High Flight
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings.
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling
mirth of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things
you have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared
and swung high in the sunlit silence.
Hovering there, I've chased the shouting wind along,
and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air.
xxxx
Up, up, the long, delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
the high untrespassed sanctity of space,
put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
by John Gillespie Magee, Jr., September 3, 1941
24 comments:
NOTE:
1. Pilots must insure that all surly bonds have been slipped entirely before aircraft taxi or flight is attempted.
2. During periods of severe sky dancing, crew and passengers must keep seatbelts fastened. Crew should wear shoulder-belts as provided.
3. Sunward climbs must not exceed the maximum permitted aircraft ceiling.
4. Passenger aircraft are prohibited from joining the tumbling mirth.
5. Pilots flying through sun-split clouds under VFR conditions must comply with all applicable minimum clearances.
6. Do not perform these hundred things in front of CAA Flight Ops Inspectors.
7. Wheeling, soaring, and swinging will not be attempted except in aircraft rated for such activities and within utility class weight limits.
8. Be advised that sunlit silence will occur only when a major engine malfunction has occurred.
9. "Hov’ring there" will constitute a highly reliable signal that a flight emergency is imminent.
10. Forecasts of shouting winds are available from the local flight briefing unit. Encounters with unexpected shouting winds should be reported by pilots.
11. Pilots flinging eager craft through footless halls of air are reminded that they alone are responsible for maintaining separation from other eager craft.
12. Should any crewmember or passenger experience delirium while in the burning blue, report to your AME upon flight termination.
13. Windswept heights will be topped by a minimum of 1,000 feet to maintain VFR minimum separations.
14. Aircraft engine ingestion of, or impact with, larks or eagles should be reported to the CAA and the appropriate aircraft maintenance facility.
15. Aircraft operating in the high untresspassed sanctity of space must remain in IFR flight regardless of meteorological conditions and visibility.
16. Pilots and passengers are reminded that opening doors or windows in order to touch the face of God may result in loss of cabin pressure.
Very clever Peajay.... but not as nice as the poem :)
Anyway .... this poem is not and never had been about passenger aircraft. It was written after the pilot and poet had flown his first flight in a Spitfire during WW2.
My apologies Anna for being lighthearted.
I was aware of the poem as it is the most famous and beautiful piece of poetry concerning flying. It's a shame that the average 19 year old would not have such insight these days, but that insight was forged by the circumstances it was written in.
Its OK Peajay... I didn't want you to apologise .... :))
I really like the poem, always have done, my last boss in the RAF had it framed on his office wall - that was where I first saw it to be honest.
I know you were just being humourous - actually, my choice of words could have been a bit better... sorry about that :))
Very true comment about the average 19 year old nowadays tho'.....
Sometimes I read the papers and really worry about stuff, like that guy outside his house getting beaten to death in front of his daughter and the young father that was stabbed to death. Also, that young girl in Italy - that is really awful as well. :(
Still, we have to hope that there is still good in most other people :))
It's a shame we only hear about the bad things/people in life and not about the many good ones. The ever present tv seemingly brings these 'bad' people to our very sitting-rooms and makes the minority seem to be the majority.
Very true - Peajay... Mr A recently read a Michael Chrichton (sp?) book called 'State of Fear' which was about controlling the public by scaring them.
Maybe that's why we get very little 'good news'.
The trouble is that so many people believe, without question, what they read or view and form opinions based entirely on that. How did Mr A's job interview go? I hope good news is approaching.
Thanks for asking Peajay... he has been offered the job with BAe... and will be doing analyst type engineering work on the Tornado GR4.... so I'll be popping along there to have a look at my 'favourite aircraft' :))
Congratulations to Mr A, bet you're both pleased.
Hi gals!!
Like the photo, Anna!!
What an anorak!!! Noisy bloody things too!
Oh I see, Mr A has got a job working on the wee beauties!:) Well, if that's what puts the dinner on the table, I can see the attraction!:D
How're they hangin' Anna? :-)
They are noisy..... but they are kinda nice as well..
I'm hanging well....!! Some bits are hanging better than others! :D :D
Anoraks R Us!!!
Glad to hear it!:D When Mr A starts bring home the lovely lolly, you should get everything sorted! It shouldn't cost too much, maybe a couple of hundred grand or so!:)))
It's still boycott time at the Scotsman....it's a shock to the system, but the cold sweat has stopped now!:DD
Hi AJ.... yes I'll be able to get it all nipped and tucked!! :D
Actually, if I could justify the expense I would have a little bit done !! :D
Sort out the bags under the eyes and maybe do something about my nose! :D
What about you?
Anna,
It would be the works - colonic irrigation, snitcher, teeth, and hair transplants!
Probably get a new birth certificate too!
I think the undercarriage is ample, so I wouldn't want any tampering done down there!;)))
How about your doodaas? Would it be a reduction or an enhancement job? :D
Glad to see you're keeping to the aviation theme of this blog... re the undercarriage!! :D :D
Me doodahs? :D I assume you are referring to one's bosoms? :D
Well, obviously a lift wouldn't do any harm... and maybe a bit of reshaping (pregnancy & babies play havoc with your doodahs!! & age as well!!) .... also a some of that suction thing for my thighs and butt.... and a lot of waist whittling - maybe get my big toes sorted out as well.... I've never been keen on them! :D
Thinking about it just scrap me and rebuild from scratch!! :D
I just thought I'd stop by and say Hello. Hope all is well.
Hello Peajay... thanks for calling by - I've been having a lot of problems with my internet connection lately - but hopefully, it'll get sorted out soon :))
Hi Anna
Just wanted to check how it went with your Mum. Hope all is ok. I'd have emailed but don't have address. Sorry.
Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Smartphone, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://smartphone-brasil.blogspot.com. A hug.
Favourite aircraft?????
Surely a Spitfire would be more appropriate for you!! :D
AJ you cheeky wee tyke!! :D :D :D
Go to your room!
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