Blue Angels Solo Pilot, Wayne Molnar (1986 - 1988)
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- Опубліковано 19 лют 2021
- Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
Email: blueangelphantoms@gmail.com
Twitter: @blueangelf4
Instagram: @blueangelphantoms
Also make sure to check out the Blue Angels Association:
Twitter: @blueangelsassoc
Instagram: @blueangelsassociation
Facebook: Blue Angels Association
Stock Footage from:
Skyhawk to Hornet: produced by March 2 Entertainment
Rolling in the Sky: produced by Geneon Entertainment
Touch the Sky: producers: Peter Henton, James M. Cross; director, Ted Mather
SF Fleet Week: filmed by Ryan Nothhaft
Picture of Yuma Air Show (First demo for BA in the F/18): Mitch Davis - Thank you for sharing your great photos!
Wayne Molnar is a former Navy Blue Angels pilot who served on the team from 1986 through the 1988 air show season. During his tenure with the Blues, Molnar served as the narrator ('1986), Opposing Solo (1987), and Lead Solo (1988). He was the only new pilot to join the 1987 team, which was otherwise frozen to accommodate the Blue Angels' transition to the F/18 Hornet from the A4 Skyhawk.
Molnar's naval career spanned a total of 20+ years, 13 of which were on active duty and 7 in the Reserves. Prior to joining the Navy, Molnar graduated college from Florida State before becoming a middle school teacher. Deciding that he needed a change, Molnar met with a Naval recruiter and the rest is history.
In the year's preceding his time on the Blue Angels, Wayne was stationed out of NAS Miramar at part of squardron VF-2 "The Bullets" where he flew the F-14 Tomcat. He'd later be deployed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) conducting operational missions over the Indian Ocean off the coast of Iran. It was during this deployment that Molnar would receive encouragement from former Blue Angel pilots, Vance Parker and Ernie Christensen, to submit an application to the Blue Angels.
Wayne Joined the Blue Angels as the narrator for the 1986 season, notable in that is was also the last year the team flew the A4 Skyhawk. To ensure a safe and timely transition to the F/18 Hornet in 1987, the Blues Angels decided to freeze the team, with the exception of Molnar who replaced Curt Watson, who had just served an extended tour of four consecutive years.
At the time of the transition in 1987, only Pat Walsh, the team's slot pilot, had any previous experience flying the F/18. After completing an intense learning agenda at NAS Jacksonville, the Blues made their way to winter training in El Centro, California, where they began to build the demo. As part of that process, David Anderson, the lead solo, and Molnar, now opposing solo, were instrumental in developing the first solo program with the legacy Hornets. Molnar would remain with the team for the 1988 season, taking on the role as Lead Solo.
After leaving active service, Molnar became a pilot with American Airlines, where he retired after 28 years.
1986 Blue Angels Team:
1. CAPT Gil Rud
2. Capt Mark Bircher, USMC
3. LCDR Donnie Cochran
4. LCDR Pat Walsh
5. LCDR Curt Watson
6. LCDR David Anderson
7. LCDR Wayne Molnar
8. Maj Bill Campbell, USMC
MO LT Jim Anderson
Doc LT Wes Robinson
AO LT Hans Felt
PAO LT Dough Hocking
SUPO LT Sam Walker
1987 Blue Angels Team:
1. CAPT Gil Rud
2. Capt Mark Bircher, USMC
3. LCDR Donnie Cochran
4. LCDR Pat Walsh
5. LCDR David Anderson
6. LCDR Wayne Molnar
7. LCDR Cliff Skelton
8. LCDR Mike Campbell
MO LT Jim Anderson
Doc LT Wes Robinson
AO LT Jim Hawthorne
PAO LCDR Doug Hocking
SUPO LT Sam Walker
1988 Blue Angels Team:
1. CAPT Gil Rud
2. Capt Kevin Lauver, USMC
3. LCDR Mark Ziegler
4. LCDR Donnie Cochran
5. LCDR Wayne Molnar
6. LCDR Cliff Skelton
7. LCDR Dough McClain
8. LCDR Mike Campbell
MO LT Fred Cleveland
Doc LT Wes Robinson
AO LT Jim Hawthorne
PAO LCDR Rusty Holmes
SUPO LT Sam Walker - Авто та транспорт
Your were highly respected by the VF 2 Bounty Hunter Maintenance Crew. It was great to see you and you remembered my 1st name from that Era in Miramar as we both hurriedly passed each other in the hallway upstairs when I had just made the team. I was fortunate enough to become 6A Crew Chief after we lost 6A ..lil Larry early in 89. You were an exceptional Blue Angel pilot. I had never heard your story until now. Honestly VF 2 was my greatest honor, but the Blues was definitely fun and challenging for sure. An honor of my lifetime.
Humility is one of the most attractive human traits. This Veteran has the "right stuff." Thank you for your stellar service.
Always giving credit to the crew chiefs as part of the team' s resounding success.
Humble guys making part of something bigger than themselves.
That's GREATNESS!.
A real class act
Great story, great man. Our squadron hosted you at Pt. Mugu, and if I remember right our maintenance guys played a joke on your team by painting our squadron aggressor 'red stars' on your aircraft in washable paint. Great memories. Wrench
It’s just crazy to go from learning how to fly an F/A-18 to flying the Lead Solo spot of the Blues... no pressure! 😬
The passion he shows is incrediable
The roll that he speaks about is the one of the greatest maneuvers I have ever witnessed by a aircraft. The first time I saw it, I said a normal pilot can't do that because to have 2 jet aircraft roll like that at the exact same time seems impossible, but they did it. If you can go to youtube and watch Van Halen's music video "Dreams" they were flying the A-4s. My hats off to you Blue Angels this includes all members Pilots, maintenance and support staff.
Went to the MCAS El Toro Air Show in '87. Met "Duke" Cunningham, saw the Blue Angels and saw the Marines do a really cool live Air-Ground task force.
Wayne is a class act. Great job with the interview.
My job is right next to Cecil in Jacksonville. It's great to have the f-18's fly over regularly.
Love it. The humility. The passion. Excellent interview.
VERY interesting show, Wayne. As an FAA controller, I worked both 'The Blues' and 'The Birds' countless times. Of the two, I'd have to pick the Blues as my favorite. (Maybe because, as a controller at Las Vegas TRACON 77-79, I worked the 'Birds' countless times and they were a major pain in the butt the majority of the time). What was the first year you flew A-4's... 73 or 74? I was the FAA airspace coordinator for the Pt. Mugu Space Fair that year. I'm up in the tower sucking on a coffee cup when the leader calls in, requesting a low approach. The reads the weather, about 300 and half a mile (Obviously below VFR or Special VFR conditions). Pilot repeats his request and the controller repeats the weather. "Roger, tower, we're going to scout our landmarks and then call GCA for an approach to landing."
Remember the tower fly-by scene from Top Gun? Now granted, an A-4 doesn't make noise like an F-14 in burner, but.... We're still sucking down the coffee in the tower when... 300 and a half... you guys (UNANNOUNCED) do your Arrival Show down the runway at maximum sub-Warp speed. I think it was that day... the Blues cemented themselves as... Thee Best Among The Best! Congratulations, sir, and thank you for your service. Carl... 366th ASD, DakTo, Vietnam, 68-69.
Love the bowling bait and switch. That's great. I think he surpassed his sister. Another great story Ryan.
Yes he did! One of my claims to fame is being the first pilot in the family. :) I use this story with folks as a 'It's a Wonderful Life' kind of moment. You don't know how your life ripple effects others. I have less than 100 hours flying. But. I am an aerospace engineer and have had an exciting career.
Great story, great teamwork. Thank you for your service. A million kids and adults out there that would have loved to have been in your boots.
Another great interview and story.
I am slowly making it thru all the videos on this page and I am LOVING EACH and EVERY Pilot and interview. These stories are great! These pilots are amazing. Thank you for letting these pilots to share these fantastic stories!
Go ARMY! Beat Navy! (Sorry had to do it... I'm an Army brat. 😉🤣🤷🏼♀️)
Love that you’re enjoying the interviews. Truly a special group of people.
I remember watching the A4s in lemoore before the F 18s took over. It was Awesome. I loved the A4.
Thank you Wayne.....That was a Super Great video.....What a great story
Man, these are great videos.
In 1986 I was suspended from school so my dad took me out for breakfast, while sitting down in the restaurant (right at the south end of the runway of our municipal airport HIO - Hillsboro, Oregon) a Blue Angels F/A 18 Hornet flew right over, did a couple passes then landed and parked down by the Aero Air hanger at the north end of the field. Back then there wasn't much security only a gate so my dad took me over there and they let us in to meet the Number 7 pilot. My dad has a photo of me standing under the F/A 18. Was quite the memorable experience, rewarded for getting suspended. I joined the US Navy in 1997, but ended up out early with a medical discharge. Still wouldn't have joined if I hadn't met that pilot back in 1986.
Top-notch as always Ryan. Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks.
It is great to see how these guys evolve after the Blue Angels! . I have met former Blue Angel pilots in other aviation careers also. They are usually pretty humble about it all !
Such a good video! Thank you, Ryan!
Good interview Ryan. Always enjoy your work! Think of Harley when I see these videos!
Thanks for the interview. It takes me back I remember seeing BA in Miramar with parents around that time when on leave in the Corps.
Got to see Wayne at every So Cal Airshow from 86-88. China Lake, El Toro, Miramar, Pt Mugu. I even got to have a Polaroid with him at Annapolis in 88. Always a really down to Earth & fantastic person. Thank you for inspiring me as a teenager Wayne. It meant a lot to me. I’m an I.T. Professional now and a part-time aviation photographer. Best wishes from Washington State!
very impressive, great narration....
Ryan- Another great production. I’m glad the Yuma picture worked out. Best - Mitch
Wow! Thank you for your service! What a cool career!
Thank you for sharing your story, and thank you for your service!
The whiteout -- that got me good. Dedication for sure. Again, can't say enough great things about this series. Such incredible stories and glad we came across your channel.
Go Noles! Class of 2002 here. I forgot OCS was here in Pensacola at one time
So thankful for this.
Great stories. I saw you guys in 1987 at Ft Wayne, IN. The first time I saw the F-18.
Pat Walsh Was one OF my C.O. While assigned to VFA-105 great man. early days as a maintainer in the NAVY. 1996-1999 Retired 2012 best 30 years of life, do all over again they let me.
Awesome!😎👍🏿
Wayne you have done a great honest video,I live in Ireland so have not seen the Blues in action,I have pulled a few Gs in an RV self build with an RAF Harrier Pilot Jerry Humphreys so I love Aviation,My uncle Charley Banbrook has been in the Spitfire society so i guess its in the Blood,Best wishs to you,Bill Dunne
Most unassuming man in the Navy.
Nice to know that a pilot such as this, it took "slow learner"...
Leroy is a true gentleman.
A proud American-Hungarian! God bless the USA!
Alex.....Thanks
Way to go Ernie! Smoke Watts
The best among men are soldiers and the best among soldiers are fighter pilots.
Check out this Blue Angels video (set your bass knob to max): ua-cam.com/video/FYBDueAZymE/v-deo.html
I see he have Hungarian origina in hes family
khandla port , Ferrari
Wereall Needs BLACK SKY, NOT BLUE SKY.. AND WE'RE DONTS NUTS A SUNTRUER, NOYT UNDERSTOODS WHAT'S,
What an amazing person! Great clip and interview!