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High Flight (FAA Version)

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth (1),
And danced (2) the skies on laughter silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed (3) and joined the tumbling mirth (4)
On sun-split clouds (5) and done a hundred things (6)
You have not dreamed of — Wheeled and soared and swung (7)
High in the sunlit silence (8). Hov’ring there (9)
I’ve chased the shouting wind (10) along and flung (11)
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious (12), burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights (13) with easy grace,
Where never lark, or even eagle (14) flew;
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high unsurpassed sanctity of space (15),
Put out my hand (16), and touched the face of God. (17)

Federal Aviation Administration
“High Flight” Supplement; Rev. 2001

1. Flight crews must ensure that all surly bonds have been slipped
entirely before taxiing or flight of aircraft is attempted.

2. During periods of severe sky dancing, all crewmembers and
passengers must be wearing seatbelts. The Fasten Seatbelt sign
must remain illuminated if installed.

3. Sunward climbs must not exceed maximum certificated climb
rates or designated aircraft ceiling.

4. Aircraft engaged in carrying passengers for hire are prohibited
from joining the tumbling mirth.

5. Pilots flying through sun-split clouds must comply with all
applicable visual and instrument flight rules.

6. All hundred undreamed things must be submitted on an
approved FAA Flight Plan and approved prior to execution.

7. Wheeling, soaring, and swinging must not be attempted
simultaneously except in an approved simulator.

8. Sunlit silence should be considered an indication of a major
engine malfunction.

9. “Hov’ring there”—in fixed wing aircraft—should be considered
a possible indication that a flight emergency is imminent.

10. Forecasts of shouting winds are available from the local Flight
Service Station. Encounters with unexpected shouting winds should
be immediately reported to FAA Flight Watch on 122.0.

11. Pilot craft flinging may result in exceeding the stress limits of
the airframe and may cause motion sickness.

12. Should the pilot or any crewmember experience delirium while
in the burning blue, a review of his (her) medical certificate is
warranted.

13. Windswept heights must be cleared by a minimum of 1000 feet in
designated non-mountainous areas; 2000 feet in designated
mountainous areas.

14. Encounters with larks are permitted if contact with the
aircraft is avoided. Eagles must be widely avoided to prevent habitat
disturbances as required by the Endangered Species Act.

15. ATC and the Department of the Interior must issue a special
clearance for treading the high untrespassed sanctity of space.

16. Opening the pilot’s vent window for the purpose of putting out
hands, or any extension of bodily extremities, should be avoided
except during slow-flight in non-pressurized aircraft.

17. The FAA is restricted from issuing any ruling concerning the
appropriateness of touching the face of God during flight operations.