[AX-O]

High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings,
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

The poem High Flight was written by a young fighter pilot during World War II. Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr., was an American citizen who was born of missionary parents in Shanghai and educated in Britain's famed Rugby School. He went to the United Stated in 1939, and at the age of 18, won a scholarship to Yale. Like other Americans of the time who wished to aid in the cause of freedom, he decided to enlist in the services of a nation actively engaged in war. Magee enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1940. He served overseas with an RCAF Spitfire Squadron until his death on active service in December, 1941.

His poem, composed in September 1941, was scribbled on the back of a letter which he mailed to his mother in Washington. Pilot Officer Magee was killed a few months later when his Spitfire plane collided with a bomber-pilot trainer on approach to the airport over Lincolnshire, England. He was 19 years old.

 

[Rick6a]

High Flight......

"High Flight" is easily the most passionate and profound aviation poem of all time, for sure. Simply brilliant. As pilots, we all know exactly how Magee felt, yet no one before or since his time has put the feeling to words with as much inspired eloquence.

I have always considered the following poem to rate among the very best at defining the sublime essence of what the flyer instinctively feels deep inside:

For once you have tasted flight
you will walk the earth
with your eyes turned skywards,
for there you have been
and there you long to return.
​

Leonardo da Vinci​

 

[parashak]

Prefer the original before FAA got ahold of it.

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 silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space(15),
Put out my hand(16), and touched the face of God.

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION SUPPLEMENT

(1) Flight crews must ensure 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 (except for rotorcraft).
(10) Forcasts of shouting winds are available from the local FSS. Encounters with unexpected shouting winds shall be reported by PIREP.
(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.

Aviation poetry

 

[Bryan Wood]

FAA's version

Paul, that's priceless. You win!