Never in my life did I think I would see Guernsey from upside down .....2,000ft in the air. And let me tell you nothing compares to the adrenaline rush from being that high with one of the most experienced aerobatic display teams.
Call me courageous or simply foolish but I eagerly jumped at the chance to fly with The Blades.
It all started with a pre-flight briefing at the ASG Hangar with pilot Andy Evans, who has clocked more than 5,500 flying hours over seven years.
He assured us that we would be in good hands and could go as wild or gentle as we liked once we had hit the skies.
After the briefing I climbed into a black one-piece jumpsuit with matching shades - not quite the Top Gun look I was after but at that point I did feel the need... the need for speed.
Having watched the Battle of Britain air display every year my stomach churned as I marched closer to the four orange aircrafts lined up on the hangar.
I was tagged with the leader of The Blades, Mark 'Cutty' Cutmore, who helped me put on a life jacket and parachute just in case of an emergency evacuation - a great way to ease my nerves.
As I hopped into the front seat of the seven-metre plane, Mark strapped me in, tight enough so I felt like I was part of the equipment.
I was also given a sick bag for any weak moments I might have.
The engine fired up and off we went along the runway and headed for the heavens.
Seeing the island so clearly from inside the cockpit was literally one of the best views I have ever seen.
My nerves had been drawn out of me by gravity and I was raring to go.
Mark was in constant contact with me via the radio headsets and within what felt like only a minute in the air, he asked if I was ready for the big loop.
My respond: hell yeah.
Up and over we went and while some may compare it to being in a washing machine it was one of the most bizarre and yet best experiences of my life and one I would do over and over again.
Hearing my enthusiasm, Mark then went on to perform more manoeuvres, including wing overs, aileron rolls, a lomcevak - also known as a headache/hangover more - and my personal favourite, a stall turn.
The inverted roll also meant I got to see all 25 square miles of the island upside down and it is something I will never forget.
We joined up with the other three aircrafts over the south coast and headed home.
I had done it.
And thankfully I didn't need the paper bag.
As published in the Guernsey Press
Have any of you guys done this before? If so, I want to hear about it.
Lots of love N x
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