Riding with Redline Aerobatics

I was contacted earlier this week to see if I would be interested in a media flight with Brent Handy of Redline Aerobatics.  Crazy awesome, right? He's here for the Abbotsford Air Show and is a Fighter Pilot, A2 Flight Instructor and former Lead Solo Snowbird.  I was so torn and had to decide quickly.  I'm quite adventurous but very afraid of heights!  Finally, I decided the night before that I would love to do it as it's a chance of a lifetime.

{Standing together in front of his Pitts S-2B}

Gary and the kids were there to watch and take pictures.  Well, to be honest, Gary was also there in case I chickened out because then hopefully he could go up.  Although, I'm not sure that his 6'3" frame could fit in there.

Brent was fantastic and put me right at ease.  He has young kids like mine and was very friendly.   He told me that it was okay to scream and that he was a little afraid of heights too (did he mean that part?).


After getting my parachute on, and making sure I knew how to use it, we got in!  It's a tight fit but I felt very secure.  A parachute, folks.  Just in case.

High five for each kid before take off.

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Initially I thought we would just do a `simple' flight but then realized it's probably best to do some of the tricks that he is famous for!

 I was going to take my camera up with me but at the last minute, we decided on the GoPro.  You can see some hilarious and incredibly embarrassing video of me doing some aerobatics here.  We did this THREE times!  I was not aware that the control tower could hear me.  Not that I would've been any quieter.  I definitely process my fear through talking/screaming/laughing.  Totally unflattering angle but the safest place to hold the GoPro!  I will post another video later of the whole ride condensed into a minute or so.

It was about 10 minutes in total and I am so glad that I did it!  I think I would've regretted it if I didn't.

On solid ground again! I did it! I'm alive!

The kids each got a chance to sit inside.  You can see that it's clear under his seat.

 Brent is scheduled to perform Friday at 6 pm (oh how I wish we could go to the night show but it wouldn't work with Nya) and Saturday and Sunday at 11 am.  I really hope that we can go while he's doing his thing and I'm not in the plane!  Brent told me that his wife has never flown with him, so to Brent's wife, `If I can do it, so can you!!'.

Thank you, Brent!    My dad is going to be soooo jealous.  Looking forward to the Abbotsford Air Show, anyone else going?  Would any of you do what I did?!

Love,
Louise