Starting Friday, the Blue Angels will perform dozens of precision aerobatic maneuvers over the water between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. At times, the team’s F/A-18 Hornets will fly just 50 feet above the water and at speeds approaching Mach 1 (700 mph).
During the four-jet Diamond 360 formation, the Hornets fly as close as 18 inches to one another.
Spectators can watch the San Francisco show from any number of viewpoints along the waterfront – or on the water aboard a private or charter boat. Reserved seating is also available for purchase from show organizers with tickets starting at $75 per person.
The airshow runs from noon to 4 p.m., with the Blue Angels scheduled to perform Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Other highlights include an F-35 Lightning Stealth Fighter demonstration and performances by aerobatic pilots Mike Wiskus and Sean D. Tucker. The civilian Patriots Jet Team, which includes former Blue Angels pilots, is also scheduled to appear.