“Talk to me, Goose …”

Earlier this month, I attended the ILA, an airshow Berlin hosts every two years. I had been meaning to go there a couple of years ago, actually, but never did so, for some reason or other. Which is kinda surprising, since I am into aviation, military as well as civil.

On that very fiiiiiiiine Sunday morning, I made my way across the whole city, since the exhibition is located at BER, our last functioning airport. While I had no idea what the day was going to have in store for me, I knew I was going to geek out over planes and bask in the jet fuel (for some reason, I like that smell?). I just wanted to have a jolly good time and get some nice photos while I was there. First time for me to take some action shots with my camera (so far, I hadn’t used it for aviation).

The first flying display that day was of the Eurofighter, a plane I was really curious to see in action. The picture that goes with today’s entry was taken by me during said flying display. Of course, I had my earplugs with me as well as my headphones, so I could dim out some of the noise of that plane because oooof, loud! My heart rate went up as soon as the plane got ready for take off, that’s for sure.

I had already seen that one of those planes was also an exhibition piece which the spectators could sit in and have their photo taken. Now that was an option I certainly couldn’t say “no” to even if I tried. Thing is: I have ALWAYS wanted to fly in a fighter jet as a passenger, but as a civilian, this is next to impossible, so I decided I’d do the next best thing and that is plonk my ass down in the cockpit and pretend I’m Phoenix. Or Maverick.

The line was ridiculously long so I missed out on several other things I wanted to see (which is why I have already decided to go on both visitor days in two years), but I remained patient and well, once again, my patience paid off. BIG time so!

I usually don’t like selfies, but this one? Needs to be shared as it’s pure happiness. When it was my turn to sit in the cockpit, I totally blurted out THE most iconic line from “Top Gun”:
“Talk to me, Goose …”
Folks around me were hooting and cheering, and the security guy started whistling the “Top Gun Anthem”. Meanwhile, I was *this* close to start crying because I was so bloody happy. My dream came true. I got to sit in an actual fighter jet. Only for a couple of seconds, yes, but … I totally did it. I got my little “Top Gun” fix in (as well as a “Mission: Impossible” one because of the Airbus A400M “Atlas” that was also there, THE type of plane Tom Cruise is hanging off from in “Rogue Nation”). And everyone who’s seen me that day as well as received the photo from me via Whatsapp loved my smiley face here. Such an EPIC moment for sure. It may have been only a very short moment, but it will be forever etched on my memory.

And since I know y’all are curious: pics this way please.

Take care and see you soon!