In November,
our Steiger made history
when he became the first to cross America's Zion National
Park by hot air balloon. He's now made three daring crossings
in a carefully planned series of 10 Zion National Park expeditions.
We
asked him to help explain what makes his ballooning over
Zion so incredible. Here's a bit of what he had to
say:
"Like any of my Alpine Crossings over mountainous
terrain or flights across a body of water, there quite simply
is no place to land. The terrain in Zion is particularly
treacherous with its monumental geological sandstone formations,
isolated buttes and 1500’ slot canyons. These elements
combine to pose a formidable challenge. Far from going over
Niagara Falls in a barrel this has been a highly engineered
and researched project, which has required weeks of preparation.Significant
pre-flight planning and an intimate knowledge of the wind
patterns of the area are required to make a flight of this
caliber."
This description of his most recent Zion makes it clear
that a balloon flight with Steiger is no wine country tour:
"Flight 3 of the 10-flight expedition
launched from Kolob Reservoir on November 16 after scratched
attempts on the two previous days. Utilizing N and
NW winds at varying altitudes up to 21 mph we crossed over
the monumental geological sandstone formations and 1500’
slot canyons on a 5 hour and 15 min. flight to the Coral
Pink Sand Dunes. A “postage stamp” landing
in a gap within a tall stand of pinion pines required a
vertical envelope deflation depositing the fabric in a 576
lb. heap next to the basket rather than the preferred horizontal
downwind deflation method which would have required about
120’ of clear meadow."
There's still time to join Steiger on one or more of these
historic Zion crossings. The special flights will continue
through the middle of January. Balloon skydives are also
available and make incredible holiday gifts. For details,
send
us an email or give us a call.
(After Zion, Steiger plans
to head to Europe to cross the Swiss Alps and then on to Chile
for an Andes crossing. You can join him on those balloon expeditions
too. For info, contact
us.) - Zion photos courtesy of David J West
We
know the sample
itinerary of our new four day Covert
Ops Counter Terror Adventure near Miami sounds a little
intense, but don't let it scare you. You
might leave tired and sporting a few bruises and
sore muscles, but you're not joining a real counter terror
unit. The training is real but the mission is fun. Any kidnapping
or handcuffing is only temporary ;)
Our new Covert Ops Adventure
is under the command of Israeli Special Forces Veteran Garret
Machine and takes you inside the world of an elite undercover
operative. You'll learn pistol shooting, anti-ambush techniques
and Israeli martial arts skills, plus a whole lot more.
At the end of the program, US citizens will be qualified
to apply for a State of Florida Concealed Weapons Permit,
valid in 34 different states.
You
can be part of our very first Miami Covert
Ops Adventure, January 26th-29th. The $3895 price includes
expert training, use of all necessary equipment, four nights
lodging, most meals and some great extras.
One
Great Hollywood Top Gun Movie Leads to Another, and Another,
and Another
Doug
made his very first Hollywood
Top Gun movie back in 2008, teaming up with one of our
incredible Hollywood Top Gun pilots to produce a short video
in the L-39 fighter jet. Since then, he's been back
in California every year to film a sequel.
It could be that he's getting ready for his own fighter jet
film festival, but we think he just really loves being filmed
in the L-39 as it performs rolls, loops and more.
To learn more about our Hollywood
Top Gun Adventure, visit our website or send
us an email. Introductory programs start at $2950
and include flight time, production services and raw video.
Editing services are available for an additional $550.
Gift certificates are available for the wannabe action movie
star in your life.
Be
sure to check out our company Facebook page when you have
a little free time. We post photos and new adventure info
to our Facebook
page before we post it anywhere else. There's a good
chance we'll be posting some great stuff soon...hint, hint.
SUBSCRIBE
TO INCREDIBLE NEWS
follow
flymigs on Twitter
|
|
|
In
our October newsletter, we told you how much fun Mags
had becoming "the first Irish girl" to fly
a MiG over Russia. She's since provided us with a
very detailed description of her flight that we think
other pilots, like her, will appreciate.
"The test pilot started the engines and did the
engine power checks on the runway. The power and
force of the engine checks felt earth shattering.
Once
we were cleared for take-off the pilot took-off
taking a right hand turnout over the airfield.
At approx 4km altitude the test pilot announced that
I had control. He instructed me to fly the aircraft
at an attitude of 20 degrees up to an altitude of
8km and then he instructed me to reduce the attitude
to 15 degrees followed by 10 degrees until we reached
an altitude of 12km.
Having reached altitude of 12km he instructed
me to fly straight and level on a heading of 045 degrees.
He then instructed me to perform gentle turns of 15
degree bank to the right and the left. Our speed
at this point was approx 560km per hour. At 12 km
the test pilot took control and began to build
up speed while maintaining an altitude of 12km. We
soon reached supersonic speeds of Mach 1 and
before long we had reached 1.94 Mach.
Once Mach 1.94 was reached Sergei the test pilot
raised the needle nose of the MiG and we headed
straight to the Edge of Space. This was a pure adrenaline
rush. Within minutes were were at the Edge of Space
soaring through the stratosphere. Seeing the blackness
and infinity of space against the backdrop of
the blueness of the atmosphere felt very humbling. I
was one of the fastest and highest human beings at
that moment in time. I was in heaven.
Like all good things in life the
moment passed and before I knew it we were heading
back down into the atmosphere and soon settled at
an altitude of 12km. There the chief test pilot began performing
an array of thrilling aerobatics. First he did a loop
and then he asked me if I would like to perform one
myself. I didn't hesitate and before I knew it I had
control again and I was pulling back the stick until
it passed 90 degrees. The loop was completed
smoothly and I was ecstatic.
The
test pilot then performed rolls which were followed
by several over-wings and inverted flight. This was
then topped by a tail-slide which for me was the mother
of all maneuvres. Throughout the aerobatics and G-loading
I felt the pressure suit doing its work ensuring blood
was pumped to my brain. Shortly after this we
then flew back to the airfield where he finished his
display by performing a low altitude pass at 15m.
Soon after we landed and were back on the apron.
In this flight we reached an altitude
of 20,400 meters, speed 2030km/h, Mach 1.94 and G-load
6.0.
Once
we landed I climbed out of the MiG and hugged
this supersonic pilot. What an amazing skilled
pilot. We traveled back to the airbase by van
and there I was presented with a certificate
of achievement. My test pilot Sergei Kara
also signed and stamped my log book. He also informed
me I was the first Irish girl to Fly
to the Edge. This was an experience of a
lifetime."
|
|
We
really like an email Greg received from a future MiG
flyer in Brazil, letting him know he'd like to add
a fighter jet flight for his son.
Incredible Greg!!
He
was sleeping 5 minutes ago, I woke up him with this
question: "Do you want to flight to the space?
Yes or No!" Hahaha
Would any 21-year-old
son actually say "no"? We think he's one
lucky kid.
If you'd like to arrange
a MiG flight for yourself, your son, your mother or
anyone else, contact
Greg. Please keep in mind that obtaining the necessary
security clearance can take up to 60 days.
|
Forward
Incredible News
to a Friend
800-644-7382
~ 941-346-2603
|