Flying so close to the water at such a high speed (at least 500mph) causes a vortex as the water is literally sucked up from the surface.
This picture – taken at a San Francisco airshow – captures the moment that a U.S. Navy aircraft causes a dramatic jet wash, with heat distorting the appearance of the air surrounding the distinctive F/A-18 Hornet plane.
The distorting visual effect surrounding the rest the aircraft is the result of the immense heat being generated – the combination of a hot day and the incredible speed the plane is reaching.
These days the team fly the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet and the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules at airshows all over the U.S. as a way of promoting the capability and skills of naval aviators.
When the squadron receives a F/A-18 Hornet from the fleet, which are at the end of their carrier functionality, they make a variety of modifications to make it suitable for their performance requirements. [new.sliven.net]
Cool planes!