John McGuinness flies high - literally!

John McGuinness
By Phil Wain
December 13 2005

John McGuinness is used to flying on the race circuit, but flying high in the sky at over 600mph was a whole new experience for the TT ace.

As part of a deal struck up last year, the Morecambe man recently took to the skies at RAF Leeming, near Scots Corner, in one of their Hawk jets - and the whole thrill of it all left the HM Plant Honda rider lost for words.

It was at the 2004 TT when the seeds were sewn after a chance conversation with RAF pilot Al Waring, a member of the 100 Squadron. A big bike fan, Al got talking to John up at the paddock and, upon hearing what his day job was, John cheekily asked, “Any chance of a go in one of your planes?” Not expecting anything to happen, John left it at that, but Al put the wheels in motion and it took over a year to arrange as, let’s face it, it’s not everyday that civilians get to go up in an £8-million jet plane!

If you look closely at pictures of John at this year’s TT, you’ll see an RAF sticker on the belly pan of the R1 Yamaha, which he ran on his bike to celebrate 60 years of the RAF. Al kept in touch with John and the flight recently took place. John, partner Becky and son Ewan went to the air base for the day, and it’s an experience that the 8-times TT winner, and outright lap record holder, won’t forget.

“To be honest, it’s really hard to put into words but it was one hell of an experience! I arrived at the base in the morning and had a full medical where things like blood pressure were checked and they really looked after the whole family. I was measured for the helmet and g-suit, which had to fit perfectly, and it was incredibly interesting, learning all about the canopy, ejector seat and the like. I’ve flown a bit with Jim Moodie so know a bit about all the instruments but they practically gave us a guided tour of the entire plane as well as being shown around Tornado’s and Chinook helicopters.”

“The weather wasn’t the greatest but we got up to 34,000 feet over the North Sea and were almost flying at the speed of sound. Another jet had flown up from Wales on a training exercise so we were flying close together and had a mock dogfight and all sorts – absolutely mega! The Hawk, used by the Red Arrows is very manoeuvrable and nimble and they even let me have a bit of a go at the controls. We dropped down to about 20,000 feet but things happen that quick and the G-force is unbelievable so when the pilot pulled back on the lever a bit quick I had a bit of a black out – we were up there for almost an hour and, I have to admit, I did reach for the sick bag on one occasion!”

“We were able to do 180 degree rolls and all sorts so it really was a once in a lifetime experience. The pilot let me land the plane on one occasion as well but I don’t think that’s strictly legal so I better not say too much about that! It’s serious business up there so I can’t thank everyone enough for the way they looked after me and the whole family – the entire day is something I’ll never forget.”