SEAFAIR 2017: Blue Angels arrive at Boeing Field

| Blue Angels | West Seattle news

Two @blueangels BFI flybys before landing. Unusual. Now landing. pic.twitter.com/f9RFjli1WG

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 31, 2017

That’s the second of two Blue Angels flybys over Boeing Field (KBFI) before they landed a few minutes ago – usually there’s only one. They’re here for Seafair, with practices Thursday and Friday, and the official shows Saturday and Sunday, flying here this morning from their last stop, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

They’ve just taxied past the west-side public viewing area south of the KBFI terminal (the one that has been open on the north side of the terminal, also off East Marginal, in past years, is now blocked off) on their way to the Museum of Flight, their headquarters while here.

Victoria July 31, 2017 (11:52 am)

Any idea what the helicopter hovering near Boeing field is?

WSB July 31, 2017 (11:53 am)

Yes, both TV helicopters were overhead to cover this same event.
- Victoria July 31, 2017 (11:57 am)
  
  There is one still in the air now seems to be over the south park area
  - Victoria July 31, 2017 (12:12 pm)
    
    It just flew away after 30-45 mins of hovering over Southpark/ Boeing field. It was black with blue, didn’t see any news logos on it.
    - WSB July 31, 2017 (12:37 pm)
      
      That was the KOMO/KING helicopter. Doesn’t have a logo because they share it. Trust me, I was there and not only saw the helicopters but also checked the registration via online flight tracker. They were there to shoot the arriving and taxiing. And if one or both hung around past noon, that was for live coverage “look, they’re here” toward the top of the noon broadcasts – TR
    - Victorious July 31, 2017 (1:01 pm)
      
      Ok thanks. Just strange how it was moving around

Susan Conn July 31, 2017 (11:57 am)

Off subject, but any idea what the smoke over downtown and the bay is?

WSB July 31, 2017 (12:38 pm)

Yes, that too was from the Blue Angels. Much more smoke than usual – that was how we saw them coming – big smoke in the distance to the north. I also tweeted a photo of the smoke lingering afterward – to the south (it was also pretty thick to the north) https://twitter.com/westseattleblog/status/892089835355111425

Rob July 31, 2017 (12:46 pm)

Is there a viewing area open to the public to watch the Blue Angels practice? Last time I drove by there back in May they had the parking area just to the north of the control tower blocked with a bunch of construction. That’s where I used to go to take pictures of the Blue Angels. I believe in the video it looks like you were just south of the control tower, is that area now open to the general public?

WSB July 31, 2017 (12:55 pm)

Yes, but it’s really small. Only a couple other people there, plus a sheriff’s deputy, or else I wouldn’t have gotten a spot since I arrived close to 11 (South Park Bridge was open).

MD July 31, 2017 (2:01 pm)

I work in Georgetown about 1/4 mile from Boeing Field. They’re super low and loud. Awesome!

keith July 31, 2017 (3:36 pm)

Can you go down to view the Blue Angels/planes or is it all shut off to the public?

Any idea what time they take off from Boeing Field for practices Thursday and Friday? Heard that was a show in itself to see the pilots and staff walk out to the planes.

Thank you!

WSB July 31, 2017 (4:22 pm)

Hi, Keith – I have watched the Blue Angels from the Museum of Flight for many years but haven’t been there yet this time and so can’t speak to the setup. One thing that changed in the past year or two – you have to pay admission to get into their parking lot. As of last year, viewing from the fence on the south side of the Museum was still free – first come, first serve for a spot. It IS a great show in my opinion – we’ve covered it here over the years and you can scroll through our archive at https://westseattleblog.com/category/blue-angels … but be forewarned that since it’s all pavement it is hot even in “regular” summer weather and so this week it’s going to be baking. The practice takeoffs on Thursday morning vary but usually Thursday and Friday afternoon it’s the same timetable as the airshow, which means they take off somewhere around 12:30-12:45 pm. But don’t even think about getting there at the last minute if you want to watch from the fence! – TR
- seattlesparkle August 2, 2017 (1:14 pm)
  
  Thanks for the information. I was hoping to take the grandchildren out to view the Blue Angels practice tomorrow morning. Is there a good estimate for time for the morning practice?
  
  Also, where is the entrance to the west-side public viewing area, south of the KBFI terminal ?
  - WSB August 2, 2017 (1:20 pm)
    
    Off East Marginal. I can’t recall the cross-street. You’ll know it when you see it. I haven’t gone to the Thursday morning practices so I can’t estimate a time aside from roughly concurrent with the announced I-90 closure – first closure is 9:45-12:15 – the first practice is not generally in the same format as the practice shows, but the second one on Thursdays often is. https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/northwest/king/seafair/