PC Gamer - March 2012

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MONI TOR

The team’s level of dedication borders on obsessive.

That’s show business It’s one thing to practice simulated aero- batic maneuvers with your friends, but it doesn’t amount to a proper Blue Angels tribute without a bona fide live air show somewhere in the mix.

A single hiccup can spell disaster when you fly this close. Hey dude, what was your ping reading again?

Believe it or not, there are six internet-connected pilots performing this signature Blue Angels Delta Roll.

Blue Angel #5 performs a 700-knot low-altitude Sneak Pass to jazz up the crowd.

It’s called a Double Farvel and hamfisted pilots better not try it.

when you throw in the prospect of internet lag as a deadly showstopper.

“There has been a close shave here and there, but with online flying there is always the chance of a warp or lag causing one or more of the jets to suddenly move in one direction or another,” says Tyler. “We have definitely seen that from time to time.” Eliminating lag is one of the key reasons the team selected Flaming Cliffs 2 as their sim platform.

“Lock On is great since the netcode is very
well done,” Tyler continues. “We can have
six aircraft in the air at the same time with
very little lag. We have tried every other
simulator available, but since we need to fly
the minimum 18-inch wingtip-to-canopy
separation (as seen in the Diamond 360
maneuver), we have found Flaming Cliffs 2
to be the sim of choice for keeping all our
jets stable enough to achieve this.”

Keeping up the flight
The Virtual Blue Angels don’t actively seek
out new members. But, when they do, the
entry criteria are rigorous and very
specific. “To become a regular VBA team
member is a process unto itself, and most
folks think they need ace flying skills even
to be considered,” explains Tyler. “What
we are really looking for are folks that can
interact well with the other team members,
and add to a positive atmosphere. We will
teach new members the stick-and-rudder
skills they need, because several of the
techniques that are used for combat flying
don’t translate all that well to smooth
formation flying.”
All of this takes a level of skill and
dedication that transcends hobby. In fact,
the last team member to leave the group
was Jonathan “Harm” Jackson who moved
on to the U. S. Naval Academy and hopes to
fly real jets for the Navy in the future. I
suspect he’ll do well at it. n