What is the perfect bucket list gift for a man? No, what is the ultimate first anniversary gift? My husband and I just had our first anniversary and I wanted to come up with an experiential gift! I was capable of making my husband’s greatest bucket list dream of being a fighter pilot come true with Air Combat USA.
The price tag on the “Top Gun” experience offered by Air Combat USA in Fullerton is about $1,300, but the experience is priceless. It was a worthy bucket list gift, symbolic of our first adventure-filled year together.
Air Combat USA is the ORIGINAL civilian dogfighting school in the world.
They are the innovators of air combat training for civilians. They set the standard for program design and execution, offering a fighter pilot experience second to none. Their guest pilots fly real fighters with licensed fighter pilots in the cockpit with them. All aircrafts are outfitted with high-end digital multi-camera systems to capture your fighter pilot experience.
The Training
On Saturday, January 14th, Darren’s morning started with a full military briefing consisting of basic air combat maneuvers (ACM), high and low yo-yo’s, lead, lag, and pure pursuit, gun sight tracking, the “rules of engagement”, safety brief, physiological effects of “G” forces, and the flying characteristics of both the SIAI Marchetti SF260 and the Extra 300L.
The Flight
Fully briefed, I watched Darren zip into a flight suit and strap into an aerobatic, Italian-built fighter. Within 15 seconds of take-off, Darren was in full control of a 300 horse-power, 1700-pound, military fighter aircraft.
After take-off, he learned the art of formation flying on the way to the practice area. As a wingman, Darren’s role was to stay to the right, back, and lower than his leader. Even from the ground, I could see the focus, finesse, and precision required in formation flying. It was a compellingly beautiful experience to witness both planes line up in the sky above.
The Fight
In the skies over the Pacific Ocean, accompanied by a licensed fighter pilot in the cockpit, Darren practiced mock fighting another plane flown by a fellow adrenaline-seeking customer. Straining under high G, out-smarting and out-maneuvers the other pilot was the top priority. Each pilot was given the opportunity to be the practice aggressor before being set loose on the real dogfight.
The other fighter plane came almost head-on into Darren and passed on his left; that was the beginning of their dogfight. Darren did a high yo-yo, pulled on the stick, went vertical, and cranked his neck up in order not to lose sight of his enemy. On top of the half-loop, almost weightless, he rolled the plane and dove behind his target.
He sighted the enemy aircraft in the center of his gun sight . “GUNS” The gun sight video cameras recorded his “kill” as the other aircraft billowed smoke. Watching the video after his flight left me with feelings of pride. Not only did he love the experience, but he was very successful during the journey.
We both put a great deal of value on having new life experiences as opposed to accumulating stuff and these memories will last a lifetime.
Darren said, “Dogfighting is the most adventurous thing I’ve ever done in my life! Air Combat USA is the ultimate experience!”
I was truly successful in giving a unique, special gift housing memories that will last a lifetime. What do you have planned for your significant other in the near future? Maybe Air Combat USA could be in your gun sight.
My significant other would love this despite having flown more than once in a Tiger Moth, taxying in a Lancaster bomber and flying in many aircraft for work. Something for me to keep in mind!