[ccmay]

I have a pilot friend who joined the Mile-Hi Club and says it was one of the greatest experiences of his life. He tells me the recipe for success is as follows:

• Make your attempt with an empty stomach.
• Have a tiny little 98-lb. girlfriend, so weight and balance are not a concern and not so much room is needed.
• Be quite tall yourself, so your feet can still reach the rudder pedals.
• Use an aircraft with a real stick, not a bulky control yoke. In his case he used a Piper Cub.
• Stay in the pilot's seat, and have her straddle you facing aft, so you are still in control of the aircraft and can see over her shoulder.
• Choose a rural area well away from traffic and at least 4000' above terrain.
• And the key to the whole trick: Let the airplane do the work-- i.e. alternate positive and negative elevator control inputs, "porpoising" across the sky.

If you and the girl both have strong stomachs, it is reportedly blissful. Still not a smart move for the pilot in command, but certainly sounds safer than what the other dingalings were doing.

-ccm

[Dashing Dasher]

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[Kate of Spice Island]

If I wasn't already laughing my head off before your post, I would have lost it then...