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Civilians hitch a ride with the Blue Angels

  • Published
  • By Bekah Clark
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The U.S. Navy Blue Angels provided two community leaders and a member of the local media the opportunity to ride in a Blue Angels' F/A-18 Hornet prior to Scott Air Force Base's air show, Airpower Over the Midwest, Sept. 8.

Farrell Shelton, the head football coach for Eureka High School, and Mark Sutherland, the lead communicator for Monsanto, along with Larry Conners, KMOV News Channel 4 anchor, received the "rides of their lives" during orientation flights in Blue Angel No. 7, piloted by Navy Lt. C.J. Simonsen.

Orientation flights like these are given before many Blue Angels performances in an effort to give members of the American public a chance to experience airpower at its finest.

The day began with a safety briefing given by Petty Officer 2nd Class Chad Swanson, the crew chief for Blue Angel No. 7. The briefing covered everything from flight physiology to risks and safety as well as tips to avoid airsickness and blacking out during the flight for these first time riders.

"We're not here to have you get airsick; we're here to give you an enjoyable flight," said Petty Officer Swanson. "We give you all of this information so you can do that."

Following the brief, it was time for the first rider, Mr. Shelton, to put on the flight suit issued to him for the flight and head to the aircraft.

In one and a half hour increments, the riders would arrive at the aircraft and, with the help of Petty Officer Swanson, get strapped into the jet and prepare for takeoff. Shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Simonsen would join the rider, go over any last minute questions and details, and they were off.

Mr. Sutherland was up next and after a thumbs-up to his family watching from the grass, he was launched into the air the same way the other two riders of the day were: zero to 2,000 feet in four seconds in a straight vertical takeoff.

After Mr. Conners' orientation flight, he said, "The take-off was everything I thought it would be."

The reaction to the day's events was unanimous.

"It was incredible. Absolutely indescribable," said Mr. Shelton.

The other two riders whole-heartedly agreed.

"I am a pilot, but after that flight, I'm reminded that I just have a pilot's license," said Mr. Conners. "The Blue Angels are real pilots. I have covered many important stories in my career and had several life lasting experiences, but (this) event goes to the top of the list."