There is nothing like pulling a high-G turn in an F/A-18. Your g-suit expands in your thighs to keep blood from draining from your chest and head, and you can feel like you weight 1,000 pounds. It’s crazy.

But if you’re in Cape Girardeau, Missouri this weekend, you would do well to check out the Blue Angels who are flying demonstrations at the 2010 Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival where attendees don’t have to pay a dime on Saturday or Sunday. These guys are some of the most technically proficient fliers I know, with a gap between planes of about 18 inches.

Speaking of G-suits, they don’t wear them. Even in turns that make them feel seven times the force of gravity. They can’t, the g-suit would interfere with their ability to control the Hornet control stick. Instead they practice flexing each muscle of their body.

When you decide to become a fighter pilot, you’re looking at joining a group of people who have the same experience and dedication that you do. You’re also looking at years of refinement, where sometimes a g-suit isn’t necessary.

One Other Pro Tip: you may not hear the audio of the Blue Angels, but the lead pilot is also a drum major, going through the cadence of maneuvers the whole team will accomplish the way a conductor counts time.

They’ll be performing Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20 at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Since it’s free, if you’re in the Missouri area, I highly recommend checking it out. If you plan on going here is some great parking information for the show.