Coolest Ship on the Planet
If you’ve never had the chance to go from 0 to 150 miles per hour in two seconds, I highly recommend it. In fact, the opposite — going from 150 mph to 0 in two seconds is pretty fun, too. That’s what happens when you land and take off from the deck of an aircraft carrier.
I had the chance to do both of these things this week, an unbelievable experience.
The video below was shot from the cockpit of the plane that brought me to the aircraft carrier, the Harry S. Truman, by my friend and StomperNet member, Lt. John Voight, one of the pilots.
John hooked me up with the Navy’s program that allows civilians to experience first-hand the incredible operational marvel of a modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Our group of nine flew out to the Truman on a C-2A Greyhound, spent the night on board amid tremendous naval hospitality, toured the ship, watched an air show at sea, and talked to everyone from the hardworking sailors to the captain and admiral and flew back the next day.
Of course, flying back required a 0 to 150 mph catapult launch off the deck — WooHoo!
This is the plane we flew, a C-2A Greyhound. It’s a turboprop that operates COD runs (Carrier Onboard Delivery).
To see the view from our plane as we land on the carrier, click the video below:
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The whole trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We got to stand on the flight deck, not more than 5-10 yards from the runway where F-18 Hornets and other jets and planes were landing. Here’s a photo of our group with an F-18 landing right behind us and a video.
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As you can see, we’re not more than a few yards from the actual runway.
To see them launching, here’s a video I took from the flight deck of a jet taking off. When the F-18′s launch, they are so loud and it vibrates so much that it kept shutting my camera off. Argh! (It’s so loud you have to wear ear plugs inside the normal hearing protectors.) Here’s a video of one launching from across the runway.
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Inside the carrier, we met with the people in charge of almost every department. We toured everything from the bridge, air traffic control, the mess halls (serving over 18,500 meals a day), the jet engine repair shop, munitions and magazines to the flight deck, waste management (all plastics compressed and taken off the ship) and the room with the anchor (two 1,000 ft chains where each link weighs 365 pounds).
On the second afternoon, three other ships in the carrier group came alongside to watch an air show at sea. We saw F-18′s launch fake missiles, and saw two jets fly by the ship and break the sound barrier right in front of us. Here’s a video of a jet flying faster than the speed of sound:
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Posted by Brad Fallon on Wednesday, April 4th, 2007 at 5:39 pm 
Brad,
You always end up in the coolest places. That is super neato. What I want to know is did you take the twins with you?
Your out on the plane decks and we’re here trying to make home made dog food to get away from all this pet food recall crap going on back on dry land.
What’s next? You going up in the Snoopy Blimp?
Be Well!
Michelle
What an experience! The real reason you were there was to sort out the final details of May’s Stompernet conference.
Brad that looks Awesome! what an amazing experience, a once in a lifetime opportunity indeed. And to see that Lt. John Voight, the man that made that trip possible is a stomper. What a diverse crowd we are.
Thanks for posting the pics and videos, really really cool!
Hi Brad,
Glad to welcome you back on board your own blob. Great pictures to show us. This is one good thing when your business is going so well, you can have all the time for yourself while you deligate all the rest of your work to your staff.
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Amazing!
Brad, I do have only one question. What is the name of this top secret program that lets regular joes like us do stuff like this? My wife would freak if I ever tried something similar but a guy can dream can’t he. You are always pushing he envelope my friend. Wonderful video.
Brian
http://www.brian-stephenson.com
Good Lord!
I am sick of all of you gurus on these exotic trips! No one called to invite me!
I am going to make sure that I am on that list the next time though. I would love to be on that plan going mach speed! Oh well back to work!
http://www.mountaintopmtg.net
Here we were worried if something was wrong because you weren’t blogging and you’re out gallavanting (or however you spell it). At least you brought us pictures to help us live the glamorous jet-set life vicarously through you.
If your wife stayed home with the twins, you do know that you owe her something that she would consider equally thrilling. If, on the other hand, you found someone who babysits twins, well please email me!!!
Hey Brad,
Way to go dude, sorry I missed out on the Stomper group. Looks like a blast and a grand celebration. WOW!
Do me a favor and let me join up on the next go-round.
chazz
Beautiful Blankets
Awesome videos! I’m sure you will never forget the excitement of it all. I am glad you had a great time and glad your back. WooHoo! indeed!
Very interesting indeed.
I hope I will have chance to experience that too..
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Brad, Brad, Brad..
Living it up huh? Surprised that you have time for your self will everything you got going on.
Have fun everybody and enjoy life. I am and you know Brad is also.
Wow! I’ve always wanted to do that. What a great opportunity.
Lucky guy. I spent 4 years in the U.S. Navy, May 2001 to May 2005 to be exact, and served on three aircraft carriers. USS Ronald Reagan, USS Theodore Roosevelt (I volunteered for a six month deployment when Operation Iraqi Freedom began) and USS Dwight D Eisenhower. I did land on the flight deck on a COD (Carrier On Board Delivery) but never took off. I must say my time in the military was well worth it. After all I first learned about the opportunites for starting an internet business will I was serving my time.
Now that is a once in a lifetime memory…most people won’t be ever given the opportunity to fly in an actual military plane. I guess the only other way is to buy your own/make your own.
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where do i sign up…really!
I was invited to a tour of an American Aircraft carrier when I was 10 years old in 1970. This was in Hong Kong in the era of the Vietnam war. One of the most memorable and exciting experiences of my life. Thanks for bringing back fond memories.
Fine Watches
Awesome stuff Brad. That must have been a real thrill. I’ll bet you’ll never forget that experience. Thanks for sharing.
Man that look like a-heck-uva a lot of fun!
Freelance Copywriting Business
Wish I can have the same opportunities you are enjoying now Brad.
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That’s way cool!
I am speechless…
I would LOVE to do that some day….way cool
That looks like it was the trip of a lifetime. It is great that you had the opportunity to experience something so unique.
The other day I watched a long long video where this guy kept saying over and over again, ‘go to bradfallon.com….’ Some people will know what I am talking about. So here I am.
Dave
Digital City Hosting
Brad, I’m jealous. I served 16 years in the Navy, with three years on the USS Enterprise. While I got to ride in a helicopter a few times, I never got to do it the way you did.
Wayne
http://www.jigsawaday.com
Looks and sounds like a great experience. Great shots.
Attract Abundance
Looks like it was a blast! I hope that I can soon enjoy some of the awesome opportunities that you have!
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