February 12, 1987, remains an indelible date etched in David Anderson's memory. Confronted with the necessity to eject from his Blue Angel F/A-18 Hornet above the unforgiving terrain of El Centro, California as his engines ceased functioning, this pivotal event would ultimately empower Anderson and the Blue Angels to institute modifications to their demonstration aircraft, thereby securing the safety of future teams.

In this interview with RADM David Anderson, USN (Ret.), we are provided with a profound insight into the challenges faced by the United States Navy's renowned Blue Angels squadron during their transition from the aging A4 Skyhawk to the formidable F/A-18 Hornet. The interview, conducted with a sense of historical significance, elaborates on the complexities encountered by the Blue Angels during this pivotal period, culminating in Admiral Anderson's dramatic ejection on February 12, 1987.

With the F-18 came a number of limitations for the Blue Angels, particularly concerning maneuvers, such as prolonged inverted flight and negative G capability. The absence of established flight clearances further exacerbated the difficulties, as the F/A-18 had never been piloted in the manner required by the Blue Angels.

Admiral Anderson, with candor and retrospection, shares the burden he placed upon himself to uphold the exacting standards of the Blue Angels' solo program, despite having no prior experience with the F/A-18. The absence of familiarity with both the aircraft and his Opposing Solo pilot, who was equally inexperienced with Blue Angel airshows, compounded the challenges faced.

On February 12, 1987, engulfed in a high-stress training exercise, Anderson found himself in an unprecedented situation as both engines of his F/A-18 flamed out. The meticulous detail with which the ejection sequence is described portrays the urgency and gravity of the situation. In a testament to his resourcefulness and composure, he expertly executed his ejection, despite the inherent complexities of an unconventional 17-foot parachute.

The narrative culminates with reflections on the invaluable support and leadership exhibited by the Blue Angels' chain of command. Admiral Anderson underscores the profound impact of this experience on his leadership philosophy and problem-solving approach throughout the remainder of his distinguished career.

Lastly, the interview provides a poignant example of how the Blue Angels adapted and evolved their techniques, from addressing the in-flight issues that led to ejection to the implementation of inverted fuel pumps, which ultimately resolved critical challenges.

Video Timestamps

0:00 F/A-18 Hornet Transition
0:47 Limitations During the Transition
1:54 Starting Winter Training of 1987
2:42 How to Recover From a Poorly Flown Maneuver
4:30 Ejection Sequence
8:28 Engine Explosion During Takeoff
10:48 Lessons Learned