Be My Wingman
“I feel the need, the need for speed!”
– Top Gun
…we shouted, as we strutted across the tarmac in our flight suits. Our motley crew of three, call-signs The Swede, Joker, and me, Phoenix, were geared up and ready to get our Top Gun on – today we were flying a fighter jet!
Adrenaline coursing through our bodies, I was up first! Even though I was still three hours behind on California time, the multiple cups I coffee I downed only added to my amped-up state.
Under my breath I told myself something I say in times like this, “Damn LDub, what have you gotten yourself into now?!”
You may be wondering, “Okay LDub, how did you get yourself into flying a fighter jet, and why?!
Turn And Burn
Joker, my adrenaline junkie pal, texted me a few months before this crazy adventure and said, “LDub, IT’S TIME! You down?!”
Next, he sent photos of our original flights twenty years ago, where we flew stunt planes – the Extra 300L– with this cool group of former Canadian fighter pilots, in Arizona – Fighter Combat International. Alright, my US military peeps, settle down!
On that trip long ago, my two buddies, call signs Ace and Joker, chose to do dogfights with each other, leaving me to do solo stunts. They told me they didn’t want to get their asses kicked in the air by a girl!
Ever been to an airshow? Ever seen the aerobatics part of the show? That’s what I did!
I remember showing the video I got from my flight to my family. As I excitedly narrated along with the video, I looked at my Dad – the firefighter rockstar-and Brother -the genius rockstar-they were both turning green from the video!
I still proudly have my Aero God plaque, which I earned from this flight for my iron stomach and ability to take some serious G’s in that stunt plane. Reminiscing a bit more, I thought about the insane stunts I did twenty years ago. I was in the front seat of the Extra 300L, the pilot in the rear. He would fly one aerobatic maneuver, then give me the stick and instruct me to perform the maneuver. In true LDub fashion, I had other ideas and said, “Can you fly ALL the stunts first, then I will pick the ones I want to do?”
Sixteen maneuvers later, with one video camera filming me inside the aircraft (yes there was a barf bag and no I didn’t have to use it!), the other camera filming our stunts, I was ecstatic I was still alive, awake and pumped! Thinking about that freakin’ amazing time we had, we couldn’t believe it had been twenty years ago!
IT WAS TIME! Time for the next bucket list wild adventure – this time not aerobatics – this time it was fighter jets or nothing!
You’re here, so I’ll assume you’re hip to my motto, LIVE LIFE FULL OUT! And if you’ve read my other blogs or my About page, you likely know how I roll:
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body. But rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming…WOW what a ride!”
– Kody “Coach” Lane Smith
We all live life on our own terms, so if you want to take a leap of faith or you want to try something you’ve never done before, the only thing holding you back is you, my Friend. I believe in you! You’ve got this!
The Epic Saga Continues
And so it began…Joker started the research and found this great outfit, Incredible Adventures. We signed our names and lives away, booked our flights, packed our gear – had to leave my own flight suit at home, as it was too bulky for my suitcase – and made our way.
Back to the morning of the flight, with me seriously caffeinated and pumped up with adrenaline, I felt something I don’t usually feel – fear.
Was it the coffee? Was it because it was only 5 am California time?
Then the voice in my head kicked in – you know the voice – the nagging doom and gloom voice. It started whining about everything that was wrong with this situation. Responsibilities, kids, danger, blah blah blah.
This kept on until I joined our pilot, who is nothing short of a total badass: Dr. Howard Chipman, MD, Chief Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor with Commercial, Multi-Engine, Glider, Instrument and L-39 Jet ratings, Air Ambulance Services, Aerospace Medicine, Cosmonaut, Major in Civil Air Patrol and the list goes on. And he is one cool dude!
We went through the safety briefing, learning he was the one guy on earth who currently has the most air miles in the L-39 Albatross, a Czech Air Force fighter jet. The voice in my head couldn’t come up with anything more to whine about, so it stopped – phew!
Everything about the aircraft, our flight and what was going to occur, was explained by our awesome pilot. There were no questions in my mind, except I wondered how the hell I would remember even half of this stuff!
Getting into the beautiful L-39 was a process, as there were toeholds with flaps over them constructed in the side of the aircraft, so if you didn’t know to look you would have no idea how to get up the slippery side into the cockpit.
Once I made it into the cockpit, our pilot said, “Don’t touch the ejection handle; it’s very sensitive.” The ejection handle is located between your legs, while seated. He mentioned even squeezing your legs against it might cause problems. I got my morning thigh workout in as I held my legs away from that damn thing!
As he explained the instruments and everything else, my mind raced. I kept envisioning the aerobatics I did in the stunt plane all those years ago and imagined I would be doing those maneuvers in this aircraft, “going Mach 2 with your hair on fire!”–Top Gun
“Ah”, I said to myself. That’s why I felt scared. I assured myself that I wasn’t going on a freakin’ Blue Angels flight, so there was nothing to worry about!
Prepped and ready, flight helmet, headset with mic, five point harness, parachute rig, cockpit closed, all body parts away from ejection handle – the engines fired up and we taxied to takeoff.
Once in the air, I relaxed. We flew a few bank turns, then a few rolls and I continued to relax. Each time we performed another maneuver, he would check in to see how I was doing. I felt as if we were floating.
Memories flooded me about my dreams of flying when I was little. I even considered re-upping when I was in the Army, to go to flight school.
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
– Leonardo Da Vinci
Pretty sure I smiled the entire time, I was in disbelief that this military fighter jet flew so smoothly.
After he flew some fun maneuvers, he instructed me how take control of the aircraft and perform a roll – it was so simple –I DID IT! And another!
As we floated, speeding through the air, he asked on the mic if I wanted to do a fly-by – you remember that scene from Top Gun, right?! I thought holy shit, can this get any more epic?!
The closer we got to ground, the more I felt our speed; we screamed past the airport and back up into the sky, then back again and pulled into land this time.
My adrenaline had turned into pure joy; I felt so good. I thought, “okay LDub, next time is the zero-G flight”, as our pilot offered this adventure as well! What’s on your bucket list? What’s something you can do to feed your soul? Doesn’t need to be a wild adventure if that’s not your thing.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
– Mary Oliver
Make a choice and decide. Do something for you. Life is short and the moments are precious, so make each one count! Every moment and every day is a new chance to LIVE LIFE FULL OUT!
Check out my Blog, How To Kick Ass and Take Names – My Army Beginnings, as I recount the hilarious and memorable moments of my Army Basic Combat Training!
Want More Badass Adventures?
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Loved it! Very exciting and well written!
Awesome thanks Dad!
Great story and sounds like you are living life. I do recall your adventure in the jump seat of the CH-47 during a load training in Germany. Another place that you could consider is Angkor Wat , was there a few years ago and really enjoyed Cambodia, even made it to the Vietnamese border and had tea with the border guards. Keep living to the fullest as you only go around one time in this life. Love you kid.
Thanks Sir! You know I have the fondest memories of our time serving in Germany together, including that awesome experience in that CH-47 jump seat with night vision goggles! Much love to you and Mary Ellen and your family and come back soon!-Laurie
Yay!! That’s badass.
Thanks Brian! Come back soon!
Hey Lips!
I had no idea you were a stunt pilot, and I noticed you are upside down in that pic. Yikes!
You crazy girl!
Thanks Auntie! And you know I’m no stunt pilot, just adventurous! Come back soon!
It’s hard to come by educated people about this subject, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Thanks Rich! Appreciate the awesome feedback and come back soon!
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I found this during my search for something relating to this.
Thank you Dionna! Glad you found some useful info and a few laughs! More Adventure Travel blogs coming soon, so check back often. Wanna get the new blogs as they are published? Join our Tribe!
You are rocking it airborne! So much gratitude…
Hey hey Ranger! Thank you and HOO-AH! Come back soon!
Many thanks for your kind comments! Visit again soon or sign up to join the LIVE LIFE FULL OUT! Tribe and become part of our community!
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