The Snowbirds are regular performers at the Reno air races which I've been to many years. A friend could get a special pass and would take us to one of the pylons for a close-up of the races. The only drawback was we had to get there at sunrise and had to stay there all day. I believe the Snow Birds use trainer jets.

A pilot friend took me to one of his club functions and they played a movie of the Blue Angles. All the camera shots were from inside the cockpits showing just how close the wing tips get and what amazed me was just how bumpy the jets flew. I've seen the Blue Angles a few times but the movie I saw showed just how hard what they do is. It looks so smooth from the ground but they are fighting those jets to keep them in formation. In the movie, after they landed they talked to the pilots and they were soaking wet from sweat, apparently caused by the intense concentration required.

Very cool shows
SteveS