My Special Birthday Celebration
 

One's personal problems are the worst in the world, though in reality, most are probably quite minor.

I had a milestone birthday last year but felt that my aerobatic flight was not quite extreme enough. So I found something else, no, not the "vomit comet", not another sky dive, but nuttier than my normal roller coasters.

Here in England, the only "wing walking" available, is being strapped to a frame on top of an aircraft before take off and remaining strapped there until after landing. Whilst flying, the aircraft does various aerobatics.

I finally found a location in North America, way out in Washington State, beyond Seattle.
You could watch this three minute video of someone else doing it
https://youtu.be/SnIO91dzgN4?si=Ta8-yZtfsfz_8qAT

During this flight, once airborne, one climbs out of the cockpit, up onto the wing, straps in, then the pilot performs the aerobatics, then get back in before climbing out on the wing, to fly Harry Potter style and go through more aerobatics, whatever turns you on?

Since two months ago I had everything in place, trip, training, flights, car hire, accommodation, cash, visas,

BUT THIS MORNING, IT ALL CHANGED

The Federal Aviation Authority has BANNED it..........I am devastated, though not as much as the family who ran the business.

:eek: Blimey! You're quite the daredevil, I've never been on the inside of a aeroplane never mind strapped to the outside of one :panic:


It would be a https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2l...f4Dm/giphy.gif for me.



:D:p::D

Ironically, the most dangerous part of flight is the take off and landing, so the Civil Aviation Authority in England think it's okay to be strapped on top for this. The Company I was booked with insist on one being inside the cockpit until airborne. The participant has an attachment to the aircraft even when moving around. There is four hours of training before getting airborne.

Several years ago one of the members Fred Spencer did a wing walk on top of a Bi-plane at Silverstone. I remember someone filmed him strapped to the plane in flight. Fred passed away from something unrelated to the flight and he is with the Angels RIP

Frrd, have you explored the flying clubs around the UK if you must really do it for a buzz.

One of my friends climbed into a shark cage wearing a wet suit and scuba gear while the cage was doused in raw meat and lowered beneath the boat, so that he could get a buzz from being up close with a great white. He paid the tour company in South Africa £1000 for the experience, rather him than me.

Phil, the only place in the World where you are trained, then allowed to climb about on an aircraft, is that which I had booked, near Seattle. The British Civil Aviation Authority do not allow moving around, i.e. Wing Walking. But with their wisdom, they never seem to envisage an aircraft flipping either on take off or landing.

Oddly, the shark diving is not for me as I believe that's not fair on them, but that"s me.

I remember the Utterly Butterfly team allowing 'guests' to wingwalk at various shows I've been to but never from climbing in and out of the cockpit.

Gutted for you Fred, I know how much you were looking forward to it. Will you still be visiting the States? Maybe take in a few coasters? Not the same, I know, but a nice holiday nonetheless.

Cliff

Thanks Cliff, the plan had been to visit a major aircraft museum whilst in Seattle. Next, fly on to Toronto where there is a fantastic theme park, and spend several days having to endure roller coasters.

Now, the four day slot which was to include the Wing Walk, will be spent around Seattle. Boeing's establishments are understandably going through some changes, so may not happen, but Seattle has some strange history. The aviation museum which was always a target, will be visited.

The normal morning trek doesn't now feel so important, and it will be good to reduce some exercises which were in preparation for that lost event.

Catch up with you both soon,

Fred

I think that your sig says it all! Hats off to you mate :bowdown:
However,


I passed on my 75 when I realised that I could no longer crawl about under and over it like I used to, to give her the care and attention that a car of that age needs. I still do the odd bit of work on Spotty the Sportage but as those lovely ladies in the Corrs say, it "leaves me breathless" and everything aches for a lot longer these days! I have realised my limits!


PS I would love to be able to leave just one of those gorgeous Corrs girls breathless! :D Don't tell her indoors or she won't give me my pills!


Take care, Mike
A pause for thought with planes!

Hmm, thanks for sharing those thoughts Mike.
Fred (planenut)