The Blue Angels

藍天使 The Blue Angels treat audiences to a spectacular air show by Pamela Osment

This weekend, the skies over Jacksonville, Fla., will roar to life as one of the nation's most famous air squadrons, the Blue Angels, flies into town. The flight demonstration team, composed of highly trained U.S. Navy and Marine Corps jet pilots, will display some of the most difficult flying techniques ever performed. Their shows include vertical rolls up to 15,000 feet. The skilled pilots also combine graceful circles with spectacular dives, amazing their crowds with incredible precision flying. For the big finish, six planes look like they lock wings as they fly 500 miles an hour, only 18 inches apart.
This weekend's show is just one of 68 air shows the Blue Angels will perform in 2010, their 64th year of exhibition.

How did they begin?
At the conclusion of WWII, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz wanted to find a way to keep the public interested in naval aviation. Based on his orders, a flight demonstration team was formed, and in June 1946, the Blue Angels performed their first air show. Since then, nearly 250 pilots have performed astonishing midair maneuvers with the group for more than 463 million fans!

What does it take to be a Blue Angels' pilot?
All pilots who wish to fly with the Blue Angels must be active-duty Navy or Marine Corps jet pilots with a minimum of 1,250 flight hours. They must be willing to travel and maintain a rigorous training schedule, including 120 training flights during the winter training season.

According to Senior Chief Petty Officer George Harris, "We're simply looking for the best and brightest young men and women in the Naval service. We want team players who are excellent communicators... have strong work ethics, and who really want to be the backbone of the Blue Angels organization." in addition to their scheduled air shows, the team visits more than 50,000 people a year at schools and hospitals.

The men and women who serve as Blue Angels take their role seriously as goodwill ambassadors for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

The maintenance team
While the pilots may be the stars, the maintenance people are the ones who keep the planes flying. Thanks to their great work, the Blue Angels have never cancelled a performance due to a maintenance problem.

Each member of the team, both on the ground and in the air, epitomizes the Blue Angels' pursuit of excellence.

More Information:
Blue Angeles Fast Facts:
The average age of a Blue Angels pilot is 33.
In 1989, Blue Angeles pilot Chunk Brady became an astronaut.
The highest Blue Angel maneuver performed is called the Opposing Solo.
The lowest maneuver is called the Sneak Pass.
The fastest speed flown during a Blue Angel air show is about 1100 KM/hr.

Grammar on the Go:
We're simply looking for the best and brightest young men and women in the Naval service.
simply-meaning is not as " easily"
simple-easy.
simply=basically, only.
We're only looking for the best and brightest young men and women in the Naval service.
Don't be nervous. It's simply a rehearsal.
the essay was unacceptable because, it was simply full of grammar mistakes.

Vocabulary Tips:
Corp/ Corps - 兵團,特種部隊"p" 不發音與"core" 同音 , 單數"s"不發音,複數"s"要發音.
*The general ordered the two Marine Corps to be combined. 將軍下令..海軍陸戰隊合併
*Mark served in the intelligence corps for over 2 years. 情治單位.
precision- 精凖,精確,凖確 precise
*The race car driver's precision driving skills impressed the entire audience.
*Doctors need to use precision instruments while performing surgery.
maneuver-巧妙的動作,或是"花式表演", 動作純熟靈活. "mane" 有"手"的意思
*With a quick maneuver of the car, the driver avoided an accident.
*The troops' smart maneuver guaranteed our victory. 靈活的調度.
rigorous-嚴謹,嚴雋的,嚴苛的.
*Rigorous computer safety procedures are conducted to protect the bank's account holders.
*The team members went through rigorous training and improved dramatically in just a few weeks.
backbone-脊椎骨,此指"重要支柱,基礎"用的是單數. 也指"力量,毅力,魄力"
*the manufacturing industry is the backbone of the country.
*Volunteers are the backbone of our organization.
*Alex has no backbone and there fore shouldn't be leading the team.
epitomize-成爲典範,成爲某個對象的縮影.
*With great vision and the ability to make good decisions, Sam epitomizes a successful entrepreneur.

Chat Room
Blue Angels-美國的特技飛行小組
angel-天使
angelic-天使般的,純真可愛的.
guardian angel-守護天使,不一定是真正的天使,也可是人,保護你照顧你的人.
saint-聖人
saintly-道德崇高的.
-----------------------------------
pilot-駕駛員
copilot-副駕駛員
navigate-導航
navigator-導航員,領航員 navigator give navigate.
autopilot-is not a person, is a machine 自動駕駛儀
cruise control-定速器....(使腳不用踩踏油門)