Local hockey coach flew in F-18 jet with Navy Blue Angels

TOWN OF MAINE, NY ( WIVT/WBGH ) – This weekend’s air show will feature exciting acts from all across the country, including the U. S. Navy Blue Angels, and some local people were invited to fly inside the iconic F-18 Jet.

Throughout the day today, multiple people got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride in the cockpit of a jet, flown by a pilot in the Blue Angels.

One of those people is Michael Neal, who is a local Army Recruiter and the current Hockey Coach at Maine-Endwell High School.

He says this was a bucket list opportunity that he needed to check off.

After a safety briefing, Neal got dressed in his jump suit and got situated in the rear seat of two passenger jet.

Neal says he’s applying to flight school to learn how to pilot helicopters and says nothing will compare to this experience.

“Most of it wasn’t scary. The coolest parts, and it’s something that we did an extra two times than the normal ride. We did a seven and a half G pull, with a turn at the top. He said I was one of two people to ask to do it again, and I was the first one to ask to do it three times. So, that was definitely my favorite part. I really enjoyed how it felt pushing my body to the limit,” says Neal.

Neal hopes to start flight school in September, to learn how to pilot helicopters, and says nothing will compare to this experience.

Neal’s family was at the airport to watch him takeoff and touch back down.

After he landed, Neal was presented with a signed photo of the Blue Angels flying over Alcatraz Island in San Francisco.

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