1 00:00:04,338 --> 00:00:08,467 - Getting in a jet makes me feel alive. 2 00:00:12,012 --> 00:00:14,890 I'm here to become a naval aviator. 3 00:00:17,226 --> 00:00:21,855 My whole life's trajectory has been to get to this point. 4 00:00:24,733 --> 00:00:27,319 INSTRUCTOR Ocean 131, you’re clear for takeoff 5 00:00:28,654 --> 00:00:30,989 - Sitting on the runway, lined up. 6 00:00:31,114 --> 00:00:32,759 You're at max throttle, 7 00:00:32,783 --> 00:00:34,785 you just hear the engine buzzing behind you. 8 00:00:36,078 --> 00:00:37,055 The instructor says, 9 00:00:37,079 --> 00:00:39,516 ready and back and you take your feet and 10 00:00:39,540 --> 00:00:43,961 just let them off the brakes, and off you go. 11 00:00:46,338 --> 00:00:47,506 And from there, 12 00:00:47,631 --> 00:00:49,341 the next hour and a half of our lives, 13 00:00:51,093 --> 00:00:52,445 it's like we teleport. 14 00:00:52,469 --> 00:00:54,137 [Narrator] For the first time ever... 15 00:00:55,264 --> 00:00:56,504 INSTRUCTOR Get a little G on it. 16 00:00:56,848 --> 00:00:57,891 - Roger. 17 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:00,453 [Narrator] ...the US Navy has let cameras 18 00:01:00,477 --> 00:01:02,789 document the Advanced Phase 19 00:01:02,813 --> 00:01:05,524 of its elite fighter pilot training program. 20 00:01:06,191 --> 00:01:07,877 - Give ‘em hell out there, man, as usual. 21 00:01:07,901 --> 00:01:09,069 - Will do. 22 00:01:11,405 --> 00:01:12,382 - Got him yet? 23 00:01:12,406 --> 00:01:13,466 - Negative. 24 00:01:13,490 --> 00:01:14,551 - He’s right off our nose. 25 00:01:14,575 --> 00:01:15,635 - Got him, visual. 26 00:01:15,659 --> 00:01:16,719 [Narrator] Where pilots learn the skills to be ready 27 00:01:16,743 --> 00:01:18,537 for frontline combat. 28 00:01:18,704 --> 00:01:21,849 - You show up to work every day so that when the 29 00:01:21,873 --> 00:01:23,643 war happens, you win. 30 00:01:23,667 --> 00:01:24,793 - Fight’s on. 31 00:01:25,252 --> 00:01:26,587 [Narrator] From dogfighting... 32 00:01:27,170 --> 00:01:29,047 - Take a shot if you have it. 33 00:01:29,214 --> 00:01:30,191 {\an8}- Fox 2. 34 00:01:30,215 --> 00:01:31,276 {\an8}[Narrator] ...to carrier landings. 35 00:01:31,300 --> 00:01:32,968 - Do not get low and hit the ramp 36 00:01:34,428 --> 00:01:35,721 [Narrator] Low-level flying... 37 00:01:36,138 --> 00:01:37,139 - This is awesome 38 00:01:37,347 --> 00:01:38,324 - It is pretty cool, isn’t it? 39 00:01:38,348 --> 00:01:39,409 - It’s trippy 40 00:01:39,433 --> 00:01:40,793 [Narrator] ...to precision bombing. 41 00:01:44,354 --> 00:01:45,415 - Bullseye 42 00:01:45,439 --> 00:01:46,523 - Hell, yeah! 43 00:01:47,065 --> 00:01:49,502 [Narrator] In pursuit of their fighter pilot wings, 44 00:01:49,526 --> 00:01:51,587 they’ll have to pass the most intense training 45 00:01:51,611 --> 00:01:52,779 of their lives. 46 00:01:53,363 --> 00:01:54,340 - You're gonna overbank 47 00:01:54,364 --> 00:01:55,866 Pull, pull, pull, pull! 48 00:01:59,494 --> 00:02:01,389 - I want my wings. 49 00:02:01,413 --> 00:02:02,682 I've worked so hard for them. 50 00:02:02,706 --> 00:02:04,559 - What up, big dog? 51 00:02:04,583 --> 00:02:06,394 - We're all here to get our wings. 52 00:02:06,418 --> 00:02:07,478 So in terms of dream, 53 00:02:07,502 --> 00:02:09,702 I think I'm kinda like the threshold of living my dream. 54 00:02:10,380 --> 00:02:11,774 - This is where I'm supposed to be. 55 00:02:11,798 --> 00:02:13,884 This is what I was meant to do, and I love it. 56 00:02:15,552 --> 00:02:18,013 [Narrator] But not all of them will make it. 57 00:02:20,182 --> 00:02:21,159 - Damn it! 58 00:02:21,183 --> 00:02:22,243 Look at your Gs 59 00:02:22,267 --> 00:02:23,328 - Oh ♪ 60 00:02:23,352 --> 00:02:25,330 - Right out of the gate it will be an unsat. 61 00:02:25,354 --> 00:02:26,914 - I dropped the ball. 62 00:02:26,938 --> 00:02:28,690 - Woo baby, you like to die. 63 00:02:29,107 --> 00:02:31,193 - I knew that coming here would be a challenge, 64 00:02:31,568 --> 00:02:33,838 I just don't think I had any idea how tough and, 65 00:02:33,862 --> 00:02:35,072 like, what kind of tough. 66 00:02:49,920 --> 00:02:51,272 {\an8}- Navy kinda needs an ocean, 67 00:02:51,296 --> 00:02:52,899 {\an8}so it's a little interesting to have a Navy base 68 00:02:52,923 --> 00:02:54,341 {\an8}here this far inland. 69 00:02:55,050 --> 00:02:57,552 [railroad crossing bell] 70 00:02:58,512 --> 00:03:01,264 {\an8}The town of Meridian is small as Navy towns go. 71 00:03:03,392 --> 00:03:04,744 It's always had a special place in my heart. 72 00:03:04,768 --> 00:03:07,789 I came through as a student, coming back as a, 73 00:03:07,813 --> 00:03:09,415 as a commanding officer. 74 00:03:09,439 --> 00:03:10,857 It's kinda cool. 75 00:03:17,698 --> 00:03:20,134 [pilot] 4,1, take off, single, 3,0. 76 00:03:20,158 --> 00:03:22,053 Ronald, 12,3,0. 77 00:03:22,077 --> 00:03:23,537 Take off, in order. 78 00:03:29,126 --> 00:03:30,585 - Alright, welcome everybody. 79 00:03:33,046 --> 00:03:35,733 We’re all here to train and to learn to be the best 80 00:03:35,757 --> 00:03:37,134 aviators we can be. 81 00:03:38,176 --> 00:03:40,113 It’s a heavy task, it’s a serious task, 82 00:03:40,137 --> 00:03:43,140 but I’m excited for you, welcome to the Squadron. 83 00:03:44,933 --> 00:03:48,204 [Narrator] Each year 150 students are accepted into 84 00:03:48,228 --> 00:03:52,166 Naval Air Station Meridian for the Navy’s notoriously 85 00:03:52,190 --> 00:03:54,359 difficult Advanced Fighter Training. 86 00:03:55,527 --> 00:03:57,547 - There are certain students, when they show up here, 87 00:03:57,571 --> 00:03:59,173 they're on top of the world, 88 00:03:59,197 --> 00:04:00,716 {\an8}they're on the way to their dream, 89 00:04:00,740 --> 00:04:02,367 {\an8}and an equal part of 'em, you know, 90 00:04:02,826 --> 00:04:05,036 {\an8}deer in the headlights like, this is gonna be tough. 91 00:04:07,205 --> 00:04:08,558 [Narrator] Over 6 months... 92 00:04:08,582 --> 00:04:09,767 - There you go. Ease the turn. 93 00:04:09,791 --> 00:04:12,085 [Narrator] ...they'll face a series of grueling tests. 94 00:04:12,502 --> 00:04:13,729 - Do a high start in the middle. 95 00:04:13,753 --> 00:04:15,231 - Yes, sir. 96 00:04:15,255 --> 00:04:16,816 Roger, ball. 97 00:04:16,840 --> 00:04:18,025 - We're going to give you more information, 98 00:04:18,049 --> 00:04:19,694 more data than you can possibly process, 99 00:04:19,718 --> 00:04:22,488 {\an8}and we’re gonna give it to you in a volume and speed 100 00:04:22,512 --> 00:04:24,556 {\an8}that you are not going to be capable of handling. 101 00:04:25,515 --> 00:04:27,452 [Narrator] While a team of instructors, 102 00:04:27,476 --> 00:04:30,079 almost all of them with combat experience, 103 00:04:30,103 --> 00:04:31,855 grade their every move. 104 00:04:32,731 --> 00:04:34,816 - Raise your hand if you think you flew well today. 105 00:04:36,443 --> 00:04:38,296 That’s a good self-assessment. 106 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:39,464 - Yes, ma’am. 107 00:04:39,488 --> 00:04:41,632 [Brad] My job as the Commanding Officer of the Squadron 108 00:04:41,656 --> 00:04:43,634 is to take those students from that kid 109 00:04:43,658 --> 00:04:45,261 who can fly around at 200 knots, 110 00:04:45,285 --> 00:04:47,013 okay, and I gotta make him the kid who can fly around 111 00:04:47,037 --> 00:04:50,099 at Mach 1 with weapons strapped to him and enemies 112 00:04:50,123 --> 00:04:51,976 shooting at him. 113 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,080 This is the transition syllabus that gets them there. 114 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:58,316 The dream is to go be in Top Gun, wear the patch, 115 00:04:58,340 --> 00:04:59,758 this is how you do it. 116 00:05:00,133 --> 00:05:02,093 You come to my squadron, that's how you get there. 117 00:05:03,762 --> 00:05:05,573 [Narrator] It takes many years of training, 118 00:05:05,597 --> 00:05:08,075 deployments, and combat experience to reach the 119 00:05:08,099 --> 00:05:10,018 Navy’s Top Gun training program. 120 00:05:11,144 --> 00:05:12,896 But this is where that journey begins, 121 00:05:13,772 --> 00:05:17,627 and every month a new class arrives of young pilots. 122 00:05:17,651 --> 00:05:18,878 - This. 123 00:05:18,902 --> 00:05:20,379 [Narrator] With big ambitions. 124 00:05:20,403 --> 00:05:22,882 {\an8}- So our students come to us with a variety of backgrounds 125 00:05:22,906 --> 00:05:24,324 {\an8}and a variety of personalities. 126 00:05:24,658 --> 00:05:25,992 [barking] 127 00:05:27,285 --> 00:05:28,387 - Henry. 128 00:05:28,411 --> 00:05:30,731 [Justin] Some find themselves a little bit more aggressive, 129 00:05:32,999 --> 00:05:35,603 some find themselves a little bit more humble, 130 00:05:35,627 --> 00:05:37,337 perhaps shy or introverted. 131 00:05:38,547 --> 00:05:39,982 {\an8}- I just have a tendency to talk to much. 132 00:05:40,006 --> 00:05:41,842 {\an8}I’m working on it, but I can’t help it. 133 00:05:42,592 --> 00:05:44,153 {\an8}- I love to sing and I paint. 134 00:05:44,177 --> 00:05:45,595 {\an8}Yeah, I like the arts! 135 00:05:46,012 --> 00:05:46,989 {\an8}[Justin] At the end of the day, 136 00:05:47,013 --> 00:05:48,366 if you bring performance, 137 00:05:48,390 --> 00:05:49,700 [gunshot] 138 00:05:49,724 --> 00:05:51,410 that's gonna carry your reputation greater and further 139 00:05:51,434 --> 00:05:52,644 than anything else. 140 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:54,855 - Woo hoo hoo! 141 00:05:59,693 --> 00:06:01,420 My name is Austin Claggett, 142 00:06:01,444 --> 00:06:03,488 I’m a 1st Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. 143 00:06:06,199 --> 00:06:09,703 My family definitely knows me as "Crazy Austin." 144 00:06:12,622 --> 00:06:16,293 {\an8}I'll just do the things that no one else would dare do. 145 00:06:18,795 --> 00:06:20,589 Woo, hoo, hoo. 146 00:06:24,551 --> 00:06:26,887 I am definitely married to the military right now, 147 00:06:27,387 --> 00:06:29,431 and it is my priority. 148 00:06:30,223 --> 00:06:33,244 I'm looking to go to the Marine Corp's equivalent 149 00:06:33,268 --> 00:06:34,394 of Top Gun. 150 00:06:36,271 --> 00:06:41,151 Chasing an “unrealistic” goal, should be the goal. 151 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:46,299 [Justin] You know, coming in with maybe a bit of swagger 152 00:06:46,323 --> 00:06:48,634 and a bit of excitement is not atypical, 153 00:06:48,658 --> 00:06:51,178 but I think once everyone has been through 154 00:06:51,202 --> 00:06:55,057 their first flight, and they see how hard it is, 155 00:06:55,081 --> 00:06:57,459 they see how fast it is, 156 00:06:58,877 --> 00:07:01,463 they are in for a rude awakening. 157 00:07:13,141 --> 00:07:16,478 [♪ intense music playing] 158 00:07:18,563 --> 00:07:21,024 [Narrator] For their first Advanced Phase exercise, 159 00:07:21,483 --> 00:07:23,711 students have relocated to a remote base in 160 00:07:23,735 --> 00:07:25,070 the Californian desert, 161 00:07:28,865 --> 00:07:30,760 where they will get their first taste 162 00:07:30,784 --> 00:07:32,077 of strike bombing. 163 00:07:32,994 --> 00:07:34,037 [explosion] 164 00:07:36,831 --> 00:07:39,226 - Good morning, sir. - Good morning. 165 00:07:39,250 --> 00:07:40,853 Claggett, everything good with you? 166 00:07:40,877 --> 00:07:41,979 - Yes, sir. Good to see you. 167 00:07:42,003 --> 00:07:43,272 - Good to see you again. 168 00:07:43,296 --> 00:07:45,441 [Narrator] Tomorrow, the students will have bombs 169 00:07:45,465 --> 00:07:48,218 strapped to their aircraft for the first time. 170 00:07:48,927 --> 00:07:50,553 [radio] Park up first, you guys. 171 00:07:51,304 --> 00:07:52,740 [Narrator] They'll be graded on both how 172 00:07:52,764 --> 00:07:54,099 safely they fly, 173 00:07:55,433 --> 00:07:58,103 and on the accuracy of their bomb drops. 174 00:07:59,854 --> 00:08:02,440 - Strike 41-01, Charlie Delta 1-1 call sign, 175 00:08:02,816 --> 00:08:04,418 Hammer 1-1 tactical call sign. 176 00:08:04,442 --> 00:08:06,194 [Austin] Strike is dangerous. 177 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:09,173 The second you start dropping bombs, 178 00:08:09,197 --> 00:08:10,407 you're in advanced. 179 00:08:10,949 --> 00:08:13,326 You're no longer learning the basics, 180 00:08:14,077 --> 00:08:16,246 you're now learning tactical mission sets. 181 00:08:16,830 --> 00:08:18,057 - Join for the need work card, 182 00:08:18,081 --> 00:08:19,809 Strike 40 101, Charlie Delta, 183 00:08:19,833 --> 00:08:21,644 21, 24, Hammer, 21 to 24. 184 00:08:21,668 --> 00:08:24,230 [Narrator] Ahead of tomorrow’s graded bombing event, 185 00:08:24,254 --> 00:08:26,982 students have just one flight to see the range for 186 00:08:27,006 --> 00:08:30,277 the first time and learn the high-risk maneuvers 187 00:08:30,301 --> 00:08:31,761 they will need to execute. 188 00:08:32,971 --> 00:08:35,252 [Steph] Strike, it's a very intense chunk of the training, 189 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:37,368 and they, they want it to be like that. 190 00:08:37,392 --> 00:08:40,329 - I think we're still working runway 2-6, if I'm not mistaken. 191 00:08:40,353 --> 00:08:42,456 [Steph] It's an intense mission set that most of us are gonna 192 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:44,834 be involved in, in the fleet, for real. 193 00:08:44,858 --> 00:08:46,860 I want to be able to do it well. 194 00:08:47,610 --> 00:08:49,404 - Alright, let's do it. 195 00:08:51,573 --> 00:08:54,159 - Are you nervous about today? Or are you excited? 196 00:08:54,826 --> 00:08:56,202 - Nervous. 197 00:08:58,329 --> 00:09:00,331 But let's go out there, have some fun. 198 00:09:01,249 --> 00:09:03,185 - Both, for sure. - A bit of both. 199 00:09:03,209 --> 00:09:04,687 - I'd say. 200 00:09:04,711 --> 00:09:06,838 That's like every flight, though, honestly. 201 00:09:07,756 --> 00:09:09,883 - Have a good flight, anyway. 202 00:09:10,425 --> 00:09:12,820 [Narrator] The students have spent the past 6 months in the 203 00:09:12,844 --> 00:09:14,387 Intermediate training phase, 204 00:09:15,013 --> 00:09:17,390 learning the basics of flying a high-performance jet. 205 00:09:18,391 --> 00:09:20,769 But this is a huge step up. 206 00:09:21,269 --> 00:09:22,246 [Austin] Canopy. 207 00:09:22,270 --> 00:09:24,165 [Narrator] And instructors won’t clear them safe to fly 208 00:09:24,189 --> 00:09:27,835 with bombs unless they’re satisfied each student can 209 00:09:27,859 --> 00:09:29,444 handle the pressure. 210 00:09:30,612 --> 00:09:32,965 - It can feel scary when you're doing something for 211 00:09:32,989 --> 00:09:34,050 the first time. 212 00:09:34,074 --> 00:09:36,910 {\an8}There's so many things that could go wrong. 213 00:09:38,995 --> 00:09:41,515 [tower] El Centro Tower Charlie Delta 11 T6 ready for departure. 214 00:09:44,959 --> 00:09:45,936 INSTRUCTOR Alright, let's go 215 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:47,045 AUSTIN Roger that 216 00:09:57,305 --> 00:09:59,682 [Brad] This job comes with risk. 217 00:10:01,226 --> 00:10:03,537 This is not a flying club. 218 00:10:03,561 --> 00:10:05,998 If you make a mistake in this business, 219 00:10:06,022 --> 00:10:08,358 it is possible that you don't come back. 220 00:10:09,150 --> 00:10:11,879 INSTRUCTOR The target will be off the nose in 15 miles 221 00:10:11,903 --> 00:10:13,464 [Narrator] The students deploy to the bombing range 222 00:10:13,488 --> 00:10:14,924 in groups of four, 223 00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:18,701 flying in tactical formation, just 50 feet apart. 224 00:10:21,621 --> 00:10:23,140 INSTRUCTOR OK, this is a little bit tight 225 00:10:23,164 --> 00:10:24,892 INSTRUCTOR Alright, smaller corrections 226 00:10:24,916 --> 00:10:26,602 INSTRUCTOR Let’s just focus on the form flying 227 00:10:26,626 --> 00:10:27,770 - Yes, sir 228 00:10:27,794 --> 00:10:30,022 [Narrator] The risks of student pilots flying in close 229 00:10:30,046 --> 00:10:33,716 formation is something all instructors take seriously. 230 00:10:34,843 --> 00:10:36,320 INSTRUCTOR Actually yeah, we're still tight. 231 00:10:36,344 --> 00:10:38,680 Just ease yourself away 232 00:10:39,889 --> 00:10:42,433 INSTRUCTOR Slow with the throttle, line up the helmets 233 00:10:43,810 --> 00:10:45,788 INSTRUCTOR Alright, that's nice right there 234 00:10:45,812 --> 00:10:46,872 INSTRUCTOR Wiggle the fingers, wiggle the toes 235 00:10:46,896 --> 00:10:48,256 INSTRUCTOR It helps a lot in strike 236 00:10:48,690 --> 00:10:49,691 {\an8}- Yes sir. 237 00:10:49,816 --> 00:10:51,609 INSTRUCTOR You are 1 mile south of the target 238 00:10:52,485 --> 00:10:54,421 {\an8}[Narrator] Flying in Austin's group are Steph, 239 00:10:54,445 --> 00:10:56,614 {\an8}Carissa, and Spenser. 240 00:10:57,824 --> 00:11:00,451 INSTRUCTOR 250 is a good speed, manage your speed 241 00:11:01,035 --> 00:11:02,036 {\an8}SPENSER Copy 242 00:11:02,662 --> 00:11:04,222 INSTRUCTOR My controls here for a second 243 00:11:04,581 --> 00:11:05,724 INSTRUCTOR Alright, I want you to look down 244 00:11:05,748 --> 00:11:06,809 - Yes, sir. 245 00:11:06,833 --> 00:11:09,228 INSTRUCTOR And find the target, OK, can you see it over there? 246 00:11:09,252 --> 00:11:10,253 SPENSER Negative yet 247 00:11:11,296 --> 00:11:12,481 SPENSER Oh I think I got it 248 00:11:12,505 --> 00:11:13,566 Yes, sir 249 00:11:13,590 --> 00:11:14,692 INSTRUCTOR Alright, that's the target 250 00:11:14,716 --> 00:11:15,776 INSTRUCTOR Are you ready for the controls back? 251 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:16,861 SPENSER Yes, sir 252 00:11:16,885 --> 00:11:17,945 INSTRUCTOR You have the controls 253 00:11:17,969 --> 00:11:19,029 SPENSER I have controls 254 00:11:19,053 --> 00:11:21,532 [Narrator] For this dry run it’s all about staying calm 255 00:11:21,556 --> 00:11:22,932 and in control. 256 00:11:24,017 --> 00:11:26,871 Instructors need to see the students can communicate 257 00:11:26,895 --> 00:11:30,416 clearly in the cockpit, that they can fly the attack run 258 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:35,379 precisely and above all, that they can hold their nerve and 259 00:11:35,403 --> 00:11:38,424 stay in control while diving at the ground at over 260 00:11:38,448 --> 00:11:39,991 400 miles an hour. 261 00:11:43,203 --> 00:11:44,263 RANGE CONTROL 7 knots true 262 00:11:44,287 --> 00:11:45,413 RANGE CONTROL Winds are calm 263 00:11:46,331 --> 00:11:47,624 INSTRUCTOR Alright, here we go 264 00:11:48,124 --> 00:11:49,101 INSTRUCTOR I'll give you the controls back 265 00:11:49,125 --> 00:11:50,186 {\an8}STEPH I have controls 266 00:11:50,210 --> 00:11:51,270 {\an8}INSTRUCTOR You have controls 267 00:11:51,294 --> 00:11:52,354 {\an8}(SUB [Steph] OK. 268 00:11:52,378 --> 00:11:53,439 {\an8}[Narrator] First up is Steph Harris, 269 00:11:53,463 --> 00:11:54,648 {\an8}who’s been impressive in early training. 270 00:11:54,672 --> 00:11:55,712 {\an8}STEPH Breaking high pattern 271 00:12:01,012 --> 00:12:02,472 STEPH Hammer 4, in heading 143 272 00:12:09,687 --> 00:12:11,397 INSTRUCTOR This is looking pretty healthy 273 00:12:19,239 --> 00:12:20,479 INSTRUCTOR Hard pull! Hard pull! 274 00:12:23,117 --> 00:12:24,157 INSTRUCTOR Get the nose up! 275 00:12:25,119 --> 00:12:26,096 INSTRUCTOR Nice 276 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:27,330 STEPH Hammer 4, off safe 277 00:12:30,208 --> 00:12:31,334 INSTRUCTOR Make your call 278 00:12:32,460 --> 00:12:33,980 {\an8}SPENSER Hammer 2, breaking high pattern 279 00:12:40,343 --> 00:12:42,023 INSTRUCTOR There we go, that's looking nice 280 00:12:45,223 --> 00:12:46,975 SPENSER Hammer 2, off safe 281 00:12:54,107 --> 00:12:55,751 INSTRUCTOR Alright, power up 282 00:12:55,775 --> 00:12:57,086 INSTRUCTOR And then you will accelerate going 283 00:12:57,110 --> 00:12:58,170 downhill for sure 284 00:12:58,194 --> 00:12:59,279 AUSTIN Yes, sir 285 00:13:00,238 --> 00:13:02,615 [Narrator] Last to perform the maneuver is Austin. 286 00:13:04,826 --> 00:13:05,803 [Austin] Flying is dangerous, 287 00:13:05,827 --> 00:13:07,537 and the type of flying we do is dangerous. 288 00:13:08,997 --> 00:13:10,766 And the margin for error and time to think about 289 00:13:10,790 --> 00:13:13,209 it is none, and none. 290 00:13:14,043 --> 00:13:15,123 INSTRUCTOR Alright, let's go 291 00:13:15,586 --> 00:13:17,171 [Austin] And I love that. 292 00:13:17,672 --> 00:13:19,215 AUSTIN Hammer 1, breaking high pattern 293 00:13:28,891 --> 00:13:30,685 AUSTIN Hammer 1, in heading 115 294 00:13:43,489 --> 00:13:45,825 [Austin] That first roll in, 295 00:13:46,409 --> 00:13:51,122 that was the first time that I've been scared. 296 00:13:55,626 --> 00:13:57,003 INSTRUCTOR Hard Pull! Hard Pull! 297 00:14:01,799 --> 00:14:03,694 INSTRUCTOR Make sure you say ‘off safe’ 298 00:14:03,718 --> 00:14:05,011 AUSTIN Hammer 1, off safe 299 00:14:12,226 --> 00:14:13,786 INSTRUCTOR How are you feeling up there? 300 00:14:17,815 --> 00:14:19,543 AUSTIN Sir, looking at the ground like that 301 00:14:19,567 --> 00:14:20,693 for the first time 302 00:14:21,486 --> 00:14:22,487 is, ah 303 00:14:23,696 --> 00:14:25,323 way different than the simulators 304 00:14:26,866 --> 00:14:28,986 INSTRUCTOR I thought you were fighting it a little bit 305 00:14:31,746 --> 00:14:32,914 AUSTIN Yeah, that wasn't nice 306 00:14:44,967 --> 00:14:47,220 [jet engines power down] 307 00:14:55,353 --> 00:14:58,481 - I'm used to being out of my element, that's home, 308 00:14:59,524 --> 00:15:03,319 but I'm not used to having a physiological response of fear. 309 00:15:04,654 --> 00:15:08,032 This was more scared than I've been in a jet so far. 310 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,619 - It's fast. Really fast. 311 00:15:12,411 --> 00:15:14,622 - Hey, how was it? - We did it. 312 00:15:15,248 --> 00:15:16,749 {\an8}- You did it. 313 00:15:19,085 --> 00:15:20,211 - It was awesome. 314 00:15:20,586 --> 00:15:23,190 Which is how it goes, where you're like you're nervous, 315 00:15:23,214 --> 00:15:24,775 you're nervous, you're nervous, and then you get to do it, 316 00:15:24,799 --> 00:15:27,009 you come back, you're like, alright, that was fun. 317 00:15:27,468 --> 00:15:28,445 - Apologies to both of you. 318 00:15:28,469 --> 00:15:31,139 My form is a little choppy, it’s been quite a while. 319 00:15:34,517 --> 00:15:36,269 - If I was in charge, I would fail me. 320 00:15:36,769 --> 00:15:37,746 - I don't know. 321 00:15:37,770 --> 00:15:39,748 The first flight, it's not good, usually, 322 00:15:39,772 --> 00:15:40,833 because it's all new. 323 00:15:40,857 --> 00:15:42,084 - Yeah, that's fair. 324 00:15:42,108 --> 00:15:43,877 - Yeah, alright I'm gonna wait out in the hallway 325 00:15:43,901 --> 00:15:45,069 for the instructors. 326 00:15:45,820 --> 00:15:47,196 - Okay, I'll join you. 327 00:15:47,780 --> 00:15:49,782 Can't wait to get roasted. 328 00:15:50,533 --> 00:15:52,094 [Narrator] Even though this was dry run, 329 00:15:52,118 --> 00:15:55,013 if there are any doubts about a student’s ability to perform, 330 00:15:55,037 --> 00:15:56,723 they’ll be held back from tomorrow’s 331 00:15:56,747 --> 00:15:58,249 live bombing exercise. 332 00:15:59,250 --> 00:16:01,562 {\an8}- Somebody described flight school one time as taking the 333 00:16:01,586 --> 00:16:03,671 {\an8}driver's test every day, 334 00:16:04,630 --> 00:16:06,340 and you know the grader is brutal. 335 00:16:07,216 --> 00:16:09,736 [Narrator] Instructors note the speed each student 336 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:10,887 attacked the target. 337 00:16:11,220 --> 00:16:13,365 - Good job with airspeed control. You didn't get too fast. 338 00:16:13,389 --> 00:16:14,700 You had just enough power. 339 00:16:14,724 --> 00:16:16,118 [Narrator] That they kept a safe separation 340 00:16:16,142 --> 00:16:17,268 from other aircraft. 341 00:16:17,685 --> 00:16:20,164 - Make sure we're never highlighting our buddies that 342 00:16:20,188 --> 00:16:21,665 are in a bad position. 343 00:16:21,689 --> 00:16:23,959 - But I still think you need to turn just a little bit earlier. 344 00:16:23,983 --> 00:16:25,210 [Steph] OK. 345 00:16:25,234 --> 00:16:26,670 [Narrator] And, most importantly, 346 00:16:26,694 --> 00:16:28,029 that they were flying safely. 347 00:16:29,071 --> 00:16:31,425 - Things are coming faster, you're doing 100 knots more, 348 00:16:31,449 --> 00:16:33,427 you're lower to the ground, you're under a lot more G, 349 00:16:33,451 --> 00:16:35,453 and your brain starts to fall behind the airplane. 350 00:16:36,871 --> 00:16:39,183 So a lot of your position calls were late, 351 00:16:39,207 --> 00:16:40,267 and I'm having to prompt you. 352 00:16:40,291 --> 00:16:41,852 One time lead had to prompt us. 353 00:16:41,876 --> 00:16:43,562 Some of those calls were hammer one, 354 00:16:43,586 --> 00:16:47,632 two prior, 1.1.6. 355 00:16:48,382 --> 00:16:50,527 It's just like a five-second radio call, 356 00:16:50,551 --> 00:16:52,511 and the guy is just dying, 357 00:16:53,095 --> 00:16:55,157 waiting for you to stop talking so that he can figure 358 00:16:55,181 --> 00:16:56,307 out where he's going. 359 00:16:58,142 --> 00:16:59,995 That could have gotten pretty gnarly, 360 00:17:00,019 --> 00:17:01,580 and it would have been mass chaos trying to get 361 00:17:01,604 --> 00:17:03,064 that thing back on the rails. 362 00:17:04,857 --> 00:17:06,897 [Narrator] Austin's errors have affected his grades. 363 00:17:07,193 --> 00:17:08,170 - Well, thanks for your time, sir. 364 00:17:08,194 --> 00:17:10,172 - Sweet Claggett, good flying man - Thanks a lot. 365 00:17:10,196 --> 00:17:11,965 [Narrator] But he’s been cleared to progress to the 366 00:17:11,989 --> 00:17:14,075 bombing stage with the rest of his classmates. 367 00:17:14,408 --> 00:17:15,886 - Cool. Well, we'll see you tomorrow 368 00:17:15,910 --> 00:17:17,990 [Steph] Alright. Sounds good. Yeah, see you tomorrow. 369 00:17:21,540 --> 00:17:23,769 - In my mind, I was like, 370 00:17:23,793 --> 00:17:25,187 I'm not surprised if he's like, 371 00:17:25,211 --> 00:17:26,837 you're close, but no cigar. 372 00:17:27,463 --> 00:17:29,107 Coming back from that first one, 373 00:17:29,131 --> 00:17:30,442 I was definitely caught off guard. 374 00:17:30,466 --> 00:17:31,527 And talking to the other guys, 375 00:17:31,551 --> 00:17:33,362 they seemed like that didn't really happen to them, 376 00:17:33,386 --> 00:17:35,388 so I sort of fell behind the pack. 377 00:17:36,264 --> 00:17:37,449 And I will say, uh, 378 00:17:37,473 --> 00:17:39,350 I'm gonna jack things up if I don't fix that, 379 00:17:39,767 --> 00:17:42,770 so, there it is, you know. 380 00:17:45,481 --> 00:17:46,500 [Susan] He's a good dude. 381 00:17:46,524 --> 00:17:47,584 He's gonna be awesome. 382 00:17:47,608 --> 00:17:50,236 He kinda reminds me of "Goose" from Top Gun. 383 00:17:51,028 --> 00:17:52,464 - Goose? 384 00:17:52,488 --> 00:17:54,091 Really? 385 00:17:54,115 --> 00:17:55,717 She said that? 386 00:17:55,741 --> 00:17:56,802 Goose dies. 387 00:17:56,826 --> 00:17:59,328 I hope there's not any similarities. 388 00:18:04,750 --> 00:18:06,562 [Narrator] For many of the students. 389 00:18:06,586 --> 00:18:07,878 [Spenser] Hey Carissa. 390 00:18:08,254 --> 00:18:10,464 [Narrator] Becoming a fighter pilot is in their blood. 391 00:18:12,466 --> 00:18:13,819 {\an8}- I grew up in the military. 392 00:18:13,843 --> 00:18:16,554 {\an8}My dad was a Marine Corps officer for 31 years. 393 00:18:17,471 --> 00:18:19,640 So my grandpa was in the Navy before that. 394 00:18:20,975 --> 00:18:24,061 {\an8}- My dad was an A-7 pilot. 395 00:18:25,438 --> 00:18:27,773 He winged out of Meridian in 1972. 396 00:18:28,107 --> 00:18:29,918 So I grew up around flying. 397 00:18:29,942 --> 00:18:31,003 It didn’t put any pressure on me, 398 00:18:31,027 --> 00:18:33,005 I think it made me more excited knowing that he has 399 00:18:33,029 --> 00:18:35,173 been here dropping little practice bombs like 400 00:18:35,197 --> 00:18:36,574 I'm gonna do. 401 00:18:38,659 --> 00:18:39,761 - 3:21. 402 00:18:39,785 --> 00:18:40,846 [Narrator] But for Austin... 403 00:18:40,870 --> 00:18:42,097 - 3:24. 404 00:18:42,121 --> 00:18:44,474 [Narrator] ...the idea of joining the military was 405 00:18:44,498 --> 00:18:46,584 all his own. 406 00:18:48,044 --> 00:18:50,963 - No one in the family is in the military. 407 00:18:53,299 --> 00:18:57,904 But being a fighter pilot has been one of my 408 00:18:57,928 --> 00:18:59,138 lifelong dreams. 409 00:19:00,264 --> 00:19:02,993 There's some photos of nine-year-old me 410 00:19:03,017 --> 00:19:06,103 up on an F-18 looking into the cockpit, 411 00:19:07,188 --> 00:19:10,358 and it's clearly sparked something inside of me. 412 00:19:11,567 --> 00:19:12,652 - Go. 413 00:19:15,988 --> 00:19:17,841 [Austin] You know it’s crazy to look at that photo 414 00:19:17,865 --> 00:19:21,786 because I had no idea that this was a possibility, 415 00:19:23,954 --> 00:19:25,790 I just thought it was super cool. 416 00:19:27,375 --> 00:19:29,311 - I'm crazy proud of him. 417 00:19:29,335 --> 00:19:34,340 {\an8}Not very many people in the world get to fly fast jets, 418 00:19:35,424 --> 00:19:38,654 and the fact that he is willing to go out there and 419 00:19:38,678 --> 00:19:43,182 risk his life for our country is special. 420 00:19:45,935 --> 00:19:48,270 On the flip side, I'm terrified. 421 00:20:07,415 --> 00:20:08,558 [Narrator] For the first time, 422 00:20:08,582 --> 00:20:10,394 for these trainee fighter pilots, 423 00:20:10,418 --> 00:20:12,128 their jets are being armed. 424 00:20:15,756 --> 00:20:18,259 - It is for sure stressful. 425 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:20,737 We're pointing down at the ground. 426 00:20:20,761 --> 00:20:22,739 {\an8}We're doing 450, 500 miles an hour. 427 00:20:22,763 --> 00:20:25,516 {\an8}The time to impact is measured in, seconds. 428 00:20:27,059 --> 00:20:29,371 Maybe some people will struggle a little bit here for 429 00:20:29,395 --> 00:20:30,813 the first time. 430 00:20:31,605 --> 00:20:33,458 So, yes, we're, we're definitely keeping an eye on 431 00:20:33,482 --> 00:20:34,734 them much more closely. 432 00:20:35,109 --> 00:20:37,045 - Any problems in the dive, pull back as hard as you can. 433 00:20:37,069 --> 00:20:38,130 If you can't, 434 00:20:38,154 --> 00:20:39,256 get the nose pointed away from the ground. 435 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:41,675 Man ejection altitudes 200 feet in the 10. 436 00:20:41,699 --> 00:20:43,427 [Narrator] Now they’re not just being graded 437 00:20:43,451 --> 00:20:44,761 on their flying, 438 00:20:44,785 --> 00:20:46,746 but also their bombing accuracy. 439 00:20:48,038 --> 00:20:49,975 [Carissa] You spend so much time just learning how to fly the 440 00:20:49,999 --> 00:20:51,727 {\an8}airplane that all of a sudden, 441 00:20:51,751 --> 00:20:53,645 {\an8}when they're asking you to do something while 442 00:20:53,669 --> 00:20:55,838 {\an8}flying the airplane, your brain kind of explodes. 443 00:20:56,547 --> 00:20:59,467 - We've got 20 seconds spacing in between the four of us. 444 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:01,695 You're gonna see me start to execute my descent 445 00:21:01,719 --> 00:21:03,053 through the sky. 446 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:06,992 [Narrator] This is also the stage when the reality 447 00:21:07,016 --> 00:21:09,101 of combat begins to set in. 448 00:21:10,436 --> 00:21:12,497 {\an8}- When students check in here, 449 00:21:12,521 --> 00:21:14,833 {\an8}one of the things we talk about is what 450 00:21:14,857 --> 00:21:17,943 {\an8}we are preparing to do in this business, 451 00:21:19,236 --> 00:21:21,822 which is ending a human being’s life. 452 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:26,928 If you don't wrestle with the ethics of that, 453 00:21:26,952 --> 00:21:28,579 then you're not ready to do this job. 454 00:21:29,163 --> 00:21:31,523 - Make sure you got the charge in there with the Cotter pin. 455 00:21:31,749 --> 00:21:36,086 - I've always been a believer in what this country stands for. 456 00:21:36,879 --> 00:21:39,524 {\an8}I've always felt very confident that the orders I would be 457 00:21:39,548 --> 00:21:43,636 {\an8}given would be for the betterment of society and 458 00:21:44,011 --> 00:21:45,346 hopefully for our troops. 459 00:21:46,222 --> 00:21:47,908 [Steph] You always wonder if you can do it. 460 00:21:47,932 --> 00:21:49,534 When it comes in my face, am I going to be able 461 00:21:49,558 --> 00:21:50,810 to kill somebody? 462 00:21:52,269 --> 00:21:53,729 {\an8}I don't know. 463 00:21:54,438 --> 00:21:57,250 {\an8}- I know what I signed up for, and I'm okay with that, 464 00:21:57,274 --> 00:21:58,335 {\an8}and I'm proud of that. 465 00:21:58,359 --> 00:22:01,421 Like I will do whatever is needed of me and asked me, 466 00:22:01,445 --> 00:22:04,174 and they do a great job here of training us to make sure 467 00:22:04,198 --> 00:22:06,384 we are ready for whatever is ahead. 468 00:22:06,408 --> 00:22:09,054 But I'm still learning how to fly right now, 469 00:22:09,078 --> 00:22:11,038 so I've got a lot of other things to think about. 470 00:22:18,128 --> 00:22:19,564 [Susan] Are you excited about today? 471 00:22:19,588 --> 00:22:20,649 [Austin] Yeah, I'm more excited about today. 472 00:22:20,673 --> 00:22:22,716 - Yeah? A little less nervous? 473 00:22:26,554 --> 00:22:29,199 Gonna be curious about whether or not you're scared 474 00:22:29,223 --> 00:22:30,408 coming in again. 475 00:22:30,432 --> 00:22:32,452 - Yeah, the first time was a bit steep. 476 00:22:32,476 --> 00:22:33,995 I was like, that's a lot of ground. 477 00:22:34,019 --> 00:22:35,855 - There's a whole lot of ground. 478 00:22:36,313 --> 00:22:38,333 [Narrator] Today, Austin needs to show he can overcome 479 00:22:38,357 --> 00:22:40,609 his fear and keep up with his classmates. 480 00:22:43,779 --> 00:22:45,364 {\an8}AUSTIN Ready on the front 481 00:22:46,365 --> 00:22:47,445 {\an8}CARISSA Mask on in the front 482 00:22:49,118 --> 00:22:50,220 {\an8}SPENSER Take off checks complete 483 00:22:50,244 --> 00:22:51,495 INSTRUCTOR Ready in back 484 00:22:53,789 --> 00:22:55,624 {\an8}STEPH Clear for takeoff. Charlie Delta 01 485 00:23:01,839 --> 00:23:03,358 INSTRUCTOR Now, let's start working 486 00:23:03,382 --> 00:23:04,442 INSTRUCTOR Get that throttle up, 487 00:23:04,466 --> 00:23:05,735 we’ve got a lot of work to do yet 488 00:23:05,759 --> 00:23:06,760 AUSTIN Yes, sir 489 00:23:10,848 --> 00:23:13,225 INSTRUCTOR Target’s off the nose 12 miles 490 00:23:14,935 --> 00:23:17,688 [Narrator] There are three stages to a perfect bomb drop. 491 00:23:18,856 --> 00:23:21,293 Students need to make exact radio calls as they 492 00:23:21,317 --> 00:23:24,111 enter a steep dive from 8,000 feet. 493 00:23:24,862 --> 00:23:26,882 They need to release their bombs precisely at 494 00:23:26,906 --> 00:23:28,324 the right moment. 495 00:23:29,533 --> 00:23:30,910 Then the hardest part, 496 00:23:31,702 --> 00:23:33,555 they need to pull up sharply before they reach the 497 00:23:33,579 --> 00:23:35,748 altitude limit of 3,000 feet, 498 00:23:36,498 --> 00:23:39,728 but not too sharply or excessive G forces risk 499 00:23:39,752 --> 00:23:41,003 damaging the jet. 500 00:23:44,340 --> 00:23:45,341 RANGE CONTROL Be advised 501 00:23:45,799 --> 00:23:46,884 RANGE CONTROL Target is hot 502 00:23:50,721 --> 00:23:52,041 INSTRUCTOR Here we go. Strike time 503 00:23:53,265 --> 00:23:55,267 [Narrator] Austin is the first to drop. 504 00:23:57,978 --> 00:23:58,955 INSTRUCTOR Let's do it 505 00:23:58,979 --> 00:24:00,040 {\an8}AUSTIN Yes, sir 506 00:24:00,064 --> 00:24:01,544 {\an8}AUSTIN Hammer 1, breaking high pattern 507 00:24:07,863 --> 00:24:09,114 AUSTIN Target appears clear 508 00:24:11,825 --> 00:24:12,826 INSTRUCTOR Relax 509 00:24:14,954 --> 00:24:16,354 INSTRUCTOR Gotta get you in the zone 510 00:24:38,394 --> 00:24:39,436 RANGE CONTROL 125 feet 511 00:24:40,521 --> 00:24:42,189 AUSTIN Hammer 1, off safe 512 00:24:42,982 --> 00:24:44,024 INSTRUCTOR A little more G 513 00:24:44,566 --> 00:24:45,567 AUSTIN Yes, sir 514 00:24:45,859 --> 00:24:48,019 INSTRUCTOR Are you looking back at where the bomb hits? 515 00:24:48,070 --> 00:24:49,047 AUSTIN Not yet, sir. 516 00:24:49,071 --> 00:24:50,632 I don't think I have the wherewithal yet 517 00:24:50,656 --> 00:24:51,716 INSTRUCTOR Yeah, you do 518 00:24:51,740 --> 00:24:52,801 INSTRUCTOR As soon as we start pulling into the turn 519 00:24:52,825 --> 00:24:53,885 up to the pattern 520 00:24:53,909 --> 00:24:54,970 AUSTIN Yeah 521 00:24:54,994 --> 00:24:56,054 INSTRUCTOR Take a glance 522 00:24:56,078 --> 00:24:58,330 [Narrator] Next up is Spenser Neel. 523 00:24:59,665 --> 00:25:00,642 INSTRUCTOR You're up kid 524 00:25:00,666 --> 00:25:01,750 SPENSER Yes, sir 525 00:25:05,421 --> 00:25:06,505 SPENSER Hammer 2, heading in 526 00:25:07,214 --> 00:25:08,414 INSTRUCTOR Don't forget to trim 527 00:25:08,465 --> 00:25:09,550 SPENSER Yes, sir 528 00:25:14,054 --> 00:25:15,139 RANGE CONTROL 105 feet 529 00:25:18,892 --> 00:25:20,310 INSTRUCTOR Pull to about a 4.8 530 00:25:21,145 --> 00:25:22,789 INSTRUCTOR Harder, little harder 531 00:25:22,813 --> 00:25:23,897 INSTRUCTOR Nice 532 00:25:24,314 --> 00:25:25,691 SPENSER Hammer 2, off safe 533 00:25:26,525 --> 00:25:28,045 CARISSA Hammer 3, breaking high pattern 534 00:25:31,947 --> 00:25:33,027 CARISSA Target appears clear 535 00:25:37,494 --> 00:25:39,038 RANGE CONTROL 102 feet 536 00:25:40,706 --> 00:25:42,791 INSTRUCTOR That's a good 4.8, looking good 537 00:25:43,375 --> 00:25:44,793 CARISSA Hammer 3, off safe 538 00:25:47,921 --> 00:25:49,361 STEPH Hammer 4, breaking high pattern 539 00:25:51,592 --> 00:25:52,736 RANGE CONTROL 87 feet 540 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:53,844 AUSTIN Hammer 1, heading in 541 00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:56,364 [Narrator] Every hit is recorded. 542 00:25:56,388 --> 00:25:57,473 RANGE CONTROL 73 feet 543 00:25:58,015 --> 00:25:59,095 SPENSER Hammer 2, heading in 544 00:25:59,266 --> 00:26:00,827 [Narrator] And the closer the students strike... 545 00:26:00,851 --> 00:26:01,935 RANGE CONTROL 60 feet 546 00:26:02,352 --> 00:26:03,538 [Narrator] ...the more points they’ll get in 547 00:26:03,562 --> 00:26:04,813 their final grades. 548 00:26:05,147 --> 00:26:06,124 INSTRUCTOR You're looking good 549 00:26:06,148 --> 00:26:07,232 RANGE CONTROL 49 feet 550 00:26:07,649 --> 00:26:09,210 INSTRUCTOR Nice, you're dialing it in 551 00:26:09,234 --> 00:26:10,319 CARISSA Woo! 552 00:26:11,195 --> 00:26:12,362 STEPH Hammer 4, heading in 553 00:26:15,282 --> 00:26:16,825 SPENSER Hammer 2, heading 143 554 00:26:18,077 --> 00:26:19,054 RANGE CONTROL 20 feet 555 00:26:19,078 --> 00:26:20,138 INSTRUCTOR Bam! 556 00:26:20,162 --> 00:26:21,246 SPENSER Wooo! 557 00:26:30,589 --> 00:26:31,632 INSTRUCTOR Damn it! 558 00:26:32,549 --> 00:26:34,029 INSTRUCTOR We gotta go up to Lame Duck 559 00:26:35,302 --> 00:26:36,303 - What happened, sir? 560 00:26:37,221 --> 00:26:38,261 INSTRUCTOR Look at your G's 561 00:26:40,307 --> 00:26:41,308 SPENSER Oh ♪♪♪♪ 562 00:26:41,517 --> 00:26:43,286 [Narrator] Spencer has pushed the jet beyond its 563 00:26:43,310 --> 00:26:44,454 safe G limit. 564 00:26:44,478 --> 00:26:46,814 SPENSER Hammer 2, headed to Lame Duck 565 00:26:47,856 --> 00:26:49,793 [Narrator] And now must fly to a holding altitude known 566 00:26:49,817 --> 00:26:51,068 as Lame Duck, 567 00:26:51,527 --> 00:26:53,112 safely above the rest of the students. 568 00:26:54,571 --> 00:26:56,132 INSTRUCTOR Yeah, you had a strong pull right on 569 00:26:56,156 --> 00:26:57,217 the safe escape 570 00:26:57,241 --> 00:26:58,635 INSTRUCTOR And then you just yanked one little 571 00:26:58,659 --> 00:26:59,719 pull too hard 572 00:26:59,743 --> 00:27:01,303 INSTRUCTOR And that's what trumped it up 573 00:27:02,830 --> 00:27:04,933 [Justin] If you should happen to pull even for an instant, 574 00:27:04,957 --> 00:27:06,959 anything above the 6.5Gs, 575 00:27:07,376 --> 00:27:09,646 the jet is considered overstressed and therefore, 576 00:27:09,670 --> 00:27:11,689 you can't continue to practice. 577 00:27:11,713 --> 00:27:13,048 You gotta go home. 578 00:27:13,882 --> 00:27:15,551 SPENSER Man, I'm bummed 579 00:27:15,926 --> 00:27:17,529 INSTRUCTOR It happens, man 580 00:27:17,553 --> 00:27:18,637 SPENSER I know, but 581 00:27:18,929 --> 00:27:19,930 I was having a good time 582 00:27:22,599 --> 00:27:24,184 [Narrator] Back down in the formation. 583 00:27:24,601 --> 00:27:25,769 INSTRUCTOR Position call? 584 00:27:26,395 --> 00:27:29,022 AUSTIN Hammer 1, abeam 2.2 585 00:27:29,398 --> 00:27:32,126 [Narrator] Austin appears to have overcome his fear and 586 00:27:32,150 --> 00:27:34,444 is about to drop his sixth bomb. 587 00:27:36,113 --> 00:27:38,156 AUSTIN Hammer 1, heading 118 588 00:27:41,785 --> 00:27:43,912 AUSTIN Target appears clear 589 00:27:56,925 --> 00:27:58,695 RANGE CONTROL You were 19 feet at ten 590 00:27:58,719 --> 00:27:59,863 RANGE CONTROL Bullseye 591 00:27:59,887 --> 00:28:01,305 AUSTIN Hell, yeah 592 00:28:08,896 --> 00:28:11,690 INSTRUCTOR Remember, 6.6 is our number, right? 593 00:28:12,566 --> 00:28:13,775 AUSTIN Yes sir 594 00:28:14,568 --> 00:28:15,777 AUSTIN Oh ♪♪♪♪ 595 00:28:16,945 --> 00:28:17,946 INSTRUCTOR I have controls 596 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:19,281 AUSTIN You have controls 597 00:28:20,282 --> 00:28:22,362 INSTRUCTOR Hammer 1, heading to Lame Duck. Overstress 598 00:28:24,536 --> 00:28:26,997 [Narrator] Austin now also has to go up to Lame Duck. 599 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:31,251 For both him and Spenser, their flights are over. 600 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:32,937 SPENSER I apologize, sir 601 00:28:32,961 --> 00:28:34,046 AUSTIN Oh, I'm sorry, sir 602 00:28:34,922 --> 00:28:37,282 [Narrator] While the rest of their class finish the mission. 603 00:28:37,883 --> 00:28:40,403 Spenser and Austin must return to base to 604 00:28:40,427 --> 00:28:42,095 face the music. 605 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:56,485 [Austin] When we walk from the plane, it's a silent walk. 606 00:28:58,278 --> 00:29:01,198 There's no talking about what happened during the flight. 607 00:29:02,032 --> 00:29:05,202 I was definitely a little bit tensed up. 608 00:29:07,371 --> 00:29:08,681 [Spenser] As soon as I pulled 6.7, 609 00:29:08,705 --> 00:29:10,350 I just heard that disappointed dad voice in 610 00:29:10,374 --> 00:29:11,434 the back seat, 611 00:29:11,458 --> 00:29:12,793 and it just, it broke my heart. 612 00:29:16,922 --> 00:29:18,566 - It happens, it happens to a lot of people. 613 00:29:18,590 --> 00:29:21,259 It happens to you guys usually like F-18 pilots, 614 00:29:21,635 --> 00:29:23,488 because they're used to being able to go all the way 615 00:29:23,512 --> 00:29:24,989 back to their lap. 616 00:29:25,013 --> 00:29:26,783 You know, and this jet is just super sensitive. 617 00:29:26,807 --> 00:29:29,452 [Spenser] The thing that sucked for me is when you said it, 618 00:29:29,476 --> 00:29:31,871 I was like, I feel like I just let down like my dad, 619 00:29:31,895 --> 00:29:34,791 you were like, I could like hear the disappointment and 620 00:29:34,815 --> 00:29:37,418 I was like, flying home, and then kind of got in my 621 00:29:37,442 --> 00:29:38,503 head a little bit. 622 00:29:38,527 --> 00:29:39,796 - These are all learning points, right? 623 00:29:39,820 --> 00:29:43,216 So, um, I would say now we both know because this is my 624 00:29:43,240 --> 00:29:46,344 first over-stress with a student but don't beat yourself up. 625 00:29:46,368 --> 00:29:47,762 - Right. - We'll debrief all this stuff. 626 00:29:47,786 --> 00:29:49,496 - Yes, sir. 627 00:29:54,209 --> 00:29:55,585 - Oh, no. 628 00:29:56,586 --> 00:29:58,064 [Austin] It was going well. 629 00:29:58,088 --> 00:30:00,024 I dropped six bombs, 630 00:30:00,048 --> 00:30:05,220 snatched the stick, and our limit is 6.5. 631 00:30:05,971 --> 00:30:07,448 I hit 6.6. 632 00:30:07,472 --> 00:30:09,224 - Oh, just barely. 633 00:30:09,725 --> 00:30:11,119 - That's the worst number you could have. 634 00:30:11,143 --> 00:30:13,061 - Dude, 6.6. 635 00:30:13,979 --> 00:30:16,398 - At least it wasn't too bad of an overstress. 636 00:30:18,984 --> 00:30:21,629 [Narrator] Each overstressed jet will be temporarily taken 637 00:30:21,653 --> 00:30:25,591 out of action while engineers meticulously check for any 638 00:30:25,615 --> 00:30:27,117 underlying structural damage. 639 00:30:28,660 --> 00:30:30,304 - My mistake was I didn’t get tight enough... 640 00:30:30,328 --> 00:30:31,597 - How many G’s did you pull? 641 00:30:31,621 --> 00:30:32,682 - Say that again, sir. 642 00:30:32,706 --> 00:30:33,975 - How many did you pull? 643 00:30:33,999 --> 00:30:35,226 - 6.7. 644 00:30:35,250 --> 00:30:37,210 - Okay! 645 00:30:38,754 --> 00:30:39,921 - Nice. 646 00:30:41,131 --> 00:30:42,608 [Narrator] While the students that overstress 647 00:30:42,632 --> 00:30:44,509 their jets wait to hear their fate. 648 00:30:45,552 --> 00:30:47,387 - 47, 54, 42. 649 00:30:47,804 --> 00:30:49,282 - What was after 47? 650 00:30:49,306 --> 00:30:51,683 [Narrator] The rest of the class compares results. 651 00:30:52,976 --> 00:30:54,495 - 108. - Oh, God. 652 00:30:54,519 --> 00:30:56,605 - 61. - Alright, that’s not great. 653 00:30:57,939 --> 00:30:59,441 - Damn, killed it. - I know. 654 00:31:00,484 --> 00:31:02,569 [Narrator] Steph came in top of the class. 655 00:31:03,236 --> 00:31:06,466 [Steph] Woo man, look at this. Look at this. 656 00:31:06,490 --> 00:31:08,342 - I know it’s crazy. - OK. 657 00:31:08,366 --> 00:31:10,511 [Justin] Stephanie's style is one of always trying to 658 00:31:10,535 --> 00:31:13,205 {\an8}find that edge that's going to make her better. 659 00:31:13,789 --> 00:31:15,767 {\an8}And it is one of the more important qualities 660 00:31:15,791 --> 00:31:17,334 {\an8}in a fighter pilot. 661 00:31:17,709 --> 00:31:19,336 [Steph] Hot diggity dog. 662 00:31:27,010 --> 00:31:29,054 - This one will be the overstress pull out. 663 00:31:30,263 --> 00:31:31,765 We're driving too low. 664 00:31:32,099 --> 00:31:33,451 How do we not overstress the jet? 665 00:31:33,475 --> 00:31:36,103 Do a normal safe escape, right? 666 00:31:36,686 --> 00:31:40,065 [Narrator] Austin and Spenser have passed, just... 667 00:31:41,650 --> 00:31:43,795 but they’ll have to up their game in the next flight 668 00:31:43,819 --> 00:31:45,612 to be cleared to fly solo. 669 00:31:47,405 --> 00:31:48,591 - So the next flight, 670 00:31:48,615 --> 00:31:50,676 don't beat yourself up because if you overthink this, 671 00:31:50,700 --> 00:31:52,744 that'll make you mess up something else. 672 00:31:53,161 --> 00:31:54,830 That's about all I got. 673 00:31:55,205 --> 00:31:56,307 - Alright, sir. - Cool? 674 00:31:56,331 --> 00:31:58,083 - Thank you for your time. - Nice work. 675 00:31:59,960 --> 00:32:01,878 - Alright, I'll get it on the next one. 676 00:32:26,069 --> 00:32:27,487 Good toss, man. 677 00:32:28,822 --> 00:32:32,051 That first flight, I think I got the most scared out of 678 00:32:32,075 --> 00:32:34,578 everyone, which is really weird for me. 679 00:32:35,370 --> 00:32:37,348 - We've gotten a lot better from the first flight, for sure, 680 00:32:37,372 --> 00:32:39,058 even if today wasn't the smoothest. 681 00:32:39,082 --> 00:32:40,542 [Austin] Yeah. 682 00:32:41,168 --> 00:32:42,562 [Steph] We're all so unique. 683 00:32:42,586 --> 00:32:44,480 I love them. 684 00:32:44,504 --> 00:32:45,565 I love them so much, 685 00:32:45,589 --> 00:32:47,632 it's been a really good crew to be with. 686 00:32:48,008 --> 00:32:50,302 There's been a lot of bonding moments. 687 00:32:51,136 --> 00:32:53,281 Then also like the nitty-gritty, 688 00:32:53,305 --> 00:32:54,490 I don't feel good, 689 00:32:54,514 --> 00:32:58,119 I feel frustrated, I'm upset, and I'm giving this my all, 690 00:32:58,143 --> 00:32:59,644 and I'm not getting it. 691 00:32:59,978 --> 00:33:02,355 - Like feeling the Gs, like my brain slowed down. 692 00:33:03,648 --> 00:33:05,710 [Austin] In the, you know, where we take off our gear 693 00:33:05,734 --> 00:33:08,671 I'm getting undressed and I'm trying to gauge, 694 00:33:08,695 --> 00:33:10,882 like, alright, like, 695 00:33:10,906 --> 00:33:12,550 how's this one gonna shake out because I 696 00:33:12,574 --> 00:33:14,618 overstressed the aircraft. 697 00:33:14,993 --> 00:33:17,454 So I was like, I don't know. 698 00:33:17,787 --> 00:33:20,749 - Then you kinda talk it out and you get there together. 699 00:33:21,541 --> 00:33:22,518 - As you progress, 700 00:33:22,542 --> 00:33:24,294 it's definitely a crawl, walk, run method, 701 00:33:24,961 --> 00:33:27,023 {\an8}as they call it, except sometimes it is just... 702 00:33:27,047 --> 00:33:29,549 {\an8}- There's no walk, there’s no crawling or walking. 703 00:33:30,175 --> 00:33:31,694 [Dylan] It's just straight to the run. 704 00:33:31,718 --> 00:33:32,945 [Spenser] They say crawl, walk. 705 00:33:32,969 --> 00:33:34,197 You're in the crawl phase. 706 00:33:34,221 --> 00:33:35,281 Really? 707 00:33:35,305 --> 00:33:36,699 [Dylan] Yeah. If this is the crawl, then. 708 00:33:36,723 --> 00:33:38,725 [Spenser] What's the run? 709 00:33:45,732 --> 00:33:48,985 {\an8}[♪ upbeat music playing] 710 00:33:52,697 --> 00:33:54,115 {\an8}[announcer] Good evening, everyone. 711 00:33:54,658 --> 00:33:56,701 Happy 4th of July! 712 00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:02,916 [Brad] These parties are awesome. 713 00:34:03,875 --> 00:34:07,688 I believe that a squadron who does this together fights 714 00:34:07,712 --> 00:34:11,007 well together because they know how to be a unit. 715 00:34:11,549 --> 00:34:13,736 There is unity, and this builds that. 716 00:34:13,760 --> 00:34:16,554 Students, when you show up to work every day, 717 00:34:17,097 --> 00:34:20,743 you need to get good so that when the war happens, 718 00:34:20,767 --> 00:34:23,603 we sleep soundly because you win. 719 00:34:24,020 --> 00:34:25,146 Alright? 720 00:34:25,522 --> 00:34:28,316 [cheering] 721 00:34:31,945 --> 00:34:33,756 {\an8}- This doesn't look very serious, but it is. 722 00:34:33,780 --> 00:34:34,906 {\an8}It's important. 723 00:34:35,949 --> 00:34:36,926 We worked hard all week. 724 00:34:36,950 --> 00:34:38,803 Students failed events, right? 725 00:34:38,827 --> 00:34:41,555 But then you come here, you let your hair down. 726 00:34:41,579 --> 00:34:43,373 I firmly believe in that, 727 00:34:43,748 --> 00:34:45,226 tale as old as time, work hard, play hard, 728 00:34:45,250 --> 00:34:46,394 I believe in that. 729 00:34:46,418 --> 00:34:47,478 But there's a reason for it, 730 00:34:47,502 --> 00:34:50,982 the reason that we play together hard is because 731 00:34:51,006 --> 00:34:53,967 then you're a unit when life is hard. 732 00:34:54,718 --> 00:34:57,363 And you know, if somebody starts shooting back, 733 00:34:57,387 --> 00:34:59,323 it's gonna be hard. 734 00:34:59,347 --> 00:35:00,950 Some of these guys won't come back. 735 00:35:00,974 --> 00:35:02,309 You gotta be tight. 736 00:35:10,692 --> 00:35:12,837 [Narrator] Tomorrow, students face their biggest 737 00:35:12,861 --> 00:35:15,756 challenge so far, a test known as 738 00:35:15,780 --> 00:35:17,383 "Safe For Solo." 739 00:35:17,407 --> 00:35:20,261 If they pass, they'll be cleared to fly the bombing run 740 00:35:20,285 --> 00:35:21,804 on their own, 741 00:35:21,828 --> 00:35:24,039 {\an8}without guidance from an instructor in the back seat. 742 00:35:25,123 --> 00:35:27,685 [Austin] I got told that I'm laissez-faire in details 743 00:35:27,709 --> 00:35:29,794 like this, I need to step it up. 744 00:35:30,503 --> 00:35:33,006 Base, is it still 29 on the comm card? 745 00:35:33,798 --> 00:35:36,027 [Spenser] Base, hangar 40 at 29. 746 00:35:36,051 --> 00:35:38,321 [Narrator] With so much riding on the next test, 747 00:35:38,345 --> 00:35:40,930 Austin and his classmates spend the night studying. 748 00:35:41,514 --> 00:35:42,617 - Tower frequency? 749 00:35:42,641 --> 00:35:45,393 - Tower, 3602 or 3402. 750 00:35:46,186 --> 00:35:47,413 [Austin] It's like doing a play. 751 00:35:47,437 --> 00:35:49,832 You know, we're learning lines for a play. 752 00:35:49,856 --> 00:35:51,500 {\an8}In that way, you have to have the script down before 753 00:35:51,524 --> 00:35:52,901 {\an8}you do the shoot. 754 00:35:53,234 --> 00:35:54,569 That's what this accomplishes. 755 00:35:56,279 --> 00:35:57,298 - On this one printer, 756 00:35:57,322 --> 00:35:58,883 lies the fate of the entire det (detachment) 757 00:35:58,907 --> 00:36:00,801 - Dude, if it ran out of ink? 758 00:36:00,825 --> 00:36:02,160 - Don't even say that 759 00:36:03,119 --> 00:36:04,388 - Where'd you want to do this? 760 00:36:04,412 --> 00:36:05,473 We could do it over here, I guess. 761 00:36:05,497 --> 00:36:06,748 Yeah. 762 00:36:07,165 --> 00:36:08,917 - We could do it in the courtyard. 763 00:36:10,543 --> 00:36:12,128 [Austin] Hammer 1-2 in heading 112. 764 00:36:13,171 --> 00:36:14,690 It's gonna happen so fast, 765 00:36:14,714 --> 00:36:16,466 there's no time for learning out there. 766 00:36:17,008 --> 00:36:18,778 Hammer 1-2 off safe. 767 00:36:18,802 --> 00:36:20,738 - Hammer 1-1 past 2.3. 768 00:36:20,762 --> 00:36:23,264 [Austin] Hammer 1-2 past 2.1. 769 00:36:24,974 --> 00:36:28,728 [♪ "Taps" playing] 770 00:36:39,489 --> 00:36:40,615 [Austin] As we were. 771 00:36:40,990 --> 00:36:42,951 Hammer 1-2, off safe. 772 00:36:43,410 --> 00:36:45,161 Off target, rendezvous, one in sight. 773 00:37:05,014 --> 00:37:07,034 - Hey, what's up? Good, how are you? 774 00:37:07,058 --> 00:37:08,786 - Nervous, for sure. - Why are you nervous? 775 00:37:08,810 --> 00:37:11,521 - This is the safe for solo. - You got this. 776 00:37:13,398 --> 00:37:14,542 [Narrator] On this final, 777 00:37:14,566 --> 00:37:17,068 Safe for Solo test the bar is high. 778 00:37:18,403 --> 00:37:21,865 [Spenser] Now, the instructor is not going to teach. 779 00:37:22,615 --> 00:37:24,617 They're just gonna be more a safety observer. 780 00:37:24,951 --> 00:37:26,911 Just to see if you, you're good to go by yourself. 781 00:37:27,620 --> 00:37:29,807 [Narrator] For both Spenser and Austin, 782 00:37:29,831 --> 00:37:32,435 their overstress in the previous flight means they’ll 783 00:37:32,459 --> 00:37:34,502 be under particularly close scrutiny. 784 00:37:36,546 --> 00:37:38,423 AUSTIN Hammer 1-4 set 785 00:37:40,633 --> 00:37:41,885 Airspeed 100 786 00:37:42,260 --> 00:37:43,237 150, flaps 787 00:37:43,261 --> 00:37:44,345 Gear up. 788 00:37:45,805 --> 00:37:48,125 [Justin] There will be students that don't make it through. 789 00:37:49,184 --> 00:37:51,495 That despite their best efforts and ours, 790 00:37:51,519 --> 00:37:54,105 they just do not make the grade. 791 00:38:01,613 --> 00:38:03,466 INSTRUCTOR A real nice position here 792 00:38:03,490 --> 00:38:05,092 INSTRUCTOR OK, this is a good distance right here. 793 00:38:05,116 --> 00:38:06,719 Bearing looks pretty good 794 00:38:06,743 --> 00:38:07,952 - Yes, sir 795 00:38:08,453 --> 00:38:09,847 INSTRUCTOR I think they were saying one of 796 00:38:09,871 --> 00:38:11,140 Neel’s problems is 797 00:38:11,164 --> 00:38:12,850 flying cruise 798 00:38:12,874 --> 00:38:14,560 INSTRUCTOR Yeah, he looks like he's doing pretty good 799 00:38:14,584 --> 00:38:15,668 INSTRUCTOR Yeah 800 00:38:16,002 --> 00:38:17,855 [Narrator] This is one of the most important flights 801 00:38:17,879 --> 00:38:20,006 of the student's careers so far. 802 00:38:20,340 --> 00:38:21,901 RANGE CONTROL All aircrafts in sight, you are clear 803 00:38:21,925 --> 00:38:22,985 INSTRUCTOR Alright 804 00:38:23,009 --> 00:38:24,069 INSTRUCTOR Let's do it 805 00:38:24,093 --> 00:38:25,178 - Yes, sir 806 00:38:27,263 --> 00:38:29,224 SPENSER Hammer 2-2, in heading 150 807 00:38:36,815 --> 00:38:37,875 RANGE CONTROL 3 Bullseye 808 00:38:37,899 --> 00:38:38,959 {\an8}INSTRUCTOR Sweet 809 00:38:38,983 --> 00:38:40,068 {\an8}- Woo! 810 00:38:41,986 --> 00:38:43,066 SPENSER Hammer 2-2, off safe 811 00:38:44,155 --> 00:38:45,132 INSTRUCTOR Good hit 812 00:38:45,156 --> 00:38:46,217 SPENSER Perfect 813 00:38:46,241 --> 00:38:47,325 INSTRUCTOR Yup, nice job 814 00:38:48,743 --> 00:38:50,263 INSTRUCTOR Alright, start working it in 815 00:38:50,870 --> 00:38:53,164 {\an8}AUSTIN Hammer 1-4, approaching 2.2 816 00:38:57,252 --> 00:38:59,379 AUSTIN Hammer 1-4, in heading 115 817 00:39:10,765 --> 00:39:12,205 INSTRUCTOR Brother, that’s a low drop 818 00:39:14,435 --> 00:39:16,271 INSTRUCTOR If we go low again, dude 819 00:39:17,522 --> 00:39:19,899 INSTRUCTOR We’re going home 820 00:39:26,656 --> 00:39:28,856 INSTRUCTOR What did you see on the HUD on that recovery? 821 00:39:29,158 --> 00:39:32,912 AUSTIN Sir, I've been pickling (dropping) at 3,100 each time. 822 00:39:33,413 --> 00:39:34,640 INSTRUCTOR I’m watching the HUD, 823 00:39:34,664 --> 00:39:36,124 we pickled at 2.6 on that one. 824 00:39:37,250 --> 00:39:38,293 AUSTIN Sorry, sir 825 00:39:38,626 --> 00:39:39,979 [Narrator] During the bombing run, 826 00:39:40,003 --> 00:39:42,714 Austin must stay above 3,000 feet. 827 00:39:43,423 --> 00:39:47,194 In combat he’ll be dropping much larger bombs and below 828 00:39:47,218 --> 00:39:49,738 that altitude there’s a danger shrapnel from the 829 00:39:49,762 --> 00:39:51,556 blast could hit the jet. 830 00:39:52,348 --> 00:39:54,268 INSTRUCTOR Alright, let’s take that one more time 831 00:39:54,642 --> 00:39:55,643 AUSTIN Yes, sir 832 00:39:56,311 --> 00:39:57,871 AUSTIN Hammer 1-4, breaking high pattern 833 00:40:10,033 --> 00:40:12,076 AUSTIN Hammer 1-4, in heading 115 834 00:40:15,246 --> 00:40:16,247 INSTRUCTOR Slow it down 835 00:40:33,431 --> 00:40:34,432 RANGE CONTROL 17 feet 836 00:40:34,724 --> 00:40:35,725 RANGE CONTROL Bullseye 837 00:40:37,435 --> 00:40:38,603 AUSTIN Wooooo! 838 00:40:41,356 --> 00:40:42,357 INSTRUCTOR Low drop 839 00:40:44,817 --> 00:40:45,818 INSTRUCTOR Abort 840 00:40:46,986 --> 00:40:48,714 AUSTIN Roger that, sir 841 00:40:48,738 --> 00:40:49,948 INSTRUCTOR We're going home 842 00:40:50,782 --> 00:40:52,450 AUSTIN Yes, sir 843 00:41:02,418 --> 00:41:04,545 [Austin] Dropping low bombs is dangerous, 844 00:41:06,881 --> 00:41:09,217 so I'm riding a thin wire. 845 00:41:21,354 --> 00:41:22,897 [Susan] Hey, how was it? 846 00:41:23,231 --> 00:41:25,271 You don't look as excited as I thought you would've. 847 00:41:25,358 --> 00:41:30,089 - Well I dropped at 2,900 and he was already saying 848 00:41:30,113 --> 00:41:32,466 that my passes were like low on altitude, 849 00:41:32,490 --> 00:41:33,550 and he's like, 850 00:41:33,574 --> 00:41:34,969 you do that again like we're out of here. 851 00:41:34,993 --> 00:41:37,054 So I, I don't know what's gonna happen. 852 00:41:37,078 --> 00:41:38,621 - Good luck. - Thanks. 853 00:41:39,288 --> 00:41:42,500 [Susan] No problem. This is a pretty critical event. 854 00:41:43,835 --> 00:41:44,937 {\an8}If they don't pass this, 855 00:41:44,961 --> 00:41:47,130 {\an8}most of the time, they don't, they don't get out. 856 00:41:47,839 --> 00:41:49,424 {\an8}Like, they don't get out to the fleet. 857 00:41:51,384 --> 00:41:53,737 [Narrator] Students have a nervous wait to find out 858 00:41:53,761 --> 00:41:55,555 if they're cleared Safe For Solo. 859 00:41:56,889 --> 00:41:59,201 - Overall, I thought it was pretty nice. 860 00:41:59,225 --> 00:42:00,285 The bombing pattern was good. 861 00:42:00,309 --> 00:42:01,578 Your comms were good. 862 00:42:01,602 --> 00:42:03,521 I'm, I’m really happy with it. 863 00:42:04,022 --> 00:42:06,107 So you’re safe for solo. 864 00:42:06,733 --> 00:42:07,793 Congrats. 865 00:42:07,817 --> 00:42:09,736 - Happy flying with you. - Yeah, have fun. 866 00:42:10,153 --> 00:42:12,047 {\an8}- I didn't know if I was going to pass or not, 867 00:42:12,071 --> 00:42:13,799 {\an8}but that's how it is every time. 868 00:42:13,823 --> 00:42:15,050 {\an8}You never know, you know. 869 00:42:15,074 --> 00:42:16,677 {\an8}- Hey dude, proud of ya. - Thanks. 870 00:42:16,701 --> 00:42:18,536 - Nice job. 871 00:42:27,628 --> 00:42:29,189 I think it's like stressing you out to try to 872 00:42:29,213 --> 00:42:31,883 see everything and still fly. 873 00:42:33,426 --> 00:42:35,386 That's just uh, that's just how it goes sometimes. 874 00:42:36,179 --> 00:42:40,701 But we can't have multiple drops where we're 875 00:42:40,725 --> 00:42:42,393 dropping low, alright. 876 00:42:42,894 --> 00:42:44,734 There's a lot of good things about this flight, 877 00:42:45,646 --> 00:42:48,149 but we have to trim that up for this to be a safe for solo. 878 00:42:48,941 --> 00:42:50,169 - So... 879 00:42:50,193 --> 00:42:51,694 It will be an unsat (fail) 880 00:42:57,116 --> 00:42:59,202 - You've got to pass the bar on every single flight, 881 00:42:59,702 --> 00:43:02,056 or else I have to have a very difficult conversation with 882 00:43:02,080 --> 00:43:04,933 that student because I can't send them on to the next flight, 883 00:43:04,957 --> 00:43:06,018 to the next stage, 884 00:43:06,042 --> 00:43:10,272 to the next squadron until they're above that minimum bar. 885 00:43:10,296 --> 00:43:12,107 They have to be. 886 00:43:12,131 --> 00:43:13,317 I owe it to their moms and dads. 887 00:43:13,341 --> 00:43:15,611 If they're going to hurt themselves out there, 888 00:43:15,635 --> 00:43:17,178 I gotta protect them. 889 00:43:21,599 --> 00:43:23,160 - No one wants to fail a flight, 890 00:43:23,184 --> 00:43:26,604 but uh it's sometimes the best way to learn. 891 00:43:30,650 --> 00:43:33,778 [Narrator] Austin's failure means he must re-sit the test. 892 00:43:36,739 --> 00:43:38,258 [Austin] Hey, good luck out there. 893 00:43:38,282 --> 00:43:41,678 [Narrator] For now, he can only watch as his classmates 894 00:43:41,702 --> 00:43:43,955 fly their first solo bombing mission. 895 00:43:47,250 --> 00:43:51,337 [Austin] My lifelong dream is to be a proficient pilot and 896 00:43:51,879 --> 00:43:56,551 uh, if I don't stay on my game, I deservingly, 897 00:43:57,135 --> 00:43:58,636 will not get my wings. 898 00:44:04,934 --> 00:44:06,435 {\an8}[Marcus] You know you watch movies, 899 00:44:07,520 --> 00:44:09,856 and you think it's all Tom Cruise and Top Gun. 900 00:44:11,482 --> 00:44:15,129 Reality is that you're a 25 year old kid just 901 00:44:15,153 --> 00:44:16,755 trying to find your way. 902 00:44:16,779 --> 00:44:18,573 - So when’s your next flight? - Monday. 903 00:44:19,365 --> 00:44:20,485 - Do you think you’re ready? 904 00:44:22,076 --> 00:44:23,053 ‘HOT CAKES’ Fox 2 905 00:44:23,077 --> 00:44:25,389 ‘MAGMA’ It’s not working, we’re just getting shot, shot, shot 906 00:44:25,413 --> 00:44:26,414 ANDREW Dang it 907 00:44:27,957 --> 00:44:29,977 - I think they think I'm a hippie, 908 00:44:30,001 --> 00:44:32,020 so when I was like, "I'm gonna join the Marine Corps." 909 00:44:32,044 --> 00:44:33,129 STEPH That was so cool 910 00:44:33,296 --> 00:44:35,089 - Everyone was like, "What?" 911 00:44:36,549 --> 00:44:39,361 - Probably won’t fly this plane for a long time and 912 00:44:39,385 --> 00:44:40,761 possibly ever again. 913 00:44:41,262 --> 00:44:43,657 - You’re just looking to get to the bottom of the situation 914 00:44:43,681 --> 00:44:45,576 because it’s a dangerous business. 915 00:44:45,600 --> 00:44:48,453 [Andrew] Most people would strongly dissuade trying 916 00:44:48,477 --> 00:44:49,979 to have a kid in flight school. 917 00:44:50,813 --> 00:44:53,065 - So unique upbringing, uh being adopted. 918 00:44:53,691 --> 00:44:54,877 {\an8}- Take the shot if you have it 919 00:44:54,901 --> 00:44:56,336 - I felt like I was chosen. 920 00:44:56,360 --> 00:44:57,504 [Micah vomiting] 921 00:44:57,528 --> 00:44:59,030 - Did you have air sickness? 922 00:44:59,572 --> 00:45:01,772 [Justin] For Carissa, it’s that make or break situation. 923 00:45:02,074 --> 00:45:04,052 {\an8}[Carissa] Working harder than I’ve ever worked in my life and 924 00:45:04,076 --> 00:45:06,537 {\an8}it not being enough is like so painful. 925 00:45:07,413 --> 00:45:10,750 {\an8}- I’ve been having like stress dreams, cockpit related. 926 00:45:11,876 --> 00:45:14,521 {\an8}[Justin] He basically forgot the most important thing about 927 00:45:14,545 --> 00:45:16,214 {\an8}being a pilot, which is flying the plane. 928 00:45:19,967 --> 00:45:21,361 {\an8}- I am just really proud of you. 929 00:45:21,385 --> 00:45:23,179 {\an8}- I want to be a good dogfighter. 930 00:45:24,555 --> 00:45:26,265 {\an8}-Now you're just showing off. 931 00:45:27,058 --> 00:45:28,898 {\an8}- Congratulations, you have earned these wings.