I turned up at Fullerton airfield in Buena Park, near Anaheim in LA at 0930 and saw on the board that I was (as expected) slated for two flights. I was welcomed by the instructors for the day, ‘Nails’ and ‘Party’. Both are ex-Navy pilots of different generations. Nails flew F8’s and Party (Marty Stowe) flew F14’s and now flies for American Airlines. One of Marty’s claims to fame is that he is in a scene from the film ‘Top Gun’ as he was in the navy at the time.
I was partnered with Marty and he helped me suit up with a natty USAF flight suit, helmet with integrated headphones, parachute and lifejacket. We went through the safety drills then sat down to the pre-flight briefing.
Flight 1
First flight was for both me and my ‘enemy’ to practice manoeuvres that would place us in a position bring guns to bear. These included high and low yo-yo’s, loops, high speed turns and barrel rolls etc. The principles and importance of ‘lead and lag’ were explained as were the rules of engagement (hard deck at 2500’, no forward quarter engagements, lose sight, lose the fight etc).
Following the briefing, we went out to the aircraft, me to the Extra 300 (yippee) and my foe to the Marchetti 260. The company dictates that the instructor must do both the take off and landing, but apart from that and demonstrations of manoeuvres, I flew for the rest of the time.
As I am 6’ 2” and 210lbs, you don’t so much get into the Extra 300 as put it on! I flew from the front seat and had only two dials to worry about, airspeed and altitude. The visibility in the bubble canopy was fantastic. It was a warm and sunny day and I fully expected to get roasted the minute we buttoned up, but it wasn’t too bad as it was not at all humid – not something I am used to from the UK.
I have not done any formation work before so was pleased that we were going to fly formation out to the aerobatic area off the coast south of Long Beach and east of Catalina Island. I found the formation work not as difficult as I expected (possibly because the leader was holding a very stable course), but it certainly does take concentration and fine adjustments, it must be easy to get it wrong and attempt to ‘over-control’ and end up chasing too many things at once.
After checking the alignment of the gunsights and tracking on each other in turn, he then played the part of the ‘dumb bogie’ and maintained a steady 30 degree turn while I carried out low and high yo yo’s. All good fun, but reasonably tame, pulling no more than 3G or so. We practiced one loop (which was brilliant fun) and I was invited to do a few aileron rolls (aka victory rolls) which I duly did. The first was a bit ropey, but the rest felt much better.
After this, back to base, again with me holding the rear formation slot. I handed over close to the airfield where Marty carried out a sort of formation ‘run and break’ join using a military style ‘racetrack’ circuit and sideslipping final approach (as the Extra 300 has no flaps, is a taildragger and has a huge nose which you can’t really see over). I have to say, he really greased it on with a perfect 3 pointer nice and gentle with no hint of a bounce.
The debrief was carried out on two video screens, showing one of the three camera views from each aircraft so that we could see what both aircraft were seeing and doing at the same time. What a good learning tool that was.
Following the debrief, we re-hydrated, drained the lizards and relaxed for an hour or so while the planes were refuelled.
Flight 2
Full briefing again with a reprise on the basic combat manoeuvres, then out to the planes and airborne. Again, my chance to get some formation flying in as we flew out to the area.
On arrival at the area, we gained height up to about 6000’, then positioned so that we crossed in opposite directions flying ‘left to left’ level at about 160kts. At this point the instructors announce ‘fights on!’ and we manoeuvre as previously practiced to try to get on the opponents tail. It is fair to say that the instructors are advising you a fair bit and keeping a good lookout for the opponent, but the certainly expect you to watch the opponent yourself and have your own intercept ideas.
I try a low yo yo, but overdo it by pulling waaaayyy too hard in turn and induce a high speed stall. Started with wing buffet then quickly ‘snap rolled’ me out of the turn as it dropped a wing. I realised my opponent was gaining in the turn, so promptly did the same thing again, and again and again! This was not helped by my opponent’s instructor cheating on the radio by saying ‘pull harder Steve!’, which I obligingly did! My opponent put me out of my misery and shot me down as the Extra 300 obligingly belched smoke to indicate the kill.
After a few words of advice from Marty, we start the second engagement. I won’t bore anyone by describing each engagement in details (6 in total) and will jumble them up and generalise. Bottom line is that I won the next 5 engagements (although I think my opponent, who was an Air Combat pilot-in-training, was being kind to me). My opponent’s instructor tried the same ‘radio dis-information’ thing on the last fight, but I had by this time I had learned!
Highlights were at least two loops with half rolls on the way down, a couple of successful yo yo’s and other manoeuvres that clocked up nearly 1G negative and 5.3G positive on the ‘G-metre’. It is absolutely amazing to pull hard loops and rolls and see the sea and the sky change places and at crazy angles – just like a simulator except that you don’t have the radio chatter, not to mention the G to worry about.
I have to say that although I felt the G I didn’t seem to notice it too much as I was fixated on getting behind my opponent. On a few occasions, my instructor asked if I was OK as I suspect he didn’t want the inside of his Extra 300 pebble-dashed with vomit. I was having far too much fun to feel sick and felt absolutely fine throughout. I think it is easier if it is you flying the manoeuvres rather than being a passenger.
After a couple of victory rolls, I rejoined the Marchetti in formation and returned to Fullerton.
After the landing, I had just got out and into the flight centre when my wife turned up after a heavy day’s shopping to join us for the debrief. I have to say (and my wife commented) that Marty looked drenched in sweat while I was fine – perhaps it is a lot harder having a green student throw you around the sky in unexpected moves from the back seat – of course it could just be that it was a hot day!
The mistakes of the first flight were highlighted and potential opportunities that I could have taken in other flights suggested. All useful learning points.
Conclusion
As part of the program, I got a ‘free’ A2 leather flight jacket with the appropriate badges to sew onto them. I mentioned to my new American friends that I would get laughed / sniggered at back in the UK for having badges on the jacket. They looked confused and asked why – I just couldn’t explain and frankly don’t care anyway – the badges are going on, so smirk all you like! I really do find the American view of things so much more like my own, perhaps it is my Canadian background?
Oh, and the handle they bestowed one me was agreed to be ‘Grimace’ after they saw the determined facial contortions I was using on the videocam trying for the kill – total concentration is my excuse!
Did I have fun and was it worth £1000 odd? ABSOLUTELY!
What a FANTASTIC day and what a nice bunch of people. I got to:
• Throw an Extra 300 around the sky,
• Try formation flying for the first time,
• Perform many of the basic aerobatics unaided,
• Log a total of 2.5 hours as P U/T,
• Shoot the bad guys down 5 times (he was being kind),
• Have an A2 flying jacket that I can cover with badges,
• Shot full of enough adrenaline to last for a month,
• Full videos of both sessions that I can bore people with for hours,
IT REALLY DOES NOT GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS!
Now, if the ‘Ultimate High’ in the UK can equip their aircraft with gunsights, cameras and smoke and whistle up LA style predictable weather, I would be over to Kemble like a shot.
PS - To my wife's friends (you know who you are) - Yes - I am a spoiled brat!
