My flight with the Thunderbirds- the Take-off

July 8, 2009 a day etched permanently into my memory. I flew with the Thunderbirds at the Peoria Airport. I was one of 3 selected by the local TV station as an "Everyday Action Hero" and was selected by the Thunderbirds to have a flight with them before the Prairie Air Show. The in cockpit video malfunctioned and this is the only in flight video that I have. It was an incredible experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. My mom is running the video camera and is giving the commentary when we come over the hill and into sight. She is saying exactly what I was thinking, just the PG version. I was the fifth non-media/non-celebrity civilian to EVER fly with the Thunderbirds, it was a huge honor and I cannot thank my wife enough for nominating me for the contest. The crying at the end is my 2 year old son Maverick. He was OK with me getting into the plane and taxiing out but when we flew by and went straight up he thought I was gone forever. My pilot Major Anthony "SPLIT" Mulhare brought me back to him 45 minutes later, after I had more fun than I can ever recall.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Thunderbirds
• USAF
• prairie
• airshow
• air
• show
• action
• hero
• thunderbird