Why Does One Jet Always Fly Behind The Blue Angels?

If you or someone close to you has any level of enthusiasm for aviation, chances are you’re familiar with the Blue Angels – at least in name, if nothing else. They’re an elite flying team and crew known for their very precise (and dangerous) maneuvers that have been entertaining at airshows for decades, though the Blue Angels themselves don’t see war. In that time, they’ve utilized a variety of different aircraft over the years — most recently the F/A-18 Hornet, one of the best fighter jets in the world.

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Seeing them in action and in photos, though, one thing, other than the nail-biting aerial acrobatics, might stand out: There are typically six jets flying in tight formation, whether in-person at an airshow or in one of the millions of amateur and professional photos of the team in flight. So, what’s with the seventh one that sometimes hangs out on the periphery?

That seventh Blue Angel serves a very important purpose. Well, technically, it has several different functions depending on the situation. Blue Angel number 7 (as well as the pilot) can act as a backup if needed, and the number 7 pilot traditionally plays the part of a show’s announcer throughout the season. The number 7 jet is also a community and media liaison, of sorts, allowing either a credentialed media representative or a “Key Influencer” (someone chosen to help with potential recruiting in their area) to take a ride in the iconic aircraft.

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The seventh Blue Angel often carries a photographer as well (when not being used to fly media and influencers around), which is where many of those aerial shots of the team in formation tend to come from. But most importantly, it acts as a spotter to better keep an eye on the other six jets in formation and during flight maneuvers.

As skilled and well-trained as the team might be, having the added safety of an extra pair of eyes at a different vantage point is still a necessary precaution. Particularly when these jets can get as close as 18-inches apart while in flight.