In 1946, Admiral Chester Nimitz laid out the vision to create a flight demonstration team to stimulate public interest in naval aviation and improve naval morale. That was the beginning of the BLUE ANGELS, and this year marks the Blue Angels’ 76th year of performing. This week the Blue Angels will be flying over Knoxville, Tennessee at the Smoky Mountain Air Show.
At every Blue Angels show, someone who has helped aid in shaping the attitudes and opinions of young people in the community is chosen as a community influencer and that person has the unique opportunity to fly in an F-18 with the Blue Angels. Former Cumberland County High School Principal, now Aviation Teacher at CCHS, Mr. Jon Hall has been selected as one of the 2022 Blue Angel Key Influencers, and this Wednesday, Mr. Hall will have the “thrill of a lifetime” as he flies with the Blue Angels.
Mr. Jon Hall stated, “It is truly an honor to be nominated. I never dreamed that I would be selected. When I got the phone call from the Blue Angels, I couldn’t believe it. I have had the biggest smile on my face ever since. My ride will take place on Wednesday, September 7 at McGhee Tyson Airport. The Blue Angels are the headliner for the Smoky Mountain Air Show on September 10-11.”
Hall was nominated by Colonel Trey Meadows (retired). “Trey is a 1986 CCHS graduate and just retired after a distinguished 35-year career in the Marine Corps. Trey flew Marine 1 for George HW Bush for four years. He is currently working at McGhee Tyson Airport as the Smoky Mountain Air Show Coordinator and has many other duties.”
Hall has been working with Trey since last fall on the “Save Our Jet” committee where, “our goal is to bring back the CCHS Blue Angel to her true glory. In the fall of 2021, we began the restoration process. She is an icon in Cumberland County, and we are excited to get this project completed. It has truly been amazing to see our community come together with this common goal. We have been able to partner with TCAT Crossville and they will be doing the actual restoration. Their construction classes have completed the structure around the Blue Angel and their collision repair class will be performing the restoration. We hope to unveil her later this fall.”
Hall stated further, “Through this project, I have been able to meet several members of the Blue Angel Alumni Association, and they actually wrote a letter on my behalf recommending me for the Key Influencer ride. Curt Watson, CCHS alumni and former Blue Angel pilot, also sent in a letter of support on my behalf.
Outside of this project, aviation is a huge part of my life. I currently serve on the Airport Committee for the Crossville Memorial Airport. I earned my private pilot’s license in 2018 and completed my instrument rating in 2019. This year I have the opportunity to share my love of aviation with the students at CCHS by returning to the classroom to teach aviation courses. Our district was recently awarded an Innovative High School grant to expose students to the world of aviation. The cost of flight training is out of reach for most of our students. Through this grant, we are paying for flight simulators to use both in the classroom and at the airport, but more importantly, we are paying for up to 45 students to get their private pilot’s license. Our hope is this head start will help students who have a dream of a career in aviation.”
General Admission to the Smoky Mountain Air Show is FREE, but to get premium viewing tickets and parking passes go to: https://smokymountainairshow.com/tickets/