CBK Hayling Island

A Fighter Pilot's Guide to Kitesurfing

There are old fighter pilots and crazy fighter pilots but never old crazy fighter pilots. This seems to directly translate to kitesurfing. I am an instructor pilot in the F-15E fighter jet and a graduate of the Air Force Flight Safety School (similar to the NTSB aircraft crash investigation school). I wanted to discuss some of the corollaries between kiting and flying to 1) Give you an idea of how we execute an inherently dangerous job of flying fighter jets and 2) How you can apply this to kitesurfing safely and confidently.
1. Know Your Jet- Fighter pilots are required to know the ins and outs of every aspect of their aircraft-their life depends on it! This includes the intricacies of the mechanical and emergency systems but most importantly the flight limitations of the aircraft itself Wingsurf School.
The difference in kites, bars, quick releases and harnesses is similar to the differences in different fighter jets. Read the owner's manual, visit the manufacturer's site, familiarize yourself with your gear and most importantly, HOW the safety features were built to function with your gear.
2. Emergency Training- Engine fires, ejections, spins, electrical failure are just a few situations we train to countless times in simulators before we even start the jet. The more you train to bad situations, the more your mind is able to store the appropriate actions in your subconscious; this is where 'muscle memory' pays the bills!
I have read many kitemare stories where the mishap kiter had his hands frozen to the control bar with the kite fully powered. Simulate bad situations such as getting drug through the water, lofted into the air, etc. and practice the exact hand movements and actions needed to save your pink butt!
3. "Chairflying"- I have logged 1500 hours in military jets but probably have logged twice that "chairflying", which is literally sitting in a chair visualizing myself going through the entire flight; movements, actions, etc. Flying at over 1000 mph is not the place to be going over something for the first time.
I am sure that most kiteboarders visualize their tricks, jumps, transitions on the beach beforehand, but it's important to mention how much this helps with any action sport.
4. Risk Assessment- Consider having a glass jar full of change. Bad weather, inexperience, complex missions--take money out of the jar for each of these factors. The less change you have in the jar, the higher the risk. No change left in the jar? This is where the reward must outweigh the risk or it's a no-go.
Bad weather/tides, offshore winds, obstacles/rocks, experience level, practicing new jumps/tricks- these are all things to consider the risk level when you kite. A smart kiter mitigates these risks such as wearing a helmet/impact vest, kiting with a buddy, safety boats in the area etc.
5. Contingencies- If something can go wrong, it probably will. Chances are Darwin will rear his ugly head. Taking a bird down the #1 engine intake while flying at 600mph at 500 feet was never part of my plan, however briefing that 'hip-pocket' emergency airfield sure did save my bacon.
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