Local Teacher and TV Personality Fullfeel lifelong Dreams of Flying with Blue Angel Pilot in Carson Valley
Minden Nevada, September 28, 2022 – The Carson Valley Aviation Round-up, set to entertain families and guests on Saturday and Sunday at the Minden-Tahoe Airport in the Carson Valley, kicked off today with a fun community flight event. The Community flights day is a unique event allowing two local participants the dream of a lifetime as copilots of the Blue Angels Super Hornet.
The F/A-18 Hornet has served the Blue Angels since 1987, the longest tenure of any airplane types assigned to the U.S Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron.
The Two lucky participants of this year’s event:
- Caren Baum, Storey County Teacher
- John Macaluso, KOLO TV News Channel 8
Today was all about safety as Crew Cheif Sean Donhugh. Reviewing the safety features and functions of the F/18 with Carol and John. He covered everything regarding today’s flights including how to vomit, what to expect when your body hits 4,5 or 7 G’s and the sensation of passing out if you don’t push blood back to your head. Of Course, you could almost feel the tension in the room when he had to cover the possibility of an emergency ejection from the aircraft and what he called “the Extra ride ” back to the ground safely. A few signed documents later and Carol would be first to get into her Jump suit for the ride.
On the Tarmac, Carol was full of life and wondered if her Friends and students at Virginia City High School would be able to see her flight today. But unfortunately, the flight plan for the F18 was pre-selected and she would be headed East of the Carson Valley for her run. Her Husband shouts a loud “I love you” as the Pilot, call sign “Seven” entered his seat and started preflight checks before lowering the canopy.
Carol was all smiles as the F18 Super Hornet flown by “Seven” headed to the runway.
Moments later, the F/18 screamed down the runway towards Caron City before banking right and heading east for Carols feature run.
The 2022 Cason Valley Aviation Round Up will continue this week with Practice runs by the Blue Angels on Friday. The Aviation Roundup air show takes place at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, Oct. 1-2, 2022, featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
