By Todd and Kelley Whitaker of WhitPics
Air-to-air photo missions can be put on a schedule and planned months in advance of the event. Then they can be cancelled just as quickly and eventually rescheduled in a short period of time. A hurried trip down to Vero Beach, Florida, in May of this year was one of those experiences. We had the opportunity for a unique A2A photo mission with the two U.S. Navy Blue Angels solos and Rob Holland, EAA Lifetime 555134.
Rob is a successful and accomplished aerobatic pilot who entertains and amazes crowds around the country with his daring stunts and maneuvers. He flies his one-of-a-kind all-carbon fiber masterpiece MXS-RH through the sky with ease. Rob has won 12 consecutive U.S. National Aerobatic Championships, is the five-time defending World Freestyle Aerobatic champion, and 13-time U.S. Freestyle Aerobatic champion. Also, he received the prestigious Art Scholl Award for Showmanship in 2012 from the International Council of Air Shows, the highest award any show pilot can receive.
Rarely does this type of photo mission occur with the Blue Angels. The first photo mission of the day took place around 1:30 in the afternoon. We flew alongside Rob Holland and the No. 5 Lead Solo, Lt. Cmdr. Griffin “Push Pop” Stangel and No. 6 Opposing Solo, Thomas “Franz” Zimmerman. Our talented photo pilot and aerial director Scott Slocum was able to hold us in a steady pattern over Vero Beach and the coastline, allowing for some remarkable photo opportunities. In a brief time, we had photos of Rob with the Blue Angels below him in tight formation, with Rob inverted above the Blues and even with smoke on by all three aircraft with the MXS-RH inverted. Skill and nerves of steel by all involved.
The early evening photo mission with Rob in the solo role was even more breathtaking than watching his performance from the ground. The ease with which he so efficiently and fluidly inverts his airplane is incredible when seen from the air. Smoke on, smoke off, and a quick flick of the controls and he goes from inverted to normal level flight. The skill and precision are much more evident at eye level. His skills are tight and calculated precisely as he changes the airplane’s position. The Cobra maneuver, sliding sideways and tumbling through the sky with smoke all around above Vero Beach, was a sight to behold and photograph.
Many thanks to Scott Slocum AeroMedia, Rob Holland AeroSports, and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels solo aviators, Lt. Cmdr. Stangel and Cmdr. Zimmerman for this memorable photo mission. See you in the blue skies.