Hmmm, well I guess that would rule out carrier operation for all Navy jets then...

Don't think they fly as close to the water.

amazing video...

I will be attending the Blue Angels show Saturday. And since I live a few miles from their home base, I get to see them in the air frequently, while practicing. Even with that, they never cease to amaze and impress me!

I don't know how fast they're going on those low passes but it's pretty darn fast! I was at a show once at the Alliance airfield north of here and right on the fence about 30 ft. from a taxiway. The 1-4 planes come by on a slow pass to get everyones attention and just after they pass here comes a solo ripping down the center of the taxiway 8 feet off the ground! He was going so fast you couldn't hear him until he blew past.

......................

You do NOT have to be close to the water to produce that effect around the plane.... It can happen at various altitudes.

It is referred to as the sonic boom cloud. Despite its name, the sonic boom cloud doesn't always come with a sonic boom, and it's not a shock wave of the sound barrier being broken. The clouds only occur in unique weather conditions, when aircraft fly fast enough to cool the air around them, causing moisture in the air to condense into clouds. These halos of vapor appear for only a few seconds when aircraft reach speeds just below or just above the speed of sound (741 miles an hour/1,193 kilometers an hour).

http://home1.gte.net/lbalders/f18_sb.jpg

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...undbarrier.jpg
There are cool videos on youtube ....

Excellent explanation......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d9A2oq1N38

so "sonic boom cloud" is a misnomer then huh

cue03 in u're first pic it looks like there is a ghost complete with halo behind the pilot

wonder what happens if u stick u're head out the window at that speed?

There are actually 2 clouds that get produced. one in the front of the aircraft and one towards the rear.

Curtis

Yesterday's Blue Angel show in Pensacola
Slideshow here