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Daily Dispatch online news editor Jan Hennop was probably the luckiest guy in the world on Friday when he was taken for a ride of a lifetime in a two-seater fighter jet. He and DispatchOnline’s Thando Gqamane shot the following video below and Jan describes his flying experience:
“Having to work and bearing the brunt of my colleagues’ jokes about riding the “vomit comet”, I just couldn’t get through Friday soon enough to get in the car and to the airport.
After arriving at the Border Aviation Club, my family and I, together with AlgoaFM’s Charlton Tobias were escorted out to the apron where the two gleaming fighter jets were waiting for us.
By then, I was so excited I could barely contain myself -- but also a little apprehensive: what if we don’t make our loops and smack into the ground?
I said my goodbyes and my anxiety evaporated as my pilot, Captain Pierre Gouws handed me a flight suit. It was time to get dressed and face the music…
Gouws explained what were to expect -- especially when we were starting our aerobatics: “Tighten your stomach muscles and pretend like your holding a crap,” he said, laughing.
Gouws added: “By no means hold on to anything but your seat belt. By no means grab the two handles between your legs unless I tell you to.”
Pulling those two little handles would mean a high speed exit out of the cockpit in the ejection seat -- something that can cause serious injury and possibly death.
And with that, it was time to climb on board and be strapped in.
The L-39’s cockpit is a little crammed and my heart was pounding. The adrenalin pumped through my veins and all thoughts of disaster was long gone.
I had a chance to have a good look at the dials as Gouws was topping up with avgas (jet fuel) and getting ready to fire up the engine.
A low whine rapidly turned into a high-pitched scream as Gouws let go of the brakes and we were taxiing past the big jet liners parked at the East London terminal building.
It was the first time ever in my life that I could see the wings on BOTH sides of the plane and that’s when it hit me like a hammer: this is real and you’re off on a ride of a lifetime.
I know this is a terrible cliche, but as we throttled up for take-off, I could hear the Top Gun theme song playing in my head.
A light kick -- and off we went, rapidly building up speed. The earth fell away below and I had to control myself to not whoop with excitement.
We turned right and head off over the sea at Kayser’s Beach where the real fun started.
“We’re starting aerobatics -- are you ready,” Captain Gouws’ voice came to life through the built-in earphones of my fighter pilot’s helmet.
“Let’s go,” I replied as my muscles tightened.
We went into a dive. I could see the ocean below and then we started pulling G-forces as we pulled out of the dive an entered the loop in an aerial ballet.
“We’re doing 5g’s -- are you OK?” Captain Gouws again.
People want to know what it feels like to weigh five times your own bodyweight.
Well, I suppose it’s a little like being a fly and being sucked down a drainpipe.
Your whole body gets pinned to your seat. Your face feels like it’s going to run off your skull -- and your arms and legs become lead.
The easiest way to experience it is to hold your arm in front of you and try to pick it up while somebody else pushes it down.
But somehow it’s also one of the most exhilarating feelings I have ever experienced.
While in a dive during one of the loops, far below us, a while jumped, making a magnificent splash in the ocean. I couldn’t help but think that he noticed the planes and jumped out of the water to have a better look.
It was over all too soon, but Captain Gouws had one more trick up his sleeve: buzzing the airport.
He opened the throttle and we zoomed past the field at high speed, giving everybody a bit of a wake-up call!
We pulled up, wing-overed left and came in to land.
I couldn’t stop smiling.
The experience rate as one of my best ever and as I walked away I realised how privileged I am to to a job like this.
As for the pilot, I need not have worried. Captain Pierre Gouws the next day, on Saturday, showed why he is rated as probably one of the top air display pilots in the country at the Elvin Extreme Airshow.
I may be mistaken, but a think I saw him loop an SAA Boeing 737, his “other” toy when he’s not flying the L 39.”
Jan’s video: (Note- Due to technical considerations we were unable to film the flight itself- see below for YouTube video of L39 jets in formation).
No YouTube? Click here to watch (25MB -- please allow for buffering)
L39’s in flight:
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8 Comments Already, Leave Yours Too
Teagan, the Mustang won the first round, the plane won the second….of course by then the plane had gotten up to speed …… was pretty “cool” to watch though.
Oh yes Jan…..I am STILL very green with envy here! May take me awhile to get over it…..
I believe I can fly…………..
@ Ex-Com who won the race??? I know the driver’s family quite well but did not have time to stay on saturday Would have loved to. But my little boy got a bit tired & nagging so we left early.
Thanks folks. Due to the flight programme being so full on Saturday, our prize winner Steven could not go for his flip up to Dwesa just yet. We are in the process of making arrangements for him to go shortly, most likely this weekend. – Online News Editor
Jan,The dispatch team and Elvin Foods, thanks for the Tickets. The Airshow was a blast. The highlight of the show for me, was the race between a Ford Mustang and a light Aircraft.Automobile against Aircraft. Thanks guys, much appreciated…
Jan you do realise I hate you right now! I would do just about anything to have a flight in a fighter plane. Lucky, lucky you.
jan jy lyk net soos Tom Cruise.
Hey Jan, how about photos of the air show itself as well? You are making us too jealous!
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