One Of Our Finest, Rides With The Thunderbirds - Capt. Peter Hempfling

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Jim O'Bryan
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One Of Our Finest, Rides With The Thunderbirds - Capt. Peter Hempfling

Postby Jim O'Bryan » Fri Sep 03, 2021 7:02 pm

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We assembled at the crack of dawn at Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

Captain Peter Hempfling had sent his name into the Air Force for a chance to win a ride. After a discussion with the Air Force he was not sure he would get his dream ride. Then Wednesday the phone rang and he was told he had been chosen as the Cleveland Hometown Hero to get a ride with the Thunderbirds! Just weeks before his retirement another boyhood dream and bucket list item was going to be checked off.

but first the waiver...

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Then a quick overview of the day, including the things the plane will be doing.

30 minutes to go over the suit, and life support systems.

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Then another waiver to sign before emergency parachute ejection seat class.

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Conversation with the flight surgeon on breathing and muscle technique during high Gs.

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Then another waiver to sign.

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The pilot of Thunderbird #8 and show announcer Major Jason Markzon explains the dashboard and everything he cannot touch.

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At take off we will pull a 5G climb to 15,000', Pete asked how long will that take, the Major responded almost 10 seconds.

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With that we go over the flight plan.

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Then the pilot and the lucky hero take a walk to the plane.

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He puts his flight suit back on.

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And climbs in.

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The Major goes over the dashboard again and makes sure his belts are tight.

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And way down at the end of the runway the Thunderbird climbed 800' banked hard left, then pulled back and climbed to 3 miles and vanished.

About an hour later...

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The Major gave Pete a photo signed by all of the Thunderbirds. And on the back you can see some writing. It says "9.2Gs" which is what he pulled in a major turn. He also took 9.1Gs, in a later turn. The crew was amazed. They also let him fly the plane, yes, a roll, a corkscrew, and a huge loop.

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Pete with the entire crew.

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The Captain with his posse, Left to right, Lakewoodite David Nolan, Captain Peter Hempfling, and Fire Marshal Ryan Fairbanks.

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Two hours after leaving he finally has a chance to sit down and relax.

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To Captain Hempfling, Fire Marshall Fairbanks and David, thanks for taking me with you, it was amazing.

Check out the airshow!

See all of the photos here: http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/jim-obryan/peter-hempfling-rides-with-air-force-thundrbirds


Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident

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