Blue Angels Planning for First Full Oshkosh Appearance

May 24, 2017 - Plans are solidifying in advance of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ first full team performance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, with full demonstration times now set for Friday and Saturday, July 28-29, along with other details regarding the team’s visit to Oshkosh.

The Blue Angels will fly their full practice show on Friday, July 28, from 4-5 p.m., in the midst of that day’s afternoon air show. The Friday afternoon air show will continue following that performance, including some always-popular Heritage Flights featuring current and World War II-era aircraft. On Saturday, July 29, the Blues will fly the final act of the afternoon air show, beginning at 5 p.m. On each of those days, special crowd lines will be in effect at Wittman Regional Airport (see diagram). These crowd lines are generally similar to those in place for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Oshkosh in 2014 and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds last year.

Blue Angels team members will begin arriving in Oshkosh as early as Monday, July 24. As a unique addition to the Thursday, July 27, afternoon air show, several of the Blue Angels will make their site orientation flights over the airfield from 5-6 p.m.

Two other Blue Angel team members will be making orientation flights over the field at 10-11 a.m. on Friday, July 28, which will cause a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over Wittman Regional Airport for that one-hour period. This TFR will halt all normal AirVenture operations, including takeoffs and landings at Wittman. Pilots planning to arrive at or depart from Oshkosh on Friday morning, July 28, should include that TFR in their preflight planning.

In addition, the Blues will participate in an evening program at Theater in the Woods on Friday evening, July 28, at 7 p.m., just prior to the much-anticipated Apollo reunion program. Other Blue Angels public appearances during the week will be announced as they are finalized.