"When the morning arise I woke up, I am not really rested. The whole night I was almost awake, although I had no reason to lie awake, yet I had all the time thinking about what I would expect on this day, I would set off with one of the best jets in the world towards the stratosphere! In an amount that would make me on that day to the highest flying person (of course next to my pilot!). Only above us the crew of the ISS, in Earth orbit, drawing their curves. 16x a day!
The excellent support of SPACE TRAVELLERS in the weeks before I had a preparation behind me, which I promised to find myself in absolt safe and professional hands. The guys from SPACE TRAVELLERS know about what they are talking, because ultimately they operate these kind of flights for over 10 years. They are one of the most experienced companies on this planet who provide such experiences!
I knew that there were earlier flights with MIG-25. However these have been discontinued, unfortunately, after it went on with the MIG-31. But this is no longer available. I knew the story of an aviator, who wanted to fly MIG-31. Three days before was the 'Foxhound' out of a crack in the front cockpit window grounded and the big question was how long it would take for maintenance. One of the pilots of the Sokol Airbase but said this: 'No problem! I fly her with the MIG-29 in maximum height!'. So SPACE TRAVELLERS completed in March 2008 the first "Edge of Space Flight" in history with a MIG-29UB in the height of 23,000 meters or 75.000 feet! They were first!
I have the pictures on that flight before in my mind as I enter the airbase on the selfsame day. I feel at home and completely secure. I am amazed how big this team is what is around me. Andreas from SPACE TRAVELLERS, the Mission Director, had told me once, what a burden this would mean to put a flight participant into the cockpit of a MIG-29: one counts all together, who are responsible for one, comes to over 50 people!
Misleading - I think to myself as I stand next to my pilot, who tells me the flight route of the day. Sergey Kara, test pilot and hero of Russia. The boy has more than 4,500 hours of flight experience, he eplains to me, and he has flown with all possible jets. His professionalism needed no further words more! I eagerly listen to him when he explains me everything, and I initially think I have misheard: Andreas from SPACE TRAVELLERS had mentioned it, I will fly the MIG-29 itself!
After the briefing I am still with my head in the clouds. A medical examination is in order. My blood pressure is slightly high, but the physician of the airbase says to me, it would go down during the flight already. I should simply think of something else. Ha, easy to say!
During the investiture, I feel like an astronaut. This full-body pressure suit, which is also used as an anti-G suit read me look more like a creature in a science fiction movie! Fireproof underwear, the suit and it still felt just as an overall I would now leave with a Space Shuttle in the direction of space. I would do it if you would offer me the opportunity! Absolutely! But, I think - one step after another!
Then it finally happens! I am taken to the flight line. There she is infront of me; the jet what is in the history of aviation not compareable with another! The MIG-29 is a very nice plane for Russian-designed jet. Where the Russians came for their ideas? I know a lot about flying, even I am a hobby pilot, but I never came so far beyond a Cessna or similar aircraft. And in a few minutes I will take off with this jet, controlled by Sergey, into the sky! A no easy task. Today, I would try to fly almost three times as high as Mount Everest! Can you imagine?
Again a few minutes later I am sitting for the professional security training strapped in the cockpit. And 15 minutes later I find myself at a flight level, what was unimaginable for me to this moment! What I see up there is unique! It reads my breath away! The blackness of the sky above me, the turquoise blue clouds on the horizon, 95% of the complete atmosphere mass of my home planet Earth is under me! I can say it: Enjoy it! If you have long had a dream as I had, do not think a long time but do it! Today! "
SPACE TRAVELLERS offers a special flight: fly the MIG-29 "Fulcrum" in highest altitudes. Altitudes of 21000-24000 meters (69.000 - 75.000 feet), depending on the day of the current weather conditions, are possible! Experience a unique flight in one of the best fighter-jets of the world! Feel the G-forces acting on you! See a breathtaking view of the beauty of the planet. You'll see colours you have not seen it with your own eyes before!
SPACE TRAVELLERS is able to bring you the best experience of your life! Feel free to contact us and ask us what ever you want to ask. We will also be happy to contact one of our "Edge of Space flight participants with whom you can talk about his experience, to fly with us to "Edge of Space".
