John Klatt’s office is a tiny cockpit, usually about 1,000 feet in the sky.
Often upside down.
Frequently spinning like a top.
“It’s a dream come true,” Klatt, 43, said.
He’s a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard and is one of the derring-do stunt pilots who will delight audiences this weekend in the annual Seafair Boeing Air Show.
Klatt first flew a crop-dusting plane at age 17 and later joined the Air Guard. That’s where he piloted C-130 cargo planes and later the F-16 “Fighting Falcon.”
These days, he spends most of his time in his Staudacher S-300D, a single seater built for the high performance demands of loops, slides, spins and other death-defying aerial patterns.
Klatt was kind enough to take me for a short joy ride Tuesday in his two-seater stunt plane. He wanted to give me an idea of what it’s like for him during the airshow.
The little plane is capable of pulling about 20 G’s. All I can say is, “gee whiz.”
I was lucky not to lose my lunch.
The views of Seattle and Puget Sound were amazing. The little plane is responsive and quick. I liked it better when the plane was right-side-up.
For about a minute, Klatt worked through some of his tricks. We flew a big loop, rolled the ailerons and turned the world on our heads.
During the airshow, Klatt is to spend nearly 10 minutes doing almost two dozen tricks. He’ll fly as low as 10 feet off the ground and soar to 3,500 feet.
I’m sure it’ll be a blast to watch. I’m just glad to have two feet planted solidly on the ground.
Klatt said he never tires of his job.
“I consider myself lucky,” he said.
He’s been to Seafair several times and loves the show, rubbing elbows and sharing airspace with the Blue Angels.
“It’s a picturesque place to fly,” he said.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3447; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
Boeing Air Show
Watch the air show at 1 p.m. today through Sunday above south Lake Washington. Lt. Col. John Klatt flies a small red-white-and-blue stunt plane. Look for him at about 2:30 p.m. today, 4:10 p.m. Saturday and 3:20 p.m. Friday.
Be sure to check out the Air National Guard’s tent, complete with a flight simulator, on the shores of Lake Washington.
For more information, go to www.seafair.com or www.goang.com.
Seafair
It began with the Milk Carton Derby and Torchlight Parade in July, and this weekend, the 2010 version of Seafair continues with the much-loved hydroplane races and air shows featuring the Blue Angels and Air National Guard.
The events run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday on south Lake Washington. Today’s admission is free. Saturday and Sunday cost $25 per person, per day, in advance; $30 at the gate. Enter at Genesee Park at Lake Washington.
This weekend also is part of Fleet Week, during which the Seattle waterfront’s Pier 25 hosts U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Canadian Navy vessels. Go on free ship tours from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and from noon to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
Get hydro race and air show tickets through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or at www.ticketmaster.com. More event details are at 206-728-0123 and www.seafair.com.
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