Pulling 7G’s in an F-18 Fighter Jet With the US Navy Blue Angels

Experience flying an F-18 Super Hornet with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels!
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Huge thanks to the Blue Angels and Scott Air Force Base for making this video possible!
THE DREAM TEAM:
Cam Op #1: Swayne Martin / swayne.martin
Cam Op #2: Dante Barger / originaldante
Cam Op #3: Sinh Truong / sinhvtruong
Creative Director: Washington Chua / washingtonchua
Lead Editor: Luke Eckholm / lukeckholm
VIDEO CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
0:45 F-18 Walkaround
5:45 Fat Albert
6:40 My Favorite Part
7:29 My F-18 Flight
12:30 7G Passout
13:11 Final Maneuvers/Landing
14:15 Conclusion
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Email: ✉️
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[@SamEckholm]

Hope you enjoyed this one! What aircraft would you like to ride in if you had the chance?

[@MusketeerTed]

I would love to fly the F-35!!!! It can do anything and is so fast!!!

[@johnchornyTheOnly]

B-2 or 1 would be a treat

[@S1su]

Su-57 so I could tell NATO all of it’s secrets

[@jefferyjerry9623]

raptor

[@redpyro217]

If they were more around and available I would love to fly an f-14

[@theflyingswissman2069]

Sam nearly passing out and the captain speaks like it’s nothing 😂, love it! 🔥🔥

[@billyb9089]

He did pass out but totally understandable.

[@BlackEagle352]

Man i would pass out at 1.1G lmao

[@numl6ck_]

@@BlackEagle352 💀💀

[@owleeva]

I’m passing out just by watching! 😩

[@surf101-]

Pilot is a professional, interviewer is a rookie! Nothing surprising about rookie passing out!!!

[@Progs420]

Crazy that the pilot just talks normally while Sam has to try to breathe while those g's hit!!! Mad respect!

[@tacodias]

He talks normally and more clearly than the guy flying the 737s

[@teslamymaeve8407]

💯😂😂🤣⚰️

[@machibesalamy9424]

That was so awesome 👍🏼😎 wow 😲😳.love it. It's anyway if you can hook us up. Think about it.

[@hasaniennis442]

That was intense, brother!!!😮 Mad respect! You took 7gs man, whoo! Much, respect to the Blue Angles - what a ride!!!

[@Nyra890]

He passed the USAFA and he is an air force officer what were you expecting 😂😅

[@Ayman-pe4co]

​@@Nyra890he is a camera man

[@dylman5744]

Dude he can be happy that the pilot didn’t bust the G-Limiter! 10Gs would have destroyed me and him…😂😅

[@mrspecs9211]

@@dylman5744 dont think theyre allowed to outside of combat, cos theres a reason the Gs are limited - that stuff can bend the airframe

[@Zaiyts]

Angels*

[@linuvil4873]

Dude is just talking to you normally while you die 😂😂😂

[@rodriguezrogelio96]

This guy🤣tbh I was watching the video then homie just passed out I was like is this part of the show😮

[@Your_TribalChief]

It literally feels like your ribs are gonna collapse

[@mattleclair5520]

major respect for you and all fighter pilots out there!!! The majority of people don't realize how much work goes into flying a fighter jet !!!!

[@emarchelo]

No shit. Its not a bike lol

[@cherise5848]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😢😂😮🎉😅😂😊lol😅

[@peters6454]

7gs is no joke! Incredible pilots and airplanes!

[@specialopssoldier1]

hell imagine hitting 9 lol.. i remember tito this former UFC fighter hit it at 9 g

[@suicidepilot]

The pilot just casually talking Sam through a 6g turn was fun to watch

[@darthbane6021]

The fact the pilot is talking to you while you’re struggling just shows how amazing these dudes truly are.

[@Chihuahuauno1]

Not really, it’s just all about tolerance and doing it over and over and over. Don’t make it more than it really is bro!

[@insanepolarbear]

13:02 - "Hey Sam, how are you doing?" - "Good". While at the same time, tilting the head like an owl, haha. For real though, it looks like a workout. It's impressive how the pilot is having a normal conversation while pulling those G's.

[@JesiErin]

I love how humble they are. I imagine it takes a high level of humility to master something so difficult as part of a such a synchronized team. No room for ego.

[@ImARealHumanPerson]

I've never thought about it before Sam mentioned it. But it's wild how he's able to talk while pulling like that. Just a normal day at the office for them.

[@alexlohan2988]

Not Sam passed out in front of the most beautiful backdrop and music combo there has ever been. You fought hard! Very cool video and experience!

[@shykj8892]

Blue Angels! WIthout a single doubt, my favorite alongside the Black Eagles. It is insane to see how daringly skilled pilots show off their performance that has been acquired in no other than repeating of trainings, trainings, and trainings. Kudos to Sam, engineers, air controllers, and everyone associated behind the video.

[@rodriguezrogelio96]

Black Eagles another show stopper?😳how come I’ve never heard of them the name already gives me bad ass vibes haha

[@goonietoons2-797]

Don’t forget the Thunder birds 🔥🔥🔥

[@AndyHoltOutdoorUniversity]

My dad was the naval aviator for 21 years. Grew up in the 60s and 70s watching the Blues from Hawaii to California in Virginia. Much respect for the entire team the way they represent us. You did an awesome job in the backseat of number 7!

[@manishmohanta916]

Hey Sam… congratulations on becoming a 7g club member!!! I can relate that g lock with you.. and the cold air u feel on ur face and feeling of weightlessness ,,, awesome dude ur g -strainings were good… keep on showing such awesome videos!! Awesome 👍🏼

[@user-kv5xh8sd8w]

😅😅😅😅😅😅😅 it means to be on a student is that the best character are the best thank goodness it say verdansk you want me to do it for you if you want me to wait what do we do I look up 🤔🤔 are you doing today is the 😂😂last name a student ok I'll try again for the best character are you na na si David is my skin is that the one here and my password is your name in your house were in your house is that our service I swear to go play br Chopra Jonas and the house is my skin cool to play with my mom I have to eat it all day here in your house okay I know it is that the house I have a rare are you feeling this time for a student ok thanks I will

[@user-kv5xh8sd8w]

Ft of duty mobile

[@user-kv5xh8sd8w]

Hotel of duty mobile

[@user-kv5xh8sd8w]

Hello of duty mobile

[@user-kv5xh8sd8w]

Like it say verdansk

[@Because_Reasons]

It's incredibly to think about how much sheer athleticism it takes to fly, can't even imagine dog-fighting. Not only do you have to have the tactics, you have to be an absolute Olympic level athlete.

[@filetofish]

bro how is the pilot just having a casual conversation while your about to pass out

[@Sampoel]

Respect to blue angles for agreeing to this video. and as always undefined high cinematic videography, I have visited Belgian airforce days today and then saw your video, finished my day

[@captaineric5276]

No way you were actually here! I’m currently stationed here at NAS Pensacola for Air Force technical training. We always love seeing the Blue Angels fly over our head.

[@davidwolf226]

💙 This is to honor "Bert" and all of the F-18 Super Hornet crews. What an awesome experience flying in that Super Hornet, Sam. And, I was impressed with your Hicks maneuver, too. Not bad for a first-timer. 👍

[@aftech7268]

I used to work with pilots on F16s and F15s and i respect the work these guys do

[@michaelchimenti4989]

Saw the Blue Angels show at Guardians of Freedom in Lincoln, NE last month. LCDR Zimmerman did a fantastic job as narrator for the show. He knew the names and home towns of every single person on the team by memory, and he presented a 30 minute show without missing a beat using no notes. Military precision at its finest :)

[@PirateAndArmadaCo]

Live in Pensacola and get to watch their practices all the time on the water. These are the best of the best when it comes to naval aviation. I've been fortunate to meet quite a few of them, and they are all great people.

[@BenHuntsman]

Dude that was some real G-force, nice job

[@onelostpilot6880]

Hey Sam...you are a brave guy, dude! Those maneuvers are crazy and those guys in the Blue Angels team perform that routine every time there is an airshow around. Superhumans, and super pilots!

[@IANSFIGHTERPICS_YT]

I’ve studied so much about these guys. It really incredible how they fly. Also, love the bud dude.

[@andresryan5901]

Andres

[@mr.ajayjose]

Watched Blue Angels at Toronto last week. These guys are too good - I was grinning ear to ear everytime they flew by. Oh sneak passes are awesome.

[@rajivg9997]

Me too! Caught them at YYZ on the Labour day Monday morning for take off and return. Got some great shots

[@jdslipknot]

8:40 Fighter jets doing unrestricted climb will never get old.

[@1900intz]

Sam. That was AMAZING! Thank you for taking us along for one hell of a ride. And total respect for the Blue Angels.

[@DeclanCW]

Watched them over the labour day weekend at the Canadian international airshow, amazing performance.

[@augl2702]

Amazing production as always, brother! What an amazing opportunity. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@-Muhammad_Ali-]

Now, that gives a huge appreciation to pilots' abilities when they do the actual dogfight or when they try to shake off a missile from their back. Amazing how many struggle goes with your body when they show those nice tricks in airshows.

[@Minecraft-gw1jv]

Wow… Respect for you man. That takes ALOT.. you did amazing! Props to the Pilot for being an absolute Stud!!

[@scottficorilli859]

So much respect for these guys! So humble and appreciative. Love it! Great video!

[@mjohnson9563]

Another excellent video Sam. What a way to see you fight through all of those Gs. That was amazing. All four branches have some kind of air power and all of it is very cool and helps make our military the best.

[@chrisc765]

hes TALKING during those G's those pilots are awesome

[@anaquanaut]

So COOL! Thank You pilot Thomas Zimmerman "Franz Blue Angel 7" & entire United States Navy Blue Angels F-18 Super Hornet Precision Team, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida & Scott Air Force Base, St. Clair County, Illinois, USA

[@aconfusedazn]

Awesome video Sam! We can really feel the excitement! What an honor.

[@mreed1685]

Amazing video, and that flight looked intense. Outstanding video production as always, but the flight itself was really impressive because they obviously didn't go easy on you.

[@chogrd]

Man you always know the videos I wanna see! Great work Sam stay safe out there

[@ScottHirons]

That was one of the best VIP ride videos I've seen. Great job all around!

[@zckegi8943]

That must have been awesome, wow! Honestly, flying in a (fighter) jet is probably the only dream I have (or rocket, but that is doubtless the next level tho). Great video Sam, I am always excited to see new one!

[@amandajoslin-kk5zc]

These guys are absolutely amazing! I grew watching them as a military brat. You seriously got the opportunity of a lifetime to get to ride along. As an Air Force kiddo living on a C-130 airbase, I appreciate Fat Albert getting some love 😊.

[@Timmysyt]

Bert gets the praise of being the delivery man that never goes out of time

[@mikebutler7605]

The pilot never lost a breath. Go NAVY. They are awesome.

[@quentix8961]

i love your content you put so much effort in your videos you so underrated you every aviation geek should know about you

[@ahadmir23]

Dude so much respect to you for this

[@jamesmattingly6089]

Man what an experience that would be. And you let us take part in it all. Thank you. Great video. Godbless!

[@christinebarnes3493]

No punches pulled! Bravo 💙

[@Edwilliamjr]

What a great video, I love naval aviation and this ride with the blue angels was amazing, great content!

[@GSDStark]

I thought the maintainer was gonna put you in an armbar after that slap hands, fist bump! Great video as always!

[@wrighty338]

Goodnight 🤣 How on earth do you pull these collabs off?

[@spicysnowman8886]

He's a photographer/press guy in the air force.

[@Matt-jc8rq]

This must have been awesome! Thanks for sharing this! Great video, professionally done!

[@kirbydavis3466]

Great video Sam and thanks for sharing this awesome journey of yours, not only on the F18 but for everything you do. ❤ My preferred aircraft to ride would be more on WWII planes.

[@aviation-action]

Some of the best aviation videos are on this channel... AMAZING WORK!

[@Volstrekthoon]

I saw the blue angels at a air show in Seattle during my trip to America in the summer vacation and it was the number 1 best thing I have ever seen in my life absolutely amazing video I really enjoy the content keep up the good work

[@andrewj9831]

Sam, forgot to mention that "Bert" also performs at shows too if she can. As her main focus is transport, and show support, she doesn't do all the shows. Best chances are the practice show, and the first day of a weekend visit. As the 2nd day, they tend to start parking for the return trip home....

[@bicycle697]

Fantastic man!!!! Great job.

[@ChrisSprenger.]

You did so good !!!! Great video btw. Thanks for the upload.

[@andresmarquez88888]

Awesome Experience Sam. Congratulations man

[@BryanBrosGolf]

Freakin great work Sam!!!

[@SamEckholm]

🙏🏼

[@jdjr3640]

Went to school in Pensacola and went to the air show twice. Even got to see low pass practice flybys at school on occasion. It’s the most exhilarating and impressive demonstration I’ve ever witnessed. Your chest is rattled by the engines, hearing muffled (definitely wear ear protection) and your heart pounding. If you ever have the opportunity, you must experience the greatest air superiority show in the world.

[@robertcoyne8034]

That's awesome! Stoked for you, 7 is so professional.

[@stuartrollings602]

Howdy again! Have to add that this was an amazing educational episode and thanks to you and the entire Blue Angel community! Yehaw and saddle up!

[@serverninjas]

That had to be an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@goatie2913]

Very envious. I worked at many airports for nearly 40 yrs, ARFF. Had flts in quite a few different ACFT but never a military jet. You are one very fortunate young man.

[@estellemelodimitchell8259]

Awesome video Sam for featuring the Blue Angels!

[@larrywjohnson]

It's a rush just watching you experience the G's! Outstanding video, sir!

[@John-vh3ig]

I enjoyed this video content a lot! What an amazing experience must have been.

[@limvo1260]

OMG, that must be an incredible experience. Those pilots are truly extraordinary, flying at inches apart and doing crazy maneuvers. Thank you!

[@ChefDevo1776]

Saw these guys perform last summer. Absolutely incredible

[@jacobb3063]

Air shows and monster truck rally’s. Things that make me feel like a kid again. Love this vid

[@IndyNavy_]

I was waiting for naptime, you handled that better than most Sam. Kudos!

[@joshb1275]

One thing I’m miss most about being security forces was just sitting on the flight line guarding these beautiful airplanes . F22s , thunderbirds and blue angels were out at Hickam. It’s crazy to think the job I hated most is one I miss the most . Love your videos keep up the good work .

[@Jadedfaeri]

Wow! I was tense for you! Lol mad respect. And to the pilot, not only for the amazing skills but for coaching you at the same time. 🤘

[@sweatplayz5331]

This is amazing! I personally know one of the Blue Angels. Number 2, his name is Chris, callsign "Cheese." Its amazing what they do.

[@fly69er1]

Wow 4gs and the pilot kept talking without even trying to catch his breath mad respect.

[@albertomarcosdelatorre3483]

Another amazing vídeo Sam!! Congratulations

[@letzUploadit]

such an amazing experience loved this.

[@Hwatzka2]

Born and raised in Pensacola. I always loved seeing the Blue Angels fly overhead weekly for practice

[@bcrcndr]

Wow. What a ride! thank you for bringing us along. Thank you to all service men and women.

[@GearDad]

Great video. First I’ve seen with full flight G meter showing how you handled each maneuver.

[@ladyfranklin1225]

That was so awesome! My adrenaline was pumping for you! Excellent video and congrats on kicking ass up there! 👏🏻💯

[@NealTK]

That was friggin' AWESOME Sam!!!!!!

[@monicaw5036]

Those men are flipping AMAZING!! Dude you did a great job hanging in there.

[@UserHowell]

You should come to the UK and do a video on the Red Arrows

[@OMG_No_Way]

So jealous! Crazy to see the wings flex!

[@chandlercampbell9146]

Saw the Blues when I was maybe 8-9 yrs old. Military air show my mil dad took me to that I’ll never forget. They did a high speed low altitude pass. Maybe 15-20 ft off the ground and so close I remember thinking I could have reached out and touched the wing. Truly incredible aviators. Dust coming off the runway and then did a straight vertical pull up to 20,000. Insane pilots, nothing but respect for these guys and what they do.

[@cosmin_budda]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!! LOVE FROM ROMANIA.

[@lukehrabar8540]

Absolutely insane, hope to fly these for the RAAF one day.

[@Coasterdude02149]

This was the absolute coolest! Mad respect to the pilots for the discipline it takes to pilot those amazing jets and you for getting the chance to experience it!

[@karenbradley2657]

That was absolutely amazing thank you for sharing

[@medievalmusiclover]

Very Nice, Sam. Thank you so much for great videos.

[@bobbypatterson7481]

Well-done Sam. Awesome. Thanks for sharing this!!!!

[@bettywhitmarsh6410]

Thank you for this video l, it gives an incredible insight as to what these pilots do. Love the sound & thunder of the aircraft’s. If I was younger would love to try that ride. At this point in my I’ll stick to the pit at a rock show. Huge thanks for this insight.

[@wayneyadams]

6:59 Pilots steer ships, AVIATORS fly airplanes. Those men are Naval Aviators, the best flyers in the world, bar none. The F-18 Both the Legacy and Super hornet are insane aircraft. Imagine flying vertically upward.

[@chevy6n2]

Excellent reporting Sam, what a beast of a plane

[@USAIRFORCE621]

While the Blues only switched to the E/F model of the Hornet in 2021 the actual Super Hornet has been in the USN inventory over 20 years, keep in mind that the Blues hornets are some of the oldest in the entire fleet, but more than capable of performing this type of precision flying, and fortunately being just down the road from the USNA I get to see sometimes two or three times a year if they also perform over Baltimore or at Joint Base Andrews!

[@charliejones6138]

Marines have never used the E/F model. They are AV-8B and Old C/D legacy hornet. Along with the F-35B now.

[@Aviation_Videos]

Sam you are a legend and well done on the ride

[@sachinkambadur6940]

Looks so fun to fly with the Blue Angels

[@noahharrison2717]

Went to the Scott afb air show and seeing this whole video was just joyfull memories