In His Own Words: The Ride Of A Lifetime With The Blue Angels
November 2, 2012
This morning, NorthEscambia.com takes you along for a flight with the Blue Angels with Escambia County School Board member Jeff Bergosh, in his own words:
The interesting aspects of the experience were numerous, but the standout in my mind is just the professionalism of the entire team, from the support staff, to the briefing personnel, to the PAO, to the ground crew, to the pilots.
For our rides, the #7 pilot, who also doubles as the team’s narrator, was tapped for the job. Lt. Mark Tedrow, a 2004 Naval Academy graduate, was extremely gracious and accommodating. In addition to his gregarious demeanor, this pilot was physically impressive.
He was easily 6’3”, and when I shook his hand before and after the flight, I felt like I was shaking hands with a bronze statue—this guy was a rock—kind of what one would expect as a Naval aviator from the movies. I also learned that none of the pilots wear “G Suits” during their flights—they have to control the G-forces’ effects on their bodies via a muscle flexing and breathing regimen called the HICK maneuver.
As we taxied down the runway we talked a bit, and he told me he was a football player, wide receiver. “On a team that didn’t like to pass the ball,” he quipped. An interesting thing I learned from Lt. Tedrow was that as a part of the rotation process coming on to the Blue Angels, many of the pilots spend their first year serving as narrator, before they rotate up to the actual demonstration team.
While serving as narrator, these pilots still train and fly, and these are the pilots tapped for giving VIP rides. Another thing I learned was just how lucky I was to get a ride; the ground-crew member who assisted with buckling me into the 14 point restraint system in the cockpit told me it took him eight years to earn his first backseat ride — eight years serving with the Blue Angels before he got a ride! That puts it into perspective for me — I was SO LUCKY to get this chance!
BLAST OFF
My ride lasted 30 minutes, and started with a bang as Lt. Tedrow began our flight by executing a high-speed, high performance takeoff that pulled six G’s of force. After we flew down the runway at 300 Knots, Lt. Tedrow put the nose of the jet straight up, vertical, and hit the afterburners. The jolt of the sudden change in direction pushed my whole body forward as we quickly ascended into the sky.
Once we hit our cruising altitude of 16,000 feet, we flew about 30 miles off the coast, descended toward the ocean, and performed a series of low and high speed maneuvers that resulted in various levels of G-forces on our bodies — from three to five G’s sustained — during some of the turns. The highlight for me, aside from the ridiculously insane takeoff, was when Lt. Tedrow lit the afterburners and we broke the sound barrier and went supersonic. I have never felt anything like that in my life; it was incredible!
And how many civilians will ever get the chance to break the sound barrier? Flying upside down was also an amazing sensation — and the views out of the canopy when one is flying upside down simply defy description. Awesome.
Aside from the majestic beauty of the day which allowed for views of over 20 miles up and down the coast, the final highlight was coming in to NAS Pensacola for a landing amidst the beauty of our local beaches and emerald water. After the flight, the Blue Angels presented me a signed commemorative photograph, as well as the complete cockpit video of the entire flight (Something my wife and kids now affectionately refer to, as their “endless source of entertainment” due to my facial expressions up there during the flight.) And to answer the one lingering question everyone has asked — NO, I did not black out during the flight — even while pulling G’s. I did grunt and strain but never blacked out!
The 30 or so minutes I spent up there that morning are 30 minutes I will remember as long as I live. I still can’t quite believe I was so fortunate to be selected for this honor, so much so that a part of me is still up there in the sky — on cloud nine!
Pictured top: Escambia County School Board member Jeff Bergosh flies with the Blue Angels. Pictured insets: Bergosh with the Blue Angels. Pictured below: Bergosh’s autographed ride photos. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Hosting Mini Dance Team Clinic Saturday
November 2, 2012
The Northview High School Dance Team will hold a “Mini Dance Team Clinic” for girls ages 5-12.
Practices will begin Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until noon in the school gym. Registration forms were sent home from area schools and select private dance classes. Or, click here to download and print a registration form.
The Mini Dance Team will perform before the November 9 Northview home game versus West Florida High School.
Pictured: The Northview Dance Team performs at a recent football game. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Hundreds Attend Molino Fall Festival
November 1, 2012
Hundreds of people attended a community-wide Fall Festival in Molino Wednesday night. Sponsored by four area churches, the interdenominational event provided a safe Christian alternative on Halloween night.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
The event was sponsored by Victory Assembly of God, Highland Baptist Church, CrossFaith Church and Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
The event featured a variety of games, bounce house, a hayride and lots of free food.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Recognizes Longtime Employees
November 1, 2012
The Town of Century has recognized 13 employees for a combined 265 years of service.
Pictured are: (front, L-R) Steve Ross, 22 years; Comer Wilson, 16 years; Mayor Freddie McCall; Eddie Hammond, 30 years; W.L. Tyree, 22 years; Larry Murphy, 30 years; (back, L-R) Kristina Wood, 11 years; Carl Godwin, 22 years; Robert Powell, 15 years; Sedrick Lowery, 10 years; Robert Tims, 24 years; Donnie Waters, 21 years. Not pictured: Louise Harwell, 20 years, and Joe Brown, 22 years. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Hundreds Attend Flomaton Fall Festival
October 31, 2012
Hundreds of people from Flomaton, Century and across the area attended the annual Fall Festival in Flomaton Tuesday evening.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from the Flomaton Fall Festival Tuesday night in Flomaton, Alabama. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Showband Of the South Earns Best In Class, Superior Ratings
October 30, 2012
The Tate High School “Showband of the South” competed in the Deep South Marching Festival last weekend in Theodore, Ala. The band competed against nine other bands and received superior ratings in all areas, including auxiliary, drum major, presentation, percussion and band. The Showband was also awarded Best in Class for Class 4A.
The Showband of the South will close out their 2012 season Friday night during Tate’s home football game against Washington High at 7:30. Seniors will be honored as the band presents their last performance of their 2012 show “Styx and Stones”.
Pictured: The Tate High School Showband of the South. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FFA Fair Booth Winners Named
October 30, 2012
FFA booth winners from this year’s Pensacola Interstate Fair have been named. Winners were:
- West Florida High
- Northview High
- Tate High
- Ernest Ward Middle
- W.S. Neal
- Beulah Elementary
- Woodlawn
Pictured: The Northview High School FFA booth at the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fill Your Neighbor’s Plate: Molino Park Student Take Part In Food Drive
October 29, 2012
Molino Park Elementary School is participating in the “Fill Your Neighbor’s Plate” food drive along with the Escambia County School District to benefit Manna Food Pantries. The program encourages each student and their family to donate one can of fruit, one canned vegetable and one canned meat — enough for two meals — to fill a neighbor’s plate.
Donations can be made at Molino Park Elementary School through November 16.
Pictured: Food items collected last week by Molino Park Elementary School on the very first day of the “Fill Your Neighbor’s Plate” food drive to benefit Manna Food Pantries. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
The Power Of Pink: Thousands Take Part In Breast Cancer Walk
October 28, 2012
Over 14,o00 people took part in the 10th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk Saturday morning in Pensacola.
For Team Sandra, it was a chance for friends and loved ones of Sandra Morris of McDavid to honor her and help raise money for the American Cancer Society. Morris was just diagnosed with cancer on October 4. She has already underwent surgery and will begin chemo soon.
There were hundreds of survivors like Sandra honored during the walk that raised an estimated $470,000 for breast cancer research.
Pictured top: Team Sandra, named for Sandra Morris of McDavid, took part in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk Saturday morning in Pensacola. Pictured below: A portion of the 14,000 people that participated. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Hundreds Attend Williams Station Day
October 28, 2012
Despite cool winds and dreary skies, hundreds of people attended the annual Williams Station Day on Saturday in Atmore.
Williams Station Day takes its name from Atmore’s early history when in 1866 the community was a supply stop along the Mobile and Great Northern railroad.
Festival-goers were entertained by a wide variety of musical acts, and a wide variety of arts and crafts were also available.
Click here for a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery.
Pictured: Williams Station Day Saturday in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
