Ever since I was a child I wanted to fly in a military fighter but I never thought I would get the opportunity. After some research I discovered the company “Space Tourism, Ltd” and realised that it was possible to realise my ambition! Together with the excellent staff at “Space Tourism, Ltd” and consideration of my wishes, we were able to construct a bspoke flight package containing a flight on the MiG-29 to the edge of space as well as a trip to the Gagarin Space Cosmonaut Space Training Centre. Taking into account that I would be flying on the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic flight into space, the opportunity to perform such flight was too good to miss. “Space Tourism, Ltd” and the airbase staff made all the necessary arrangements for me and I prepared for my flight knowing that this would be a historic occasion for me as it was for Yuri Gagarin.
On Tuesday 12th April 2011 we left to travel the Air Base to prepare for the flight. After easing gently into the G-suit, discussing my flight with pilot Yuri Polyakov we proceeded to the runway for the final flight preparations and inspection of the air craft. At this point I was both excited and nervous at the same time but my pilot Yuri was very reassuring. We proceeded to the end of the runway for take off after which Yuri checked that I was ok and ready to fly, and I responded with 'Poechali' which means in Russian 'lets go!' This was the same response that Yuri Gagarin made on his first flight.
The flight was the most incredible experience I have ever had. Yuri was always checking I was ok and giving me a commentary on every element of our flight including going to the edge of space and performing many acrobatic maneuvers. Yuri's flying was very smooth, exhilarating and for loss of a better word superb!!!
I want to thank all the people at travel agency “Space Tourism Ltd”, the Air Base and my pilot Yuri Polyakov without which one of this would have been possible. I would thoroughly recommend this experience and I would love to return to repeat this experience in the future.
With best regards,
Colin Jobbins
Here you may see video about the flights >>>
