March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 51 F

10 minutes with Blue Angel #6, LT Mark Tedrow

LT Mark Tederow
LT Mark Tedrow, #6 Opposing Solo Pilot

This morning, I had the opportunity to chat with LT Mark Tedrow, the opposing solo pilot (#6) on the Blue Angels Navy flight demonstration squadron.

Tedrow is a native of Charleroi, Pa., and graduated from Charleroi Area High School in 2000, where he lettered in football and basketball. He attended the Academy, where he played football, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in History in May 2004 and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.

Mark joined the Blue Angels in September 2011 and served as the Narrator and VIP pilot in 2012, and as the Opposing Solo pilot in 2013. He has accumulated more than 1,800 flight hours and 212 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Strike Flight Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and unit awards.

We did not have too much time to talk, but we had solicited some questions from our Twitter and Facebook people…

LT Mark Tederow, # 6 Blue AngelsEOA:  Were you a fan of the Blue Angels as a kid?

The first time I saw the Blue Angels fly was here in Annapolis when I was a Mid.

EOA: Where are your favorite cities to perform?

I have never flown in Annapolis (the Blue Angels were canceled in 2011 for a safety violation, 2012 for a scheduling conflict, and 2013 for the federal sequester) and can’t wait. Some of the cities we visit are spectacular–San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, Chicago, Seattle are all fantastic.

EOA: How much training did you do to be a Blue Angel?

We are constantly training, but I reported in September 2011, went through some intensive training and saw my first flight in November. We trained for about 15 flights a week and by March 2012, I was ready to go.

EOA:  How long will you be with the Angels?

4 years. Typically it is 2-3 years, but because of the sequester, they extended the time.

EOA: Some have said that there is a lot of instrument flying.

Not at all. During performances, we are under human control. It takes about 10 weeks just to develop the muscle memory required for flight.

EOA:  You were a running back at Navy under both Charlie Weathersbie and Paul Johnson. How did that work out for you?

I played for 2 years and did not see too much action. I got injured and eventually realized that playing football and maintaining the academic excellence took a rare set of skills. I stopped playing and focused on my studies.

EOA: Charleroi–that’s in Western PA.  You are not….

Yes, I am indeed a Steelers fan.

And that’s about all we had to say about that!

LT Tedrow will be piloting #6 in the flight demonstration practice tomorrow, the full show on Wednesday, and the flyover at graduation on Friday!  We thank him for his time and wish him blue skies and Godspeed.

Please visit Eye On Annapolis for more information about their practice tomorrow and show on Friday!

[do action=”schuh”/]

 

 

Previous Article

Herndon Climb 2014

Next Article

Alvarez’s 6 RBI night lifts Baysox

You might be interested in …