Ken Middleton Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Had the extremely fortunate experience of an incentive flight with the 102nd FW today. I am beat right now, so will just post a few pics and a bit of text. Had an OUTSTANDING pilot, KIMO, and we did an unrestricted departure at 400 knots to 10000 feet, flew over Marthas Vineyard, did a low approach to Nantucket and high speed departure (I am sure the rich folks loved that), and did a bit of aerobatics off of Provincetown, but had problems with my right ear clearing, and then some touch and gos back at Otis....nicest weather we have had in months. I was not allowed to take a camera unfortunately. Will post some of the launch shots taken by the 102nd once I get them. Thanks for looking, Cheers Ken and, no, I didn't puke Before getting strapped in with my son Michael Me in the back on one of our touch and gos And me getting out drenched :) Link to post Share on other sites
General Grievous Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Wow! Lucky b*stard! :) GG Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 88 Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 WOW!!!! I'm glad you had a great time in the air Ken, a well deserved ride I guess. Looking forward to seeing the other shots. :) Dan Link to post Share on other sites
kstater94 Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Ken, For all you do, this flight's for you! Congrats on getting the chance! I look forward to seeing the photos Cheers! John Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Filak Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Ken, I've said it many times before, but I can think of no one who is more deserving of the opportunity. I'm glad to see that all went as planned today, and I'm really happy for you. Link to post Share on other sites
Rapier01 Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Sweet. So jealous. Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 (edited) Ken, Glad it finally happened, always nice to get a ride with a MiG-killer. Regards, Murph Edited July 8, 2006 by Murph Link to post Share on other sites
Sabre Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Simply outstanding! So happy for you! You look quite natural in Nomex...both shots, before & after, give the appearance of an old hand at it. Looking very forward to the pix! Good to go, Jim Link to post Share on other sites
bigpaul Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Dumb question, what is an incentive flight? Link to post Share on other sites
g0_command0 Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! one of the things i can only dream about Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Ken...get a hair cut.. Congrats on the flight! Link to post Share on other sites
ThePhantomTwo Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Crap,22 years in the Air Force and ANG working on aircraft and all I got rides in were trash haulers and gas passers!Glad to see the unit gave one of thier biggest supporters a incentive ride ....ok,now what did the pilots knick-name you?C'mon,we all want to know........ Glad you were a no bagger,if you missed the bag,the crew chief would have had the cleaning supplies waiting for you at shut-down Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 I am so envious Ken! Congratulations on getting one! I especially like that second pic of you raising both arms. If I were in the back seat, I know I would've probably done more arm movements. I look foward to seeing the rest of your pics. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Stephens Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Congratulations Ken - and beautiful weather too!!! The shots look great, excellent rememberances for your scrapbook!!! Mike Link to post Share on other sites
speedlimit Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Hey ken what a ride huh? My turn!!! LOL Eric Link to post Share on other sites
CRASCA Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Ken, Way to go Man! Glad you got to go up!! It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy! I hate you! Craig Link to post Share on other sites
boom175 Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Hey Ken I have been bending wrenches for 26 years and no ride for me but,,if anyone should get it it should be you!!! I salute you for all you do for the guard and the military. Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Congratulations on the ride. What were the circumstances of your being selected for such an honor? :D Link to post Share on other sites
HAZER Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Way to go, Ken! That is just awesome. Must feel so good to have a dream come to reality! HAZER Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 That's just great news. Hopefully there will be a lot more photos of this event yet to come. Link to post Share on other sites
viper handler Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Welcome to the 'JOYRIDE CLUB'. :D Andrew. Link to post Share on other sites
fulcrum Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Wow, great experience indeed! :D Congrats, Ken! Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Great News Ken, Congratulations and Most Deserving !!! Nice to see you had your Special Crew Chief along too !!! I Envy You !!! Gregg Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 ;) :P You da' man, Ken! Congrats bud! As Steve said, you definately deserved the opportunity. Cheers, Alby Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted July 8, 2006 Author Share Posted July 8, 2006 Guys, thanks much for the kind words. I will have more pics, just have to wait for them. It certainly was a humbling experience and quite the honor. I couldn't have asked for a better pilot, and as Murph said, a MiG killer one as well. I also will be doing an article for ARC covering everything from how the flight came about (secret to me, and huge thanks to my wife, for 2.5 years working on it with the unit) to training and the flight itself. A couple of prominent guys here on ARC were contacted as references, and I didn't even know it. A huge thanks to them - they know who they are. ;) Thanks again guys, Cheers Ken Link to post Share on other sites
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