While on an away rotation at the University of Kentucky during my fourth year of medical school, I made the drive back to Dayton, OH, to attend the Dayton Airshow. Being the area where the Wright Brothers setup shop to develop the first airplane, Dayton has a rich history of aviation. We had barely walked into the event space when we heard the characteristic sound of huey rotors. A sign directed to an area where, for a not insignificant fee, people could go for a ride in the Vietnam War icon. Needless to say, we took advantage of the opportunity. Having seen the Huey in countless shows and movies about the Vietnam War, walking toward one knowing I was about to fly in it was mentally overwhelming. I simply couldn’t wrap my mind around the significance of the craft in front of me.
Then we climbed on board and before we knew it, the agile craft hopped off the ground and flew low out over the runway on which it had been idling. We quickly rose away from the tarmac and soon were looking down on the houses of an adjacent neighborhood.
The Huey’s two rotors sent rushes of air past the open side doors; the pressure waves we felt were evidence of the helicopter’s true power. After a few sharp banking turns we headed back to our starting point for a smooth touchdown. The experience was truly incredible and was worth every penny. Check out the film above to see for yourself!
As if the day couldn’t get any better, after unstrapping ourselves from the seats of the Huey, we continued to tour around planes parked around the main event space, intermittently watching planes fly overhead. In the air that day were P51s, a Harrier, aerobatics planes, and The Thunderbirds, just to name a few. There’s something about watching those types of aircraft fly. Appreciating the amount of engineering, time, and money that goes into developing the aircraft, and combining that with the esteem they garner over years of service to our country’s military, I find them awe inspiring.
