Why to Come to 'Fleet Week' in San Francisco
 

AWESOME! America's(and the world's) finest.

Fleet Week, and airshows in general are interesting because there are herds of people who do not know what is happening and where to look.

I had to explain to the folks around us that 'Fat Albert' doing his fly-by was not a bomber.

I happened to be looking when the aircraft carrier launched Hornets.....as it passed under the Golden Gate Bridge!
It was "A big f***ing deal" to quote our Vice President, but almost nobody knew it happened.

When they do the "Heritage Fly-by" most people don't know how the old prop plane and the newer jets are related.

But they have more speakers along the bay where the Angels perform so more people get to hear and understand what is going on.

That's what happens at mach 1. :)

So...what is actually happening at the plane's tail?

It's a condensation cloud.

It also happens more commonly when planes break the sound barrier (mach speed) but I guess since he was buzzing the water's surface there was enough moisture in the air to create it.

Google "vapor cone" or "sonic boom" for awesome pics and more details.

indeed. i would not even attempt mach 1 that near water!