc provides critical real-time feedback on the formation's positioning relative to the "center point" (the focal point of the show for the crowd) and monitors weather conditions. In this session, the cloud base is reported at 1,700 feet, which dictates a "flat top" show. The Blue Angels have three distinct show profiles—High, Low, and Flat—depending on the cloud ceiling. A flat show eliminates vertical maneuvers like loops, focusing instead on horizontal passes and rolls.
Technical precision is evident in the constant stream of data: airspeed callouts (e.g., "410," "395"), distance marks ("one mile," "half mile"), and specific configuration checks like "taxi light on/off" (used as a visual signal to the ground) and "smoke on/off." The mention of "too many boats" reflects the unique challenge of the San Francisco performance, where the "box" is over the water of the Bay, often crowded with civilian maritime traffic.
The recording concludes with the Boss transitioning the team from their internal frequency back to the airport tower frequency as they conclude the demonstration. This highlights the seamless transition between the "show" environment and the standard regulated airspace of a major international airport like SFO.
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
ATC
Altimeter 29.89.
ATC
The current air pressure setting for your altitude gauge is 29.89.
BOSS
Arrival checks.
BOSS
Time to start our pre-landing checklists.
PILOT
Check altimeter set 29.89. Corrected center point elevation zero feet. Check smoke pressure off. Check taxi light on. We're on the field.
PILOT
I’ve confirmed the altitude gauge is set to 29.89. Our height is calibrated so it reads zero at the center of the field. The aerobatic smoke system pressure is off. Taxi lights are switched on. We’ve arrived over the airfield.
MO-DOC
Good afternoon, Mo-Doc and Video.
MO-DOC
Good afternoon from the ground coordinators and the video team.
BOSS
Good afternoon, Boss. Updated winds are 230 at 7. We own the airspace. They're calling the base at 1,700. Have a good one, Boss.
BOSS
Good afternoon, Boss. The latest wind is coming from the southwest at 7 knots. We have exclusive use of this airspace. They’re reporting the bottom of the cloud layer is at 1,700 feet. Have a great flight, Boss.
BOSS
Thanks, Mo. And until we hear otherwise, you might want to expect a modified flat top, depending on how the visibility is there at the crowd left.
BOSS
Thanks, Mo. Unless we hear otherwise, plan for us to perform our low-altitude routine, depending on how clear the view is for the crowd on the left.
MO-DOC
Mo copies.
MO-DOC
I understand and have noted that.
BOSS
Boss, I'm going up at 1,600. As we get closer over here, I just can't tell. It looks like it's a little better than I thought initially.
BOSS
Boss here, I’m climbing to 1,600 feet. As we get closer to this spot, I’m still not certain. It actually looks a bit clearer than I first thought.
BOSS
Okay, we'll take a look at it on the turn-in and we'll plan on a flat top unless we see otherwise.
BOSS
Okay, we’ll check the visibility again during our final turn and plan to fly the low-altitude show unless the weather clears up more.
PILOT
Okay. Solos, we'll give you another heads-up later as well.
PILOT
Got it. Solo pilots, we’ll give you another update on the plan in a little while.
SOLO
Solos, we hear that out of the clear-for-cloud. Good to see you.
SOLO
The solo pilots acknowledge; we’re out here in the clear air. Good to see you.
SOLO
Good afternoon, Mo-Doc Video. Come for G-38!
SOLO
Good afternoon to the ground and video crew. We’re heading in for position G-38!
MO-DOC
What's up, Solo Fatters? Welcome back, fellas. Rock and roll!
MO-DOC
What’s up, solo guys? Welcome back, fellas. Let’s get this show started!
PILOT
Does that all make sense in that 16-count?
PILOT
Does the timing for that 16-beat sequence make sense to everyone?
PILOT
Affirm.
PILOT
Yes, it does.
PILOT
Kind of a little bit lower out here in front of the crowd. We're going to do a little bit of stuff here at base plus six.
PILOT
We're dropping down a bit lower here in front of the audience. We're going to perform some maneuvers at about 600 feet above our minimum floor altitude.
BOSS
Boss going on the spring. Left turn. Look for the left. A little pull. We're in a left turn for the head-on. Flash over Ajax.
BOSS
Leader's starting the maneuver. Turning left. Keep your eyes to the left. Pulling back on the stick a bit. We’re banking left to set up for the head-on pass. Flash the lights over the Ajax landmark.
BOSS
A little pull. Rolling out. Head on. Delta, check squawks. Clear. Everybody take it in. Smoke on. A little drive. A little pull. 50 left. Solos detach.
BOSS
Pulling up slightly. Leveling the wings. Getting ready for the head-on pass. Delta team, check your radar transponders. Path is clear. Everyone tighten up the formation. Turn the smoke trails on. Accelerating a bit. Pulling back again. Bank fifty degrees left. Solo pilots, break away from the main group.
SOLO
Solos are clear. Smoke off. Coming right. Diamond and half clear on nine. Adding power.
SOLO
Solos have safely separated. Smoke trails off. Turning to the right. The diamond formation and the other half are clear of runway nine. Increasing the throttle.
BOSS
Airspeed now. Airspeed now. Correction. On. Mark. Mark. Power boy. Power boy.
BOSS
Watch your speed right now. Check the speed. Adjusting. Ready... now. Now. Give it some gas, kid. More power.
BOSS
Ready, hit it! Match. Turn in three right. A little low.
BOSS
Ready, go for it! Match my movement. Turning right in three seconds. We're flying a bit too low.
MO-DOC
Thanks, Mo.
MO-DOC
Thanks, Mo.
BOSS
Good bad, bro. Winds are 240 at 10. That's crowd left.
BOSS
Good catch, man. Winds are blowing at 10 knots from the southwest. That means the wind is coming from the left side of the audience.
BOSS
Crowd left.
BOSS
Coming from the left of the crowd.
MO-DOC
Boss, overcast at 1,600.
MO-DOC
Leader, the clouds are solid at sixteen hundred feet.
BOSS
Overcast 1,600.
BOSS
Solid clouds at sixteen hundred.
MO-DOC
1,700, Boss.
MO-DOC
It's actually seventeen hundred feet, Leader.
BOSS
1,700. A little pull. Take a mark. Take a mark. Stand by, Marcus. Right knife edge. Coming right, knife edge. Again, mark 410. Again, early 410. Working early 400.
BOSS
Seventeen hundred, got it. Pulling up a bit. Mark the timing. Mark it. Wait for it, Marcus. Banking hard right until the wings are vertical. Turning right, wings vertical. Check the speed at 410 knots. Again, we're a bit fast at 410. Trying to hit 400 knots a little earlier.
BOSS
Ready, hit it! On. Pressure. Smoke. Stand by, smoke. Working left. Smoke on. Smoke on. 50 left. Nice flat top.
BOSS
Ready, go! Engage. Feel the G-force. Get the smoke ready. Wait for it... smoke. Drifting left. Smoke on. Smoke on. Bank fifty degrees left. That's a nice, level formation across the top.
PILOT
Thanks, Mo. Flat top. Nice job, boys.
PILOT
Thanks, Mo. Level across the top. Great work, guys.
PILOT
Thanks, man. Too many boats out today.
PILOT
Appreciate it, buddy. There are way too many boats out on the water today.
PILOT
Nope.
PILOT
No.
BOSS
Rolling out. Diamond flat pass. A little drive. Adding power. Smoke off. Take 'em. Take 'em. Ready, take a mark. Take a mark. Stand by, Marcus.
BOSS
Leveling the wings. The four-plane diamond is doing a low, level pass. Pushing forward a bit. Throttling up. Smoke trails off. Your turn, guys—go for it. Get ready to hit your timing marks. Hit the mark. Hold on, Marcus.
BOSS
Six, left inverted. Walleye's left inverted. Center point. Coming right. Okay. A little pull. Smoke off. Working early 395.
BOSS
Number six, you're upside down on the left. Walleye is upside down on the left too. Heading for the center of the show. Turning right now. Alright. Pulling back on the stick a bit. Smoke off. Aiming for 395 miles per hour a bit early.
BOSS
Ready, hit it! On. Center point. Smoke on. Smoke off. Okay, rolling two left high. Match push.
BOSS
Get ready, do it now! We're on. Right at show center. Smoke trails on. Smoke off. Okay, rolling aircraft number two up and to the left. Match my forward pressure on the stick.
MO-DOC
Thanks, Mo. Behind the crowd. Check the taxi light out.
MO-DOC
Thanks, Mo. We're behind the spectators now. Make sure your landing light is turned off.
PILOT
Walleye, taxi light off. Smoke off.
PILOT
This is Walleye, landing light is off. Smoke is off too.
BOSS
Rolling out. Diamond aileron roll. A little drive. Easing a little power. A little pull to level. Smoke on. 1,000 feet. Clear.
BOSS
Leveling off. The four-plane diamond is starting a full roll. Pushing through it. Backing off the throttle a bit. Pulling the nose up to level out. Smoke on. We're at a thousand feet. All clear.
BOSS
A little pull. Ready, hit it! That's crowd left. A little pull. Ready, 280. Stand by, gear. Gear. Look out for five, four setup. Ready, adding power. 190 for the port.
BOSS
Pulling back slightly. Ready, go! That's on the left side of the crowd. Pulling again. Getting ready at 280 knots. Wait for it, landing gear down. Gear is down. Watch for aircraft five and four to get in position. Ready, more power. Hitting 190 knots for the left-side turn.
BOSS
A little pull. We're on a low bank. Roll on out. 1.6. Coming in. Coming right. Match push. Off. Up. Look up for four setup. Rolling center point. Nice hair push. Little roll, hair turn.
BOSS
Pulling back a bit. We're in a shallow turn. Level the wings. 1.6 miles out. Moving in. Turning right. Match my stick pressure. Smoke off. Climbing up. Watch for number four to get set. Rolling toward the center. Just a tiny push on the stick. A slight roll and a very gentle turn.
MO-DOC
Thanks, Mo.
MO-DOC
Appreciate it, Mo.
BOSS
Contact. Go get 'em. Smoke out. Nice edge. High. Ease the pull. Rolling out. Diamond dirty clean flat pass. A little drive. Roll level. Mile and a half. Mark. One mile. Mark.
BOSS
I see you. Go for it. Smoke trails on. Nice sharp angle. We're high. Stop pulling back so hard. Leveling out. The diamond is doing a pass with some jets having landing gear down and others tucked in. Pushing forward. Rolling level. Mile and a half out. Hit the mark. One mile out. Hit the mark.
BOSS
Center point. Coming right. Okay. Half miles, 430. I'm a little late. Miles, 420. 400.
BOSS
At the center of the show. Turning right. Okay. Half a mile out, speed is 430. I'm a bit behind schedule. One mile out, speed 420. Now 400.
BOSS
Ready, hit it! On. Center point. Smoke on. Walleye's in. Rolling right, center point 90 degrees. Ease the pull. Rolling out. Double farvel 360. A little power.
BOSS
Ready, do it! We're on. Right at the center. Smoke on. Walleye is in position. Rolling right, 90 degrees at the center point. Stop pulling back. Leveling the wings. Doing the full circle with two planes flying upside down. A bit more throttle.
MO-DOC
Pointed at three right. Six is late.
MO-DOC
Aiming toward the right of jet number three. Number six is behind schedule.
BOSS
Thanks, Mo. On the crowd for specific marking. Walleye's on. Smoke off. Ease the pull. We're on a low bank. Smoke on. Ease the pull. We're on a low bank. Four. Coming right. Adding power. A little more pull. A little more pull.
BOSS
Thanks, Mo. We're lining up with the crowd to hit our marks. Camera's active. Smoke off. Relax the stick. We're in a shallow turn. Smoke on. Ease up on the turn. We're still in a low bank. Number four, turning right. Speeding up. Pulling back a bit more. Just a bit more.
BOSS
Rolling out. 2.5. Level. Smoke off. You guys lead. Ready, hit it! On. Center point. Center point.
BOSS
Leveling the wings. Two and a half miles out. Level flight. Smoke off. You guys take the lead. Ready, go! Smoke on. Right over the center of the crowd. Center point.
BOSS
Ready, hit it! Here, Mo-Doc Video, that center point a little high. Three right, nice. Okay rolls.
BOSS
Ready, go! Hey, video crew, that pass over the center point was a bit high. Number three is looking good on the right. Okay, let's start the rolls.
MO-DOC
Thanks, Mo.
MO-DOC
Appreciate it, Mo.
BOSS
Smoke off. A little pull. Ready, take a mark. Take a mark. Stand by, Marcus. One mile, smoke on. Roll behind the crowd clear. Behind the crowd clear. Mark 3.8, 45 degrees. Mark early 391. Mark early 396. Up.
BOSS
Smoke off. Pulling up slightly. Ready, check the timing. Check the timing. Wait for it, Marcus. One mile out, smoke on. Turning behind the crowd line. We're clear behind the crowd. Marking at 3.8 miles, 45-degree angle. Marking early at 391 knots. Marking early at 396 knots. Climbing.
BOSS
Ready, hit it! On. Center point, nice. Match clear.
BOSS
Ready, go! Smoke on. Perfectly over the center, looks good. Everyone's clear and matched up.
MO-DOC
Thanks, Mo. Nice set, why? Behind the crowd for the sneaky left turn out. Walleye. Miles 350. Ease the pull. Rolling out. 270.
MO-DOC
Thanks, Mo. That was a good set. Moving behind the crowd for that hidden left turn. Camera's on. Speeding at 350 knots. Relax the turn. Leveling the wings. Heading 270 degrees.
BOSS
10, count one. Walleye. Smoke off. Adding a little power. Sportsman. Coming right. Burners ready now. A little pull. A little more pull. A little more pull. Burners ready now. Easy power. Easy more power. Ease the pull. Rolling out. Smoke off. Clear.
BOSS
Ten seconds, count one. Camera active. Smoke off. Speeding up a bit. Starting the Sportsman maneuver. Turning right. Get the afterburners ready now. Pulling back. Pulling harder. Pulling harder. Hit the afterburners now. Steady on the throttle. A little more gas. Relax the turn. Leveling out. Smoke off. All clear.
BOSS
Ease the pull. Rolling out. Some bank. Get a line of breast. Look on a line of breast. Flat pass. A little drive. Adding power. Little pull to level. Mark.
BOSS
Relax the turn. Leveling the wings. Shallow bank. Get in a straight line side-by-side. Check your alignment. Low, level pass. Pushing forward. Speeding up. Pulling up to level off. Mark.
BOSS
Smoke off. Smoke off. A little pull. Go down the stringer. Corky detach. Corky's clear. Coming left. Look for the left. A little pull. On. Ready, hit it!
BOSS
Smoke off. Smoke off. Pulling up slightly. Follow the flight line. Corky, break away. Corky is clear. Turning left. Watch for the turn. Pulling back. Smoke on. Ready, go!
BOSS
Rolling out. A little drive. Adding a little power. Smoke on. Little pull to level. Center point. Ready, break! Ready, break! Clear 350. One mile. Mark. Mile and a half. Mark. Coming left. 375. One mile. Mark 380. Smoke off. Up for six setup at 1.8. Modified flat double.
BOSS
Leveling out. Pushing ahead. Speeding up a bit. Smoke on. Pulling up to level. Right over the center point. Ready, break formation! Ready, break! Clear at 350 knots. One mile out. Mark. Mile and a half. Mark. Turning left. 375 knots. One mile. Mark at 380. Smoke off. Climbing to set up the six-plane formation at 1.8 miles. Preparing for the modified flat double maneuver.
SOLO
Solos, smoke on.
SOLO
Solo pilots, turn your smoke on.
BOSS
Ease the pull. Rolling out. Stand by bank. Adding power. A little pull to level. Smoke off. A little pull. Okay. A little pull. Rolling out. Smoke off. Ease it out. A little pull.
BOSS
Relax the turn. Leveling wings. Get ready to bank. Speeding up. Pulling up to level. Smoke off. Pulling back a bit. Okay. Pulling back. Leveling out. Smoke off. Smoothly exit the turn. Pulling up slightly.
MO-DOC
Thanks for the work there, Mo-Doc and Video.
MO-DOC
Thanks for the hard work, ground crew and video team.
MO-DOC
Thanks, Boss. Nice show. Updated winds are 220 at 13. See you at the debrief, sir.
MO-DOC
Thanks, Boss. Great performance. Winds have changed to 13 knots from the southwest. I'll see you at the meeting, sir.
BOSS
Boss switching tower. Come on. Go.
BOSS
Boss is switching to the tower radio frequency. Let's go. Move now.
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