“I’d dearly love to get myself in a Hornet for a few turns around the area...”
If you can fly one that guy who just purchased the entire remaining Aussie ones (48/36 fully operational) is probably looking for some folks to fly OPFOR for him. He has a contract to provide the opponent air forces for training.
I'm guessing you're not referring to either of these Hornets... :)

In my youth, I had a (short-lived) career as a test-pilot...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNyzwnQ2Qe8
🐷