djTOY2000":heys6xsa said:
falcongoggles":heys6xsa said:
When I get back to flying the f-16 Viper after knocking some schooling in Italy, I'll snap one with it in the cockpit.
just curious, but what does it take (or how would) a civilian get a chance to go for a flight in a military fighter jet ??
Unfortunately, it's pretty difficult. There are a lot of great maintenance troops who bust their ass for years and never get a ride. Usually they are reserved for the two or three yearly award winners.
Your options are the following:
Be a celebrity - stupid, but true. If RW, Beast Mode, Tate, etc. haven't gotten a ride by the time I get back, I'll likely send the organization an email and ask if I can take one them for a ride. Hopefully they'll have won a Superb Owl champions by then and this will expedite the paperwork. It would also make it more likely that we could make it into a squadron event and take up a bunch.
Be a politician - sadly they can weasel their way in as well. I took a congresswoman for a ride and she kept saying, "Oh [callsign], Oh [callsign]" when she was excited. My squadron mates busted my balls over that for a long time.
Be rich - At my least base we had "honorary commanders" which was codename for rich guy/gal that was well connected in the community and was an unofficial ambassador for base-local area relations. They got a single ride in the backside of the station wagon/family model (the two seat trainer D-model).
Save someone - Get some press for being a hero and then ask for that to be translated into a ride. The military loves feel good stories.
The problem is that the tactics and information in our jets is classified. In order to take someone up we have to dedicate a flight solely to them and not just throw them in the back while we go about our business. This was not the case years ago when the Viper was much more simple and less capable.
