Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

CINSAL International Airshow 2019

Welcome to the CinSal International Airshow 2019!
Two days of aeronautical displays at CinSal International Airport, Agrippa, featuring four military and one civilian demonstration teams, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps in SL recruitment stands and air parades.

Taking place on September 7 and 8, the airshow starts at 12:00 SLT (noon) and as usual we recommend arriving early to get to your audience locations ahead of the start. To make sure you make the most of the event, you can enjoy the AIR PARADE as you go through the squadrons static displays and Navy and Marines stands. Be sure to make way to the audience locations before 13:00 SLT (1 pm) at which time the first aerial demonstration starts.

CINSAL INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2019

Cinsal Airport

Agrippa - Nautilus

September 7 and 8, 2019

The Air Show will start at 12:00 hours SLT on Saturday, September 7th and Sunday, September 8.

Audience sites:

Agrippa - CinSal Airport - USE THIS SLUR!

MacDuff - USS Defiant - USE THIS SLUR!

Publius - Free Standing - USE THIS SLUR!

Air Parade Departure Site:

Boing - Angels International Airport and Harbor (SLAN) - USE THIS SLUR!

Air Show regions:

Team Phoenix - Regan

Blue Angels - Hortensio / Regan

Patrouille de France - Regan

Smoke Squadron - Regan

Red Arrows - Agrippa / Regan

DEMONSTRATION TEAMS

U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France en SL
RAF Red Arrows
FAB Smoke Squadron
Team Phoenix

Aircraft, Pilots and Crew

TEAM PHOENIX
Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk
Phoenix 1 - Mr Pilot (aviator747)
Phoenix 2 - Destiny Bellarosa (destiny0000)
Phoenix 3 - Diana266
Phoenix 4 - Bambi Baxter (biffbottom)

BLUE ANGELS - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Aircraft: Boeing F/A-18C Hornet
Angel 1 - CAPT. Vickster "Speed" Kühn - Flight Leader
Angel 2 - LCDR. Chardy "Hinch" Oaks - Right Wing
Angel 3 - LT. Matter "Hawk" Blueskind - Left Wing
"Missing Man"
Slot
Angel 5 - CDR. Jenny "QB" Kaz - Lead Solo
Angel 6 - CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron - Opposing Solo / Narrator

PAF - Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France en SL
Aircraft: Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet E
Athos 1 - LCL Mara Klaber (Leader)
Athos 2 - CNL Rhea Thor (Intérieur Droit) (Pafsl Group Leader)
Athos 3 - CDT Gwenblonde (Intérieur Gauche)
Athos 5 - CPT Tidus10 (Exterieur Gauche)
Athos 6 - LCL Paterne Lefavre (Exterieur Droite)

RED ARROWS - Royal Air Force Red Arows
BAE Hawk
#1 - SQD LDR Dean "Teddy Bear" de Garcia - Leader
#2 - Fight Leftenant Jim kat - Right Wing
#3 - Flight Officer Steve O'Keefe - Left Wing

SMOKE SQUADRON - FAB (Brazilian Air Force)
Embraer 314 Super Tucano
#1 Lt Brig Marco Antonio
#2 Air Marshal Felipe Ferraris
#3 Lt Col Sonia Bulmer
#4 Asp Aaron M. Von Kiest
Ground Staff:
#1 Asp Chory Foxtrot
#2 Asp Ty Matianak


DAY ONE PROGRAM - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2019
All times are SLT (US Pacific Time)

11:30 am - Gates open
For the early birds, a chance to get the best seats and wander around the demo squadron area where the demonstration teams have their aircraft on static display.

12:00 (noon) - Opening parade
An air parade with aircraft from all corners of Second Life whose pilots wish to mark the occasion.

12:45 (12:45 pm) - Team areas close to the public
All visitors must make way to the audience locations.

13:00 (1 pm) - Patrouille de France en SL

14:00 (2 pm) - U.S. Navy Blue Angel

15:00 (3 pm) - Team Phoenix aerial demonstration

16:00 (4 pm) - R.A.F. Red Arrows

17:00 (5 pm) - F.A.B. Smoke Squadron


DAY TWO PROGRAM - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019
All times are SLT (US Pacific Time)

11:30 am - Gates open
For the early birds, a chance to get the best seats and wander around the demo squadron area where the demonstration teams have their aircraft on static display.

12:00 (noon) - Opening parade
An air parade with aircraft from all corners of Second Life whose pilots wish to mark the occasion.

12:45 (12:45 pm) - Team areas close to the public
All visitors must make way to the audience locations.

13:00 (1 pm) - F.A.B. Smoke Squadron

14:00 (2 pm) - U.S. Navy Blue Angel

15:00 (3 pm) - R.A.F. Red Arrows


After the end of the last aerial demonstration the airport will be accessible to the public on both days at all locations outside the audience areas and the participating aircraft will remain on static display for a closer look!
Enjoy the air show!

CAPT. Asra Kron
 

ID4 2019

Details available here SOON!

 
Since 2016 the Blue Angels have had the unique privilege of demonstrating to the Second Life public the precision techniques of Naval Aviation, hoping to inspire a culture of excellence and service to country. We are honored to return to Cinsal Airport for the fourth consecutive year and fly the third consecutive Independence Day Air Show at Agrippa (ID4 2019).
For this year's edition we will be joined by two air demonstration teams: the Patrouille de France en SL (PAFsl) and Team Phoenix! Below you will find the squadron composition for each team and the Air Show program.

INDEPENDENCE DAY AIR SHOW ( ID4 )
Cinsal Airport
Agrippa - Nautilus
July 4, 2019

The Air Show will start at 08:30 hours SLT on Thursday, July 4th.

Audience sites:
Agrippa - CinSal Airport - USE THIS SLUR!
MacDuff - USS Defiant - USE THIS SLUR!
Tamora - USS Dauntless - USE THIS SLUR!

Air Parade Departure Site:
Boing - Angels International Airport and Harbor (SLAN) - USE THIS SLUR!

Air Show regions:
Team Phoenix - Regan
Blue Angels - Hortensio / Regan
Patrouille de France - Regan 
 

Audience areas are on the Southeast corner of Agrippa, CinSal Airport (20 seats) and on MacDuff sim on a USN Third Fleet frigate, the USS Defiant (36 seats). Please stay out of the circuit sims described in the show layout below. If you choose to watch the show from a private vessel at sea, proceed to one of the neighboring sims. Local airport personnel and Liberty Fire Department personnel will be on hand to help you find the best seat from where to watch the show. They will have landmarks and other information available on site.

The ID4 2017 Air Show celebrates the Independence Day in the United States and the SL United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels take to the skies for the fourth year for this momentous occasion. We are honored this year once again by the presence of the French Armée de l'Air aerobatic squadron Patrouille de France (PAF), present the last two editions of the ID4 Air Show, and Team Phoenix, flying at home at CinSal Airport where they are based. Team Phoenix flies the McDonnel Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk dual seat. The PAFsl flies Dassault-Dornier Alphajet E and this year they sport the 2017 American Tour color scheme. The Blue Angels fly the Boeing F/A- 18C single seat, the Boeing F/A- 18D dual seat (number 7) and the Lockheed C-130J "Fat Albert".
For this occasion, Team Phoenix and PAFsl are bringing four aircraft each and the Blue Angels five jet aircraft and the support aircraft. Here are the selected pilots from both squadrons:

DEMONSTRATION TEAMS

Team Phoenix
U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France en SL

Aircraft, Pilots and Crew

TEAM PHOENIX
Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk
Phoenix 1 - Mr Pilot (aviator747)
Phoenix 2 - Destiny Bellarosa (destiny0000)
Phoenix 3 - Diana266
Phoenix 4 - Bambi Baxter (biffbottom)

BLUE ANGEL #7 - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Aircraft: Boeing F/A-18D Hornet
Angel 7 - CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron

BLUE ANGELS jet team - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Aircraft: Boeing F/A-18C Hornet
Angel 1 - CAPT. Vickster "Speed" Kühn
Flight Leader
Angel 2 - LCDR. Chardy "Hinch" Oaks
Right Wing
Angel 3 - CDR. Dominique "Alba" van Dongen 
Left Wing
Angel 4 - CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
Slot / Opposing Solo / Narrator
Angel 5 - CDR. Jenny "QB" Kaz 
Lead Solo
 
BLUE ANGELS Fat Albert Airlines - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Aircraft: Lockheed C-130T Hercules "Fat Albert"
Angel 8 - CDR. Dominique "Alba" van Dongen
Fat Albert Airlines pilot / Alternate Narrator

PAF - Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France en SL
Aircraft: Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet E
Athos 1 - LCL Mara Klaber (Leader)
Athos 2 - CNL Rhea Thor (Intérieur Droit) (Pafsl Group Leader)
Athos 3 - CDT Gwenblonde (Intérieur Gauche)
Athos 4 - CPT Tidus10 (Charognard)
Athos 9 - LCL Paterne Lefavre (stand by pilot)


ID4 2019 PROGRAM - JULY 4, 2019
All times are SLT (US Pacific Time)

08:00 am - Gates open
For the early birds, a chance to get the best seats and wander around the demo squadron area where the demonstration teams have their aircraft on static display.

08:30 am - Opening parade
An air parade with aircraft from all corners of Second Life whose pilots wish to mark the occasion, closed by the historic USN Sea King "Old 66" flying a large Stars and Stripes! The "Old 66" will land by the USN Blue Angels team area and will remain in static display.

09:00 am - Team areas close to the public
All visitors must make way to the audience locations. 

09:10 am - U.S. Navy Blue Angels VIP Ride
One special guest will board Blue Angel number 7 for a ride, in which several maneuvers performed by the squadron are executed.

10:00 am - Team Phoenix aerial demonstration
A demo squadron with a long tradition in the skies of Second Life, the flamed TA-4J Skyhawks will take to the skies for another great display of skill and precision.

10:45 am - U.S. Navy Blue Angels Fat Albert Airlines
Although grounded at the moment in real life, in Second Life the Blue Angels are proud to present the aerial demonstration performed by their support aircraft, the C-130J Hercules affectionately known as "Fat Albert".

11:15 am - U.S. Navy Blue Angels Jet Team
The SL United States Navy Demonstration Team Blue Angels will take their F/A-18C's to the skies on their third consecutive Independence Day Air Show at Cinsal Airport.

01:00 pm - Patrouille de France en SL
Returning to Agrippa to once more participate in our Independence Day celebrations, the French pilots of the Patrouille de France will grace us with one of the most spectacular aerial demonstrations in Second Life!

After the end of the last aerial demonstration the airport will be accessible to the public at all locations outside the audience areas and the participating aircraft will remain on static display for a closer look!

Enjoy the air show and happy Independence Day!

CAPT. Asra Kron
U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels - Angel 7

 

 

Setback. Pause. Play.

And the Blues play on...

Crap happens, as we all are well aware, and when it does all you can do is brace for impact and hope for the best. That's what happened to me, in a nutshell. I knew that, eventually, I would come back - and those of you who really know me pretty much knew it too - and here I am.

Adding to the downward spiral that my real life became late 2018 and early this year, the total loss of Naval Air Facility El Centro and the six sim setup I created hit me a lot harder than I could have imagined. Throughout my thirteen years in Second Life I developed a thick skin. I owned a few regions, spent thousands of hours creating true to life environments, lived in them, called them home... and lost them. As time went by the expression "they are just prims" became adequate and exact, I would shrug and move on to the next project but... Not this time.
Some day I will post here the El Centro history so at least it will live on as a record of what was and is no more. So we remember. And then came the demise of my beloved Miramar.

Naval Air Station Miramar was thought by many to be one of the top tier military installations of its kind in Second Life, among very few others. For nearly three years it stood tall and proud as a symbol of the United States Navy in this virtual world we live in. A true home to many and a familiar sight to countless others who flew to and from it over the years. Nearly 24,000 flights in NAS Miramar's history are a testament to this fact. The last flight out of Miramar was a JAS-39, taking off from runway 18L at 23:43 hours on December 12, 2018. And then it went dark.

I would like to take a moment here to thank my sisters in arms and friends Vickster Kühn, An Rainbow, Jenny Kaz and Margot Fenring along many many others who supported NAS Miramar when it became rough for me to hold it on my own. I owe them all a debt that can not be repaid.

Losing El Centro was hard. But the loss of Miramar was one of the most impactful setbacks I endured in the last 13 years in Second Life. Putting the two losses together with the turmoil my real life had become made me come to a halt. And think it over. Little by little, I started to come back in world as my life and state of mind allowed... And now, as we near the fourth Independence Day Air Show performed by the Blue Angels, on their fourth consecutive year of aerial demonstrations in Second Life, I can say I am back. Not as I would like to, but as I can be. My focus in our esteemed Third Fleet is on the Demonstration Squadron, of which I remain Angel 7. As for my place in the Fleet's command, due to my present condition and current inability to rebuild NAS Miramar (which I will), I stepped down from the Trident, being replaced by a fine officer, Commander Chrissy Dehner, that along with Captain Vickster Kühn and Commander An Rainbow will continue to provide leadership to Third Fleet.

So... After a long pause, it was time to hit play. And so it begins again.
Thank you for waiting.

Captain Asra "Cougar" Kron
NFDT / Angel 7

NAF El Centro Inauguration

Starting at 10:45 hours this day (10:45 am SLT) we invite all to the transfer of the Navy Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels winter training facility from NAF Eagles Nest where it was for the past 3 years to NAF El Centro. The new facility is inspired by real life Naval Air Facility El Centro, which in fact is the Blues winter training place and also home of the Navy Joint Strike Command with a desert bombing range. The new facility and range are spread through 4 sims, two as the facility itself and two as the desert range. As all Third Fleet installations we are open to all aviation lovers in Second Life, provided a few local rules are observed. 

United States Navy Third Fleet Command SL 2018

Corsica International Air Show 2018

Since 2016 the Blue Angels have had the unique privilege of demonstrating to the Second Life public the precision techniques of Naval Aviation, hoping to inspire a culture of excellence and service to country. We are honored to make a quick detour from our FIRST SECOND WORLD TOUR in progress and jump to Corsica from France where we currently are located for this unprecedented Blue Angels event (see here for the first stop of the BLUE ANGELS FIRST SECOND WORLD TOUR!). 

The CORSICA INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW is part of the Cannery Cove grand opening and this program is air show centered. For complete details of all that is happening at Cannery Cove for the grand opening please contact Tealcie Annibles! ( Profile here! )

CORSICA INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW ( CIAS )
Corsica International Airport (SLCI)
Xobite / Malrif - Corsica
July 21 and 22, 2018

DEMONSTRATION TEAMS

Anemone Wing Walking Team
Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France en SL
Hawks Aerobatic Team
U.S. Navy Blue Angels

Aircraft, Pilots and Crew

AWW - Anemone Wing Walking Team 
Aircraft: WACO YMF-5
Pilots: Mr Pilot Sinn / Destiny Bellarosa
Wing Walkers: Diana266 / Flora Fraina

HAWKS - Hawks Aerobatic Team
Aircraft: B.A.E. Hawk
Pilots: Johnny Numberfive / Blueskind / Kara Petrovic / Mila Kowalski / Cartor94 / Romy Writer / Lukeflywalker Fittinger

PAF - Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France en SL
Aircraft: Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet E
Athos 1 - Lieutenant-Colonel Mara Klaber - Leader
Athos 2 - Capitaine Ariel Ramyss - Intérieur Droit
Athos 3 - Capitaine Tidus - Intérieur Gauche
Athos 4 - Colonel Rhea Thor - Charognard

BLUE ANGELS #7 - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Aircraft: Boeing F/A-18D Hornet
Angel 7 - CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron

BLUE ANGELS jet team - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Aircraft: Boeing F/A-18C Hornet
Angel 1 - CAPT. Vickster "Speed" Kühn
Flight Leader
Angel 2 - CDR. An "Mistell" Rainbow
Right Wing / Opposing Solo
Angel 3 - LCDR. Jenny "QB" Kaz
Left Wing / Lead Solo
Angel 4 - CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
Slot / Narrator

BLUE ANGELS Fat Albert Airlines - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Aircraft: Lockheed C-130T Hercules "Fat Albert"
Angel 8 - Major Dominique "Alba" van Dongen
Fat Albert Airlines pilot / Alternate Narrator

TWO DAY PROGRAM

SCHEDULE
DAY ONE - Saturday, July 21

Start 10:00 hours (10:00 am) - End 22:00 hours (10:00 pm) 

Open House day - all areas accessible. 

PUBLIC ACCESS TEAM AREAS LOCATIONS ON DAY ONE ONLY

Anemone Wing Walking Team ( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )

Hawks Aerobatic Team ( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )

Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France en SL ( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )

Navy Flight Demonstration Team The Blue Angels ( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )


Day One Events:
 
A
Static display of all the aircraft involved in the air show with fly ins by airlines and helicopter rides around the SLCI perimeter (air show level - 350 meters alt).

B
Press conferences held by the demonstration teams at their assigned SLCI locations at scheduled times. This initiative is optional - Teams can skip the press conferences if they wish. Scheduled press conferences show below.

Anemone Wing Walking Team Press Conference Times
- 16:00 hours (04:00 pm)
Location of the AWW Press Conference Area: ( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )

Patrouille de France en SL Press Conference Times
- 13:00 hours (01:00 pm) 
Location of the PAF Press Conference Area: ( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )
 
Blue Angels Press Conference Times
- 12:00 hours (noon)
- 15:00 hours (03:00 pm)
- 18:00 hours (06:00 pm)
 Location of the Blue Angels Press Conference Area: ( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )
 
C
Fly in display of interesting aircraft open to all.
Happening at the GTFO level of SLCI (below the air show level) during all day one hours.

D
Pre-Show Party at SLCI starting at 19:00 hours (07:00 pm)
Party will take place in the Glass Terminal - passenger terminal - at SLCI, Marlif sim. Fireworks provided by Chris Azrikam, Roleplay & Rides owner.

Party area location ( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )

SCHEDULE
DAY TWO - Sunday, July 22

 Start 10:30 hours (10:00 am) - End 18:00 hours (06:00 pm)

Please arrive early and use the AUDIENCE assigned locations! 

Day Two Events:

10:30 hours (10:30 am)
U.S. Navy Blue Angels #7 VIP Ride
Centerpoint - Rooney w/ incursions into Xobite

11:00 hours (11:00 am)
Anemone Wing Walking Team
Centerpoint - Rooney w/ incursions into Xobite

11:45 hours (11:45 am)
U.S. Navy Blue Angels Fat Albert Airlines
Centerpoint - Rooney w/ incursions into Xobite

12:15 hours (12:15 pm)
U.S. Navy Blue Angels Jet Team
Centerpoint - Rooney

13:10 hours (01:10 pm)
Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France en SL
Centerpoint - Rooney

14:10 hours (02:10 pm)
Hawks Aerobatic Team
Centerpoint - Rooney

15:10 hours (03:10 pm)
Air show ends.

15:30 hours (03:30 pm)
After show party with LIVE concert.
16:00 hours (04:00 pm) Lexus Melodie sings live.

Concert location: Cannery Cove Town Square ( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )

AUDIENCE LOCATIONS FOR DAY TWO

MALRIF
( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )

XOBITE
( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )

McRITCHIE (off SLCI open water) - ONLY on DAY TWO
U.S.Navy Self-Sustained Platform U.S.S. Hoover
( CLICK HERE FOR SLUR! )

 

  
CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
Blue Angel #7
UNITED STATES NAVY BLUE ANGELS 2018

The Barry Foehammer Building

This July 8th at Naval Air Facility Eagles Nest, a long time planned ceremony took place. The Navy Flight Demonstration Team commanding officer and executive officer had been waiting to make the naming of NAFEN's main building a reality since its interior was completed some months ago.

NAF Eagles Nest is the training facility of the USN Blue Angels in SL and it is for them what NAF El Centro is for the real life Blues - just as NAS Miramar in Second Life is for the demo team like real life NAS Pensacola. This is where the Blues were established first, back in 2015, and since then the support and generosity of Barry Foehammer, the region's owner, has been paramount for the lasting presence of the squadron in the region that is named after the real life Blue Angels.

It was decided that these years of unwavering support and hardship deserved enduring recognition not only in words and awards, and indeed Commodore Foehammer has been awarded the title of Blue Angels "Booster" for his outstanding commitment to the squadron, but also in a more lasting and visible way that would pay tribute to his contribution every day and for all to see. Hence the naming of the main building in the facility "Commodore Barry Foehammer Building".

The Commodore was of course invited to the ceremony and here remains the public record of the day along with a short visual description of the building and its multiple purposes. As usual, click on the images to enlarge.

The Commodore arrives at NAF Eagles Nest to see his name on the main building ID wall. CAPT. Vickster Kühn, NAFENCO and the Blue Angels Boss, CAPT. Asra Kron, the squadron XO and Blue Angel 7, and LCDR. Jenny Kaz, the Blues Lead Solo, were present to dedicate the naming.

The Commodore looks back at LCDR. Kaz with a big smile on his face. Recognition sometimes comes way too late and sometimes fails but the Blues made a point of ensuring this time it came true and in good time, after just a few months since the main building was finalized and operational.

The ground floor of the building is where the "flying chairs" are. Intended for rundowns of demo pass lists and other special briefings, this area also provides a more relaxed setting for meetings and local official events. It is as well the place where the awards presented to the squadron are displayed.

Another view of the ground floor open space. Visible on the background are the North access, the elevator and the XO desk.

The XO's desk on the ground floor near the North door, surrounded by a selection of posters from demos the Blue Angels participated in during past Seasons. The poster on the wall behind the desk is a real life Blue Angels Homecoming edition.

The second floor just out of the elevator, the Boss' office. CAPT. Kühn's desk is sided by the Navy and USMC colors and the walls are decked with Blues and personal mementos of a long and distinguished career as an aviator.

The CO's desk from another angle, showing the elevator and the doors to the auditorium. Every inch of the building was optimized for functionality and is put to good use.

The inside of the Roy Marlin Voris Auditorium. This is the official setting for most Blue Angels ceremonies and the location of choice for special briefings, awards and other functions.

The big screen in the auditorium where the Blues view not only the available footage of their practices and demos, but especially real life reels of the squadron in action. The team's demos are based on the real Blue Angels playbook and seeing them on the big screen is part of the training protocol.

CAPT. Asra Kron
Blue Angel 7 / NFDTXO

The First Marine in Blue and Gold

On July 1st of this year, United States Marine Corps Major Alba van Dongen, call sign "Alba", received her orders from Third Fleet command for a tour with the Navy Flight Demonstration Team as number 8 and Fat Albert Airlines captain, after a unanimous vote by all squadron members accepting her as a Blue, thus ending the Major's internship with the team.

The orders came in time for her to pilot Fat Albert in its first official flight demo appearance during this year's Independence Day Air Show (ID4 - see here!). Fat Albert has flown in support of the squadron before and appeared many times in static display during past demo seasons, but the squadron was waiting for a Marine to come forward and take on the responsibility of lifting Fat Albert Airlines off the ground as part of their demonstration layout. Well, the wait is over.

Alba receives her certificate as Angel 8 for the 2018 Season at NAFEN.

Cougar, Mistell, Speed, QB, Alba and Commodore Foehammer.

On this eight day of July, Major van Dongen received the orders officially at the Roy Marlin Voris auditorium, in the Barry Foehammer building at Naval Air Facility Eagles Nest (on the very day the building was officially named after Commodore Foehammer! - see here!). Gathered for the occasion were the active Blue Angels who welcomed her aboard with the traditional "Welcome to the team, asshole!" which Alba has been waiting to hear for a while now, and Commodore Barry Foehammer, who witnessed the customary simple but meaningful ceremony. Major van Dongen's internship, though impacted by her real life and taken aback unnecessarily by unforeseen circumstances, was taken seriously and in tandem with her other obligations as a Marine commanding officer of Third Fleet, and she pulled through all the obstacles in her way with a smile on her lips and staunch resolve. She is a credit to the Corps and a true asset to the Blues and the Fleet.

The certificate with the coveted Blue Angels cases given to Alba on this day.

As Blue Angel 8, Major van Dongen will assist with logistics and internship, particularly of ground crew members and, of course, Fat Albert Airlines crew. She will also assist as alternate Narrator during demonstrations and ground/event coordinator.
Good job pulling through the internship as you did, Major. You have the right to get your coffee brought to you now, so watch out for those pesky interns. Semper Fi.

CAPT. Asra Kron
Blue Angel 7 / NFDTXO / TFCOM

Pushing the Envelope

An open letter from Blue Angel 7.

On the eve of our third Independence Day Air Show, I came to realize how far we have come as a squadron and why we managed to get here. Each year we are presented new challenges and at each turn we fight the demons that live in the clouds as much as those living in our souls. How each of us handles that reality and keeps pushing the envelope to the extent our lives and limitations allow it is what defines us as mirrors of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron in Second Life.

Here we are again, standing tall and humbled by those who like ourselves fly the skies of this virtual world in ways most people never will, pressing on at each practice and demonstration to achieve what lies ahead seemingly in our reach but yet unreachable: the perfect demo.

In ways that resemble real life aerobatic flight more than you'd expect, we go up every time facing many adverse factors that range from our physical and mental shape, the state our aircraft is in and this virtual world's conditions - that we call "weather" in jest. And Second Life has some nasty weather as you well know. But we keep going up again and again and that's part of the envelope we choose to push, just as our own limits are. So add all these factors up and you understand being a demo pilot is not for everyone. Now, on top of all that, add the fact that we as Blue Angels represent the finest naval aviation squadron in the United States Navy.

Any real life naval aviator who had the privilege of flying a blue and gold jet will tell you that the Blue Angels is one of the most democratic units in the military, due to its exclusive nature and the close bonds that exist among their pilots and crew. But they will also tell you that the time they spent with the Blues was perhaps the hardest in their military careers, albeit the most rewarding and exciting period in them. In Second Life, we proudly follow that tradition and stay true to the Blue Angels (and U.S. Navy) values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. This simply means that we carry ourselves as a naval officer would while enduring all the challenges our choice brings with it.

The success rate of a Blue Angels candidate in our squadron is 20%. Out of every 10 candidates, only 2 make it past internship and the first year as a newbie with the demo team. They all know what is expected of them and what the conditions are - there are no surprises. All the veteran Blues in the squadron have been flying under those exact same conditions for years and any of them can tell you that as far as the squadron is concerned we remain the same. The same in our way of portraying a Blue Angels demo pilot, the same in our way of tackling the obstacles that come before us and the same as individuals. Through the years we became a very tight group, and to become a part of it is one of the many hurdles a Blues candidate has to overcome, and after internship, when all of the commissioned Blue Angels vote to let someone in, that hurdle is often still to be faced.

Under these circumstances it was no surprise to me that in a period of practically 30 days, recently, two interns and two newbies decided to resign from the squadron. I was however, disappointed. It always hurts to see someone give up after all the work and effort you put into helping him or her, but it is thanks to that process that we keep our standards as high as they are. And when you keep standards high, chances are some will drop out when they realize they are not getting any lower. It is just a fact of life, even if second life.

I am very proud of my fellow virtual naval aviators in the Navy Flight Demonstration Team, veterans and newbies, and to the best of my abilities will keep on working with them to make us better each day, just as they do. And in doing so, I sincerely hope that we can carry on this great tradition and remain the ambassadors of the United States Navy in this virtual world, much like the true Blues do in the real one. It has been my honor and privilege to be one of the keepers of this flame for the last two and a half years. May it shine ever bright in the ones to come.

Go Navy! Go Blues!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
Blue Angel #7 / NFDTXO
  

ID4 Air Show 2018

COMPLETE LAYOUT AND LINE UPS HERE!

The 2018 Independence Day Air Show is almost here!
ID4 2018 will take place at CinSal International Airport, Agrippa, where it was held last year. The first ID4 Air Show took place at the now gone Tuarua Fiji International Airport, Maho Beach, in 2016 (see here!). For this third edition the SL Patrouille de France and the Anemone Wing Walking team join Second Life's United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels for two days of excitement and fun!

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels in SL have been the ambassadors of the United States Navy in this virtual world since 2016 and have taken their aerial demonstration across the grid to inspire audiences to both the art of flying and the United States Navy, just as the real Blues do in real life. The mission of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team in Second Life is to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.

The Armée de l'Air in SL Patrouille de France is the longest standing aerobatic team in Second Life, their aerial demonstrations are a tribute to the real PAF and their skill and commitment are outstanding, marveling audiences all over the grid since 2009. They have participated in several air shows alongside the Blue Angels and they rejoin the ID4 celebrations again this year. For last year's edition check this page! (click on the link)

Anemone Wing Walking is a wing walking performance and training team. The group is not only intended for its team members, but also for all other wing walking performers and enthusiasts. Anemone Wing Walking activities include performing shows, training of wing walkers and pilots, while also providing personal wing walking experiences. They are based out of Fiji Islands Airport, in Tuarua Fiji, and join the 4th of July air show for the first time this year!

Complete layouts to follow! Stay tuned!

COMPLETE LAYOUT AND LINE UPS HERE!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
Blue Angel #7, NFDTXO

SL15B

The Blue Angels join Second Life's 15th Birthday (SL15B) celebrations and we have set up a small stand in the Stupendous region, where several aerobatic teams are also represented.
The event runs from June 17 to 24 but from June 25 to 30 the exhibit stays open for viewing only. June 17 at noon SL15B opens. June 23 - official 15th Birthday.
Come visit us and enjoy the expo. Happy Birthday, Second Life!

SLUR: Click here to go!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO / TFCOM

Luxor Blue Angels Airshow 2018

Welcome to the Luxor International Airport Air Show, March 31, 2018.

Participating squadrons and schedule:

Navy Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels - 12:00 SLT (noon)

Bull Rock Hornets - 13:00 SLT

Phoenix Aerobatic Team - 14:00 SLT

AUDIENCE SLURS

Luxor International Audience (limited audience please check with local officials)

CLICK HERE!

Marine Corps Base Quantico (Tkachiev)

CLICK HERE!

USS Defiant (Maxwell)

CLICK HERE!

Blue Angels Demo Layout:

FORMATION AND SOLOS

Sapas < Nepthys < Muta < Mentha
Lanig > Maxwell > MELIA > Abeona

DEMO SIM: MELIA
Base sim: Tseshkovsky (Luxor)
Bingo: Aleksandr Intl Airport - Svidler

SHOW ALTITUDES:
Demo - 75/85 meters
Waiting - 120/130 meters
Ceiling - 140 meters - DROP
Deck - 70 meters - PULL UP

Luxor alt - 65 meters

* TAKE OFF - FORMATION - 36
Arrow (reversed) 2-1-3
Arrow - smoke on
Half Cuban 8 - smoke on

* TAKE OFF - SOLOS - 36
5 up dirty roll on take off
6 up vertical pull

>>> PASS ONE

* ARROW
360 Pass - smoke on

** SOLOS
Opposing horizontal roll - smoke on


>>> PASS TWO

* ARROW
In-formation aileron roll - no smoke

** Solos
Section high alpha pass - smoke on


>>> PASS THREE

* ARROW
Dirty loop - smoke on


** SOLOS
Fortus - no smoke


>>> PASS FOUR

* ARROW
Single Farvel - no smoke

** SOLOS
Tuck away cross - smoke on


>>> PASS FIVE

* ARROW to ECHELON LEFT 3
Echelon left 3 parade pass - smoke on *
* Possible Tuck Under Break

** SOLOS
High Speed Roll - smoke on
Opposing Solo joins the Diamond after this pass to pass six


>>> PASS SIX

* ECHELON LEFT 3 to DIAMOND
Diamond parade pass - smoke on

** Solos
Solo Leader sneak pass

>>> PASS SEVEN

* DIAMOND
Diamond Loop - smoke on

** SOLOS
Solo Leader free style


>>> PASS EIGHT

* DIAMOND
Diamond Star Burst reforming to Echelon right 5 - smoke on

**
Solo Leader joins after

>>> PASS NINE

* ECHELON RIGHT 5
From Echelon Right 5 formation with smoke on (Melia)
Carrier break 180  from ABEONA and East may extend to Theia


LANDING

Armée de l'Air: French Air Power in Second Life

EPAA 20.300/312 (Equipe de Présentation de l'Armée de l'Air 20.300 et 20.312) aka the Patrouille de France in Second Life is the Armée de l'Air ambassador squadron and together with training squadron GE 314 (Groupement-École 314 "Christian Martel") share BA 701 as their home. Recently, the squadrons were relocated near Paris and got a small overseas base with open skies practice characteristics at Gordon Regional Airport in the small Sharp Continent.

Base Aeriénne 701 Salon-De-Provence is now, in Second Life, located very near Paris! The layout is exactly the same as it was for the last years and in one region manages to recreate the atmosphere of the real life BA 710: the academy building, the hangars, the gardens, the tarmac and runway... all the elements found in the real life air base and school are present and, in a nutshell, remind us of it in a very clever and emotional way. A reference in Second Life's aviation history.

Click on the images to enlarge.

BA 701 Salon-De-Provence. Tout-prés de Paris en SL! February, 2018.

One of the older Alpha Jets on display by the EPAA fallen heroes monument.

The Alphas lined up on the apron at the previous BA 701. August 2017.

Close up of the EPAA memorial. Lest we forget.

Full line up at Salon during the 2017 American Tour season! Things of beauty.

One of GE 314 Alphas captured during the Daystar International Air Show 2017.

A PAF Alpha Jet in the maintenance hangar at Gordon's. 01/30/2018.

CAPT. Asra Kron and Lcl. Paterne Lefavre at Gordon's. 01/30/2018.

A rare moment and honor. Cougar with all the squadron at Gordon's. 02/15/2018.

I was privileged to be invited to a rare occasion (documented above) at Gordon's, where the Patrouille de France en SL has their open skies base. On February 15, the squadron assembled there for the official team photo and I had the honor to take a photo with them during the session. A once in a lifetime moment. On that photo, from left to right, Lt. Chipoune, Cne. Patoulou, Lt. Tidus, Lt. Ariel, Lt. Jeremie Hottaling (Jenny), Col. Rhea Thor, yours truly "Cougar", Cdt. Aethalia Malies, Lcl. Mara Klaber, Cne. T'Sar Kanto, Lcl. Paterne Lefavre, Cdt. Gwenblonde and Cdt. Myrisse Loon. Oh happy day!

To all my friends at BA 701 best wishes for the 2018 Season. We will meet in the great blue sky and under it as well. Merci bien, de tout mon coeur!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
Angel 7

SLURs to the Air Bases of the Armée de l'Air in Second life:
To BA 701 Salon-De-Provence - SLUR here!
To Gordon Regional Airport - SLUR here!

The Wild Blue Yonder! SL USAF Thunderbirds

The tricolor Falcons in their hangar at CinSal. Home of the T-Birds.

After a wrong foot start, the USAF Thunderbirds are back in Second Life with a more solid structure and a purposeful leadership that may in time lead to the establishment of the United States Air Force modern day counterpart in SL, but will certainly represent the Air Force from the get go in no uncertain terms. With a small base at CinSal International Airport, the T-Birds rise from the ashes under Lieutenant Colonel Volt Voltaire's command.

I met Lt. Col. Voltaire at Honah Lee airport and we flew together to NAS Miramar after which we traveled to CinSal Airport in Agrippa - a place the Blue Angels hold close to their hearts - where T-Bird One gave Angel 7 a tour of the modest but solid and well placed base that is home to the Thunderbirds. Future interchange between the two American demo squadrons was one of the many topics covered. Below are a few mementos of the occasion (as usual, click on the images to enlarge).

Cougar and Volt at Miramar after the flight from Honah Lee.

The T-Birds hangar and support building at CinSal Airport.

Support building first floor meeting room and reception area.

The Thunderbirds briefing room on the second floor.

CAPT. Asra Kron and Lt. Col. Volt Voltaire.

  
The United States Navy Third Fleet in SL welcomes the Thunderbirds back to the Second Life aerobatic community and hope this squadron will become the corner stone of a modern age United States Air Force in SL. Best of luck, Lt. Col. Voltaire!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO / TFCOM / Angel 7

SLUR to the Thunderbirds new home - SLUR here!

A New Season starts: Blue Angels Homecoming 2018

NAS Miramar main gate dressed up for Homecoming, February 10, 2018.

After two postponements, this year's Blue Angels Homecoming happened on the weekend of February 10 and 11, at NAS Miramar, traditionally marking the new season start for the Navy Flight Demonstration Team. This year, the Blues proudly flew their new F/A-18C Hornets for the first time, launching the first operational version of the upcoming Shana Carpool Aircraft commercial F/A-18C and F/A-18D Hornets.

For two days and two demonstrations, the Blues introduced the 2018 team to their fellow officers, their families and friends and audiences from all over Second Life. Attendance was at the level of last year's edition ( see here ) and around 100 people were able to enjoy the air show throughout the two days.

Day one team, from port side, BamBam, QB, Cougar, Hawk, Mistell and the Boss.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who could be at Miramar to watch this annual event and thank you all for your amazing support. We fly the skies of SL to bring awareness to not just the United States Navy but also aviation in general, and the audiences that follow us each year makes our job, indeed, the best in the world. Thank you so much.

The Blue Angels 2018 Season is officially open and what a year we have in store for you! More news to follow and the invitation was made at Miramar at the end of Day Two and is repeated here now for the second air show of the year at Luxor International Airport, one of the Blues favorite demo locations, in March. Details soon.

A special shout out to LT. Hazel "Witch" Brook and canine reporter extraordinaire Quin Avery for helping us relay the Blue Angels radio communications to part of the audience on Day One, our Third Fleet officers who served as ground crew on Day Two, and General Luke Flywalker, who recorded Day One on video. Watch the video on the SL Aviation Network channel - right here!

Please follow the link on the icon above to see the complete photo coverage of the two day Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show of 2018. The photo coverage page will be accessible always from the right column of this weblog and now also in the February issue of the NEPTUNE magazine!
Go Navy! Go Blues!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
Angel 7