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Y! MyWebBengals kicker Graham to fly in F-16
Chick Ludwig at Large: Graham tackles 'wild blue yonder'
Monday, July 14, 2008
CINCINNATI — Bengals placekicker Shayne Graham will fly what he hopes will be a friendly sky — above Springfield and beyond — on Tuesday, July 15.
Graham, a strong supporter of the U.S. military, has been granted permission to participate in an F-16 orientation flight at the Springfield Air National Guard Base.
After he takes a physical exam, gets fitted with flight gear and learns emergency exit procedures, Graham will take off in the two-seater jet at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport and travel into the "wild blue yonder."
"I've done some research on it, and from what I've read it's a very maneuverable, high G-force-type fighter plane," Graham said. "It's very nimble. There's going to be a lot of chances for me to get sick in that thing."
The son of a Vietnam War veteran, Graham said he's always had an interest in the military, and in flying. He recently created commemorative Matt Maupin dog tags to honor the Cincinnati-area soldier who was recently pronounced killed in action in Iraq after being missing in action for four years.
Graham also makes numerous visits to veterans hospitals in Cincinnati and his native Virginia.
"I've got a reputation for people knowing I have an interest in flying," Graham said. "Basically, I asked (to fly an F-16) and through the channels of some of the people I've done a lot of military support with in the recent months, they helped me make it happen."
Graham won't be alone in the jet. He'll be accompanied by an experienced pilot from the 178th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard.
"I have flown several airplanes on my own and as a co-pilot," Graham said. "I don't believe the people on the fighter jets are just going to let me take the stick on that one. If they did, that would be really cool and I would be all open to it because I think I could handle it.
"But I can't swear that I wouldn't freak out. Driving a World War II fighter plane is a whole lot different than the prop jobs I'm used to flying."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
