High Flight
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth(1),
And danced(2) the skies on laughter silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed(3) and joined the tumbling mirth(4)
Of sun-split clouds(5) and done a hundred things(6)
You have not dreamed of --
Wheeled and soared and swung(7)
High in the sunlit silence(8).
Hov'ring there(9)
I've chased the shouting wind(10) along and flung(11)
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious(12), burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights(13) with easy grace,
Where never lark, or even eagle(14) flew;
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space(15),
Put out my hand(16), and touched the face of God.
(from John Gillespie Magee Jr., "High Flight")
FAA SUPPLEMENT to "High Flight"
1. Flight crews must insure that all surly bonds have been slipped entirely
before aircraft taxi or flight is attempted.
2. During periods of severe sky dancing, the FASTEN SEATBELT sign must
remain constantly illuminated.
3. Sunward climbs must not exceed the maximum permitted aircraft ceiling.
4. Passenger aircraft are prohibited from joining the tumbling mirth.
5. Pilots flying through sun-split clouds must comply with all applicable
visual and instrument flight rules.
6. Do not perform these hundred things in front of Federal Aviation
Administration inspectors.
7. Wheeling, soaring, and swinging will not be accomplished simultaneously
except by pilots in the flight simulator or in their own aircraft on
their own time.
8. Be advised that sunlit silence will occur only when a major engine
malfunction has occurred.
9. "Hov'ring there" will constitute a highly reliable signal that a flight
emergency is imminent.
10. Forecasts of shouting winds are available from the local FSS. Encounters
with unexpected shouting winds should be reported by pilots.
11. Be forewarned that pilot craft-flinging is a leading cause of passenger
airsickness.
12. Should any crewmember or passenger experience delirium while in the
burning blue, submit an irregularity report upon flight termination.
13. Windswept heights will be topped by a minimum of 1,000 feet to prevent
massive airsickness-bag use.
14. Aircraft engine ingestion of, or impact with, larks or eagles should be
reported to the FAA and the appropriate aircraft maintenance facility.
15. Air Traffic Control (ATC) must issue all special clearances for treading
the high untresspassed sanctity of space.
16. FAA regulations state that no one may sacrifice aircraft cabin pressure to
open aircraft windows or doors while in flight.
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