Blue Angels:

The Navy Flight demonstration Squadron is now deployed to NAF El Centro, Calif., to prepare for the 1975 season. It is planning 72 air shows beginning in late March and ending in November. The Blue Angels completed their first season in the A-4F in November with a homecoming air show at NAS Pensacola, Fla. The team flew in 51 air shows last year and performed before 2,177,000.

With a dry weight (sans fuel) of 11,200 pounds and a P-408 engine with 11,200 pounds of thrust, the squadron's Skyhawks have proven to be a highly successful air show aircraft. The tighter turning radius and faster acceleration rate at sea level enable the team to stay closer to the crowd and present more maneuvers than was possible in previous aircraft.

After this season, the Blue Angels will need a new leader and two demonstration pilots. Applications for one of the wingman positions is made by letter to the commanding officer of the Flight Demonstration Squadron via the applicant'' C.O. with a copy to the Chief of Naval Personnel and the Chief of Naval Air Training. Background desired for a demonstration pilot includes a minimum of 1,500 flight hours by November 1975; on or approaching rotation to shore duty following a tour with a carrier-based jet squadron; regular Navy; career motivation; and a desire to represent the Navy before the public.

Applicants for the leader's billet should request the assignment by letter to the Chief of Naval Air Training with a copy to the Chief of Naval Personnel (Code 433) and the Commanding Officer, Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. Applicants must be a command-screened commander or lieutenant commander with a minimum of 3,500 flight hours, and must meet necessary height and weight requirements. It is highly desirable that the prospective commanding officer have already completed a tour in a command billet.