Ode to High-G Flight
by
Kalikiano Kalei
Friday, February 29, 2008
Rated "G" by the Author.
 Share
 Print  Save  Become a Fan
|
Today's modern high performance fighter aircraft can withstand more Gs than its human occupants and that's not factoring in the 'speed jeans', Valsalva 'grunting', 35 degree canted back ejection seats, and all the range of physiological tricks used by pilots to 'beat G'. Returning from a typical ACM (aerial combat maneuvering) flight can make you feel like you've been beat up and tossed out of Studio 51 by a bouncer. [PS: for a truly hilarious, but true account of what a high-G flight can be like, dial up the URL below the poem for Jack Reilly's story about a 'media orientation' experience he had in an F-14A Tomcat.]
|
Ode to High-G Flight
Pullin’ Gs,
Feel the squeeze,
Brain somewhere
Below the knees.
Grunt out loud,
Slashing cloud,
Getting sick,
Not feelin' proud!
Valsalva’s fine
But not divine,
Yankin’ stick
An’ flyn dakine!
Redout nears,
So drop the gears.
Flare and land;
Forget your fears!
Shut ‘er down,
Right on the ground,
The O-Club awaits:
A beery round!
|
|
A wild high-G flight in an F-14 Tomcat
|
Want to review or comment on this
poem?
Click here to login!
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Click here for your Membership!
|
| Reviewed by High Country Girl |
7/16/2009 |
|
| Awesome, I could feel the G forces all the way downunder :) |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Karen Palumbo |
2/29/2008 |
|
Wopnderful description of what many experience. Have a few friends that used to fly missions from the Air Force and Navy, always seemed like such a wild ride, nicely done...
Be always safe,
Karen |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Rebecca Lerwill |
2/29/2008 |
|
A friend of ours flies Hornets for the Marine Corps. He's done two rounds in Iraq. He has described the whole G-Force drama in similar, although less poetic words. When I was fixin' to do a little stunt plane ride he just commented: Better eat bananas; they taste the same both ways. LOL
However, if I may proudly add - I didn't puke and I had a ball!!
Thanks for sharing,
Becca~ |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner |
2/29/2008 |
|
*Salute* Those who pilot fighters earn their wings - I am amazed by the maneuevers (know I spelled that wrong LOL), like watching an F-16 go from horizontal to straight up vertical in nothing flat - or a C-5 do a short runway takeoff - wow Excellent write, well done. You solo-d and earned a cold one with this high powered takeoff!
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla (USAF) |
|
|
|
|
