She discounted talk of her surprising inclusion in the Blue Angels as being a form of damage control after a former commander’s recent sexual harassment scandal.
“Well, honestly, I would just tell them to watch the show. They can’t tell the difference between mine and the other two pilots on here because I fly it just as well as they do,” the officer told CBS.
Capt. Higgins will be flying the Blue Angels’ C-130 aircraft, known globally as “Fat Albert.” It may not go as fast as the F-18s, but it's every bit as integral to the show and the ride is surely as thrilling.
"I definitely didn't come on the team to break any barriers or anything like that, that definitely wasn't my agenda," Higgins said. "It just so happened that I was the first female to perform in a demo here, and if that is inspiring to people, if that's inspiring to little girls around the country, then I'm doing my job."
Want to fly with the Blue Angels? We wrote an article about flying with the Blue Angels. We did this because we received so many requests about that.
Source(s) -
- CBS News
- Washington Post
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Related Questions
Who was the first female Blue Angels pilot?
U.S. Marine Corps Captain Katie Higgins was the first woman to fly with the Blue Angels, the US Navy's flight demonstration squadron. She joined the team in 2015, flying the C-130 transport, after earning her aviator wings in 2011.
What is "Fat Albert" in the Blue Angels?
"Fat Albert" is the nickname of the Blue Angels' Lockheed C-130 Hercules support aircraft. It carries the team's equipment and personnel and performs its own crowd-pleasing demonstration. Captain Katie Higgins flew Fat Albert as the first woman to pilot for the Blue Angels.
What aircraft do the Blue Angels fly?
The Blue Angels perform in Boeing F/A-18 Hornet (and later Super Hornet) fighter jets, supported by the C-130 "Fat Albert." The fast jets fly tight formation and solo aerobatics, subjecting pilots to intense G-forces, while Fat Albert handles logistics and its own display.
Have other women served with the Blue Angels?
Yes. Women had served on the Blue Angels team in support and staff roles before Katie Higgins, but she was the first to fly as a demonstration pilot during air shows. Women have long excelled in military aviation too, including World War II ace Lydia Litvyak.
When did Katie Higgins become a pilot?
Katie Higgins received her US military aviator wings in 2011, following her family's tradition of service, and went on to join the Blue Angels in 2015 as their first female demonstration pilot.
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