Warplanes are circling Aiken this weekend
5/10/2008 12:22 AM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By RACHEL JOHNSON Staff writer

Imagine the force of 4 Gs pressing you against your seat as the airplane you control completes a barrel roll.

This weekend don't be surprised to hear the throaty roaring of a World War II plane zooming through the skies over Aiken as the tips of the propeller break the speed of sound. The North American Top-Gun, Inc. W.W.II Fighter Pilot School (NATG) set up base at the Aiken Municipal Airport on Friday and began sharing the thrills of piloting a W.W.II Texan through a series of maneuvers enabling participants to catch some major Gs, relive memories and create new ones.

One of the brave men to take on the challenge of the Texan on Friday afternoon was Charles D. Billings of the Columbia, South Carolina area. After gearing up and settling into the cockpit, Billings exclaimed, "I'm ready. Let's go."

As the engines roared to life and the plane took off, his children called to wish him luck and his wife stood by watching the sky with binoculars. For thirty minutes, Billings and instructor pilot Bruce Moore "Ricochet" soared the skies practicing smooth warbird aerobatics such as aileron rolls, hesitation rolls, barrel rolls, loops, Cuban 8's, immelmanns, chandelles, split S's and clover leafs.

Sitting behind the gunsight, Billings had a 360 degree view through the canopy and the experience of a lifetime. As the Texan taxied back down the runway, Billings was giving the thumbs up and walked away with a smile from ear to ear. "We make guys feel twenty again," said Andrew D'errico, ground and briefing specialist for NATG.

"I caught 4 and a half Gs, that was tremendous. I recommend it to everyone. I would go again in a heartbeat," expressed an ecstatic Billings. "What really made my day is the four maneuvers all together."

As Billings walked away he shot a knowing look at Bill Taylor, as Taylor climbed into the cockpit, ready to live out a dream.

The opportunity of a lifetime awaits you at the Aiken Municipal Airport. The NATG W.W.II Fighter Pilot School still has openings for flights on Sunday and Monday. Anyone interested should call Andrew D'errico at (386) 336-3094. Anyone between the ages of 5 and 100 is eligible. No experience necessary. Additional information may be found online at www.natg.com.

Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com

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