Flight of a Lifetime

- Frank Huber

I got to fly the P-51 Mustang on Thursday with Jerry "Jive" Kerby at Stallion 51 at Kissimmee, Florida. Jive is a retired 23 year Air Force fighter pilot, having flown the F-4 and F-15 during his entire career. He helped create Draken International, the largest provider of tactical fighter aircraft services to the US military and is an airshow pilot in his RV-7, T-28 and L-39 jet. I knew I was in good hands for my flight when I heard that bio.

I have been desiring a flight in a Mustang since I first saw one at Oshkosh in 1971. So my wife Deb agreed it would be a great 70th birthday present. It was an awesome experience and Jive was a great instructor showing me some of the capabilities of the Mustang. The aircraft we flew, Crazy Horse, is a Cavalier TF-51 that is a converted two seat trainer with full controls and instruments in the back seat. Stallion 51 has two identical Crazy Horse TF-51s.

During the flight we did everything from stalls to aerobatics and I got to do most of the flying, including the overhead break and landing, with Jive coaching me through that evolution. A video was made of the entire flight with three cameras mounted in the aircraft. The entire experience, from the briefing through the flight and debrief with the video took nearly three hours. All the folks at Stallion 51 provided a very professional and friendly experience of a lifetime for me, that will keep bringing a smile to my face every time I think about it! It was the best birthday present my wife Deb could have ever given me!