Occasionally we had civilians (usually dignitaries) get a ride in a jet off of the Kitty Hawk.  The story in the snippet below was a frequent description upon their return.

F-14 Tomcat

Click the link and read the whole thing. It’s a hoot.

Below is an article written by Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated. He details his experiences when given the opportunity to fly in an F-14 Tomcat. If you aren’t laughing out loud by the time you get to “Milk Duds,” your sense of humor is broken.

Now this message is for America’s most famous athletes: Someday you may be invited to fly in the back-seat of one of your country’s most powerful fighter jets. Many of you already have … John Elway, John Stockton, Tiger Woods to name a few. If you get this opportunity, let me urge you, with the greatest sincerity…

Move to Guam.

Change your name.

Fake your own death!

Whatever you do ..

Do Not Go!!!

via The F-14 Tomcat Association..

F-14 Fly-by. Don't try this at home.

Here is a pretty interesting shot of a fly-by that is NOT recommended procedure. We had a few similar events while I was aboard the Kitty Hawk, and the result was always some discipline of the pilot … then put him right back to work.