Ready for the air show, high above Lake Allatoona, upside down
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
I can check flying upside down over Lake Allatoona off my bucket list. Defying gravity wasn’t high on my list of things to do in life, but it will be a good story to tell at parties.
Major John Klatt, the aerobatics pilot who showed me a different view of Cobb County Tuesday, asked if I wanted to turn upside down again.
Bob Andres/bandres@ajc.com
AJC reporter Tucker McQueen gives a wave as she gets ready for takeoff.
I tried to say no, but couldn’t find the red button that would let me talk to him. We rolled over again in the 1,500 pound, Extra 300 aerobatic plane and leveled off. Finding the button, I told Klatt I didn’t want to try my luck again. I figured throwing up upside down wasn’t a good idea.
“Just treat me gently,” I said for the tenth time during the flight. “I’m a grandmother.”
His soothing voice came through the headset,” You don’t look old enough to be a grandmother. You’re doing fine.”
I told him I was chicken and he calmly replied I wasn’t. If he gives up flying, Klatt would make a great psychiatrist.
The Air National Guard pilot will perform at the “Wings Over Marietta” show at Dobbins Air Reserve Base Saturday and Sunday. Klatt is considered one of the top 10 aerobatics pilots in the country.
Klatt took me on a 25-minute flight from McCollum Field in Kennesaw. We flew at about 180 mph up to 2,500 feet above Atlanta.
Before we took off, Klatt’s operations manager Tim Jarvis gave me a safety check and wrapped me in a snug-fitting parachute. As I wedged into the front seat, Jarvis told me the chute was a legal requirement and no reporter has had to use one.
Just in case though, he told me how to release a metal clasp snugged below my belt and then a second one at my waist. He told me the pilot would tell me when to pull the ring on my chest that would release the chute.
I looked at the clasps and ring. Would I remember which comes first if I had to. I figured I’d be toast and took a deep breath. Klatt stepped into the seat behind me and we were off.
We flew east over 285 and south to downtown Atlanta. As we approached a cluster of skyscrapers, Klatt banked left to give my photographer, Bob Andres in a small plane above us, a photo op.
The dip didn’t bother me, nor did another dip that showed me a beautiful view of the city. As we flew north towards the lake, Klatt mentioned that he had taken his 73-year-old mom up a week ago and she loved it. He turned her upside down as well and she didn’t get sick either.
After the flight, Jarvis said about 15 percent of fliers get sick on these trips and it’s usually men. I thought, chicks rule. Make that grandmas rule. Now, when can I take another flight?
