While there is no set “schedule” for the Blue Angels practice times this week in Cleveland, there are clues as to when they be flying outside of the weekend air show.

NOTAMs for Burke Lakefront Airport for September 2nd and 3rd, 2010.

08/030 – AD CLSD. 02 SEP 16:00 2010 UNTIL 02 SEP 18:00 2010.

Local time -     12:00(noon)             2:00pm

08/029 – AD CLSD. 02 SEP 19:00 2010 UNTIL 02 SEP 20:15 2010.

Local Time                                  3:00pm                               4:15pm

09/008 – AD CLSD. 03 SEP 14:30 2010 UNTIL 03 SEP 17:30 2010.

Local Time    10:30am                            1:30pm

09/009 – AD CLSD. 03 SEP 19:00 2010 UNTIL 03 SEP 21:00 2010.

Local Time     3:00pm                              5:00pm

NOTAMs are Notices to Airmen, a tool needed by every pilot that is flying on any given day. The times that are printed on the reports are shown in gmt, so I have provided the local times underneath the NOTAMs times. The acronym “AD” stands for Aerodome and “CLSD” stands for closed, Aerodome Closed or Airport closed.

Did I just lose a bunch of readers? No worries, took me awhile to understand the jargon as well. Here is a easier translation:

Thursday, September 2nd 2010:

Burke Lakefront Airport Closed – Noon until 2:00pm and 3:00pm until 4:15pm

Friday, September 3rd 2010:

Burke Lakefront Airport Closed – 10:30am until 1:30pm and 3:00pm until 5:00pm

In years past Thursday closures are usually due to Blue Angels practices, possibly F-15 and/or F-18 or another high speed demo practice, though that is hit miss as the main act, Blue Angels, require a pre-practice, then a full practice.

Friday is the media day where some of the performers run through their routines for local media. The Blue Angels will fly in the afternoon, roughly 3pm, roughly.

I can remember many, many years looking out of a school window hoping to see the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds practicing. No more waiting ! Wish I knew then, what I know now

See ya at the show !