The view from an F18 fighter jet never looked more amazing.

I would love to have a ride in a fighter jet someday.

 

I have asked jet fighter pilots if they had the coolest job in the world. Most said that sea plane pilots or P-51 Mustang instructors/pilots had them.

 

"requesting permission for a fly-by"
"That's a negative, ghostrider, the pattern is full"

 

I just loved this video. Sensational.

Also, what is the song? I have heard it a few times...very catchy.

 

Awolnation / Sail

 

Fantastic!

Wondering about the Red Star on the other plane... it's not a Sukhoi or MiG...

Great video.

 

"Wondering about the Red Star on the other plane... it's not a Sukhoi or MiG..."

One of the Aggressor Squadrons.......

Dogdish

 

Yup. They're a trainer squadron that has planes painted up as the enemy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggressor_squadron

 

That is just too ****ing awesome. The sound of those engines is just about the only one that gives me chills besides a prancing pony...

Reminds me of the Bill Engvall skit about flying with the Thunderbirds...

 

Great video! I had thought maybe it was Canadian Forces until the shot where you can see "NAVY" and the red star.

 

Thank you. I *LOVE* it. Had heard the song a few times before, but didn't know what it was. Really nice, biting lyrics, set to a very catchy/jangly tune that seems to work. The reverbs really reflect the militant, irreverent nature of the words.

Sorry for the digression.

 

How does someone get the opportunity to do a ride along in a military jet here in the US? I'm sure you can just pay for one in Russia, here I'm guessing you need connections?

 

Unless you are a member of the media or maybe a star who will be good for recruiting purposes you are pretty much out of luck for riding in a US military jet.

 

For a country that's in the hole, wouldn't be a bad idea to set aside a few 1st generation Bugs for rides.

 

You sure about this? I thought there were a few places where you could go get rides in military trainer jets?

Look at this: http://www.flyfighterjet.com/

 

Yeah, you can get rides in Russian jets in Russia and a few other places but they are NOT the latest and greatest fighters. Most all of those rides are in L-39s or other trainer types.

As for rides in US aircraft it's gonna be nearly impossible, particularly if you want something recently made.

 

If you could afford it, I think a ride in a Mig-29 or SU-27 would definitely be comparable to anything we have, short of a raptor of course. Even some of the older cold war soviet aircraft are still pretty impressive, albiet really really ugly

 

A civilian wouldn't be able to tell the difference, performance wise, from the back seat.

I will (hopefully) get to ride in an F/A-18F next year, and everyone tells me that the performance envelope is so far outside of what you are prepared for there is no way to describe it.

 

The biggest difference between taking a paid ride in Russia and being in the back seat of a US military aircraft would probably be a matter of training. Though I suppose a civilian without any significant flying experience still couldn't tell the difference.

Incentive ride? That would be pretty cool if you get to go.

 

I DREAM of riding along on a cat shot, taking the stick and doing some rolls and loops, and a trap. Or going with the Thunderbirds and doing whatever they allowed me to do. Or going up in a dual control P-51 and doing the whole nine yards. But the best would be to take a Stearman up solo like I used to and wheel around through the clouds, and just relive the joy of flight by doing anything I wanted to do.

 

Join the military and make friends.

 

Really you have to join the military and be in some sort of flying job, it takes a fair amount of effort to get a non flying person onboard. Once a year our First Sergeant goes on a flight and requires a bunch of paperwork, and he is a part of the Squadron.

I'm guessing you don't live near a military installation?