By Robert Mason
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports, “Children are influenced by media—they learn by observing, imitating, and making behaviors their own” (2001, p.1224). I guess they are correct.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND—the nineteen eighties—It was during that decade that a very young Robert Mason’s fascination with aero- and astronautics began. From an early age, I recall watching shows such as The Galaxy Goof-Ups, Yogi’s Space Race, The Space Kidettes and, of course, The Jetsons, and always dreaming of a time when I could enjoy a rendezvous with the cosmos, traveling at great speeds, just like my animated idols.
Fast forward nearly thirty years to 2011 as, it was late in this year that a much older, yet no less eager, Robert Mason realized his life long wish to travel near space at supersonic speeds. After trying (in vain) to win a trip aboard Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic through a contest organized and sponsored by Guinness, I became informed of a company in Florida by the name of Incredible Adventures which arranges just that, incredible adventures. After perusing the company’s online brochure, I decided that its “Edge Of Space” program was most suited to my needs and desires. This option consists of a high altitude/stratospheric flight—at supersonic speeds—aboard a Russian fighter jet, above Sokol Airbase, located in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod.
The day of my flight—October 25, 2011—started off just like any other. I awoke at 05:00 hours, showered and shaved then, after dressing, went down stairs to have a little breakfast. A little later that morning, I was met at my hotel by a representative of Incredible Adventures’ Russian division and escorted to Sokol Airbase.
From that moment, the day took on a more surreal nature as, once on the base, after passing multiple security checkpoints and a required medical examination, I met my pilot and was briefed on the day’s itinerary as well as safety maneuvers. Next, I was fitted with proper Space Age attire consisting of a protective helmet, oxygen mask and high altitude gravity and pressure suit, before signing my name in the base’s log book.
Then, the ordinary became the extraordinary as, immediately upon completion of my flight briefing with Russian test pilot, Sergey Kara, we were escorted to the runway where the legendary MiG-29 UB fighter jet awaited us. After a brief examination of the jet’s positioning system, turbine engines, wings and landing gear, all my years of longing, planning, hard work and, viewing countless reruns of cosmic cartoons, finally came to fruition as I climbed the eight steps of the steel staircase into the rear seat of the MiG-29, aback of Kara. Once properly strapped into my seat along with my mask connected to the jet’s oxygen supply, the canopy lowered and the jet began its dash down the runway before beginning its acceleration to Mach 2 (1522 mph) upwards to an altitude of 68,000 ft (approximately thirteen miles), above ninety-five percent of the Earth’s atmosphere—truly, the very edge of space. After reaching this altitude, it was then that I was given my historic opportunity to pilot the jet under Kara’s careful instruction before practicing such aerobatic maneuvers as an inverted flight, tailslide, loops and rolls and pulling 5G.
To clarify—it was then that I was given my historic opportunity to pilot the jet—my October 25th flight earned me a place not only in Russian aviation history but African-American history as well. On that day, I became the first African-American to participate in Incredible Adventures’ “Edge Of Space” program and to copilot a Russian fighter jet. The revelation was delivered by Sokol’s Civil Programs Director, Oleg Federov, during my preflight briefing, the night before my historic flight. For me, the experience of flying a Russian MiG is, and always will be, truly an incredible privilege but, to be granted this opportunity while simultaneously making history is its own ultimate reward.
It is often stated that the greatest journeys in life begin with single steps. It’s interesting that mine began with three words—Hanna-Barbera Studios.
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