BREAKING THROUGH THE SOUND BARRIER
The flight that change the way I look at life
When young adults were just starting to legally drink in the U.S., I was flying fighter jets in the Swiss Air Force and breaking through the sound barrier. At 21, I flew a mission that would change my entire view on life, the perception of reality and on the decision process. In particular, the feeling we have before, during, and after we make an important decision.
This mission was to break the sound barrier, flying Mach 1 in a single seat cockpit. Passing Mach 1, while sitting in the cockpit as a pilot, is a completely unreal experience that most cannot understand, unless you are doing it.
What is so different you may ask? Everything. 30 years later, I can see this flight as a reflection of the perception of reality and a perfect metaphor for how difficult is to make big decisions in challenging times.
The supersonic flight
Reaching supersonic speed over the Alps within the border of Switzerland is almost impossible. My flight path had to be super precise starting and ending from the farthest point East (Davos) to the farthest point West of the country (Geneva).
The Tiger F-5 just had enough fuel to make one perfect flight path with no reserves. Every parameter, speed, turn radius, altitude, heading and fuel had to be on the dot. When I reached Davos, at 36,000 feet, very carefully, I completed the final turn toward Geneva for my supersonic run Very carefully, I did the turn avoiding any loss of speed and energy.
The air is so thin at this altitude ,that any sudden maneuver results in losing a great amount of speed or altitude. I was flying with two fingers on my stick to make the smoothest turn as possible. When I was on course, I was ready. I kicked the afterburner in passing Mach 0.94.
The Mach meter needle slowly moved through Mach 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98... the closer I was to Mach 1.0 the more resistance. Then at Mach 0.99, the needle got stuck and was vibrating a little bit.
The feeling on the flight control was like surfing a wave. Something was happening. I looked outside to see if I can see the shock-wave along my cockpit. A pilot had told me that sometimes, depending the temperature and humidity, you can see a rainbow light, a line shining all around the cockpit. I didn’t see it.
Then the Mach needle past the Mach 1.0 marker. No bang, no noise, quiet like Sunday morning in a church. Here I was, supersonic. After passing this huge resistance at Mach 1.0, my aircraft was accelerating. I continued to Mach 1.1, Mach 1.15 to Mach 1.2. I was looking at my fuel gauge and just when I hit Mach 1.2 I had to take the afterburner off. I reached the minimum fuel.
It was fast. It was intense. It was the fastest I have ever moved in my entire life…
The BANG (inner-world vs outer-world)
In the cockpit, passing Mach 1.0, we don’t hear any BANG like you hear on the ground. We don’t feel any shaking like you can sometimes feel under your feet. What happens in the pilot’s world is totally different than what you may experience from the outside, or on the ground.
We are both in the same space and time but we experience two different realities. This flight represents the subtle change within that might not be notice- able to you but are noticeable by the outside world in a big BANG manner. This flight represents how we look at, perceive and experience reality.
It is different for everybody. Next time you feel the urge to judge, comment or question others, make sure to be aware of what is going on within you, what is your reference point is and what is theirs.
The highest point of resistance
Breaking the sound barrier is the best metaphor I know how to use when I have to make tough decisions in challenging times. When we fly transonic, just before supersonic, the resistance increases exponentially.
We need a lot of power to just break the sound barrier. When we pass it, the resistance drops and everything gets smoother. We can reduce the energy needed to keep cruising or accelerating. The closer we get to making an important decision in life, the greater the resistance.
Right? But when the decision is made, you feel relieved. Choosing to do or not do something allows us to get some energy back, so we can focus on moving forward.
Final words - Breaking Through The Sound Barrier
When you are about to make a difficult decision, you may want to remember these two lessons: 1. Perception of reality is very relative and personal. Respect that fact. Your extraordinary BANG might not be theirs. 2. Understand, that the longer you procrastinate before a decision, the greater the resistance and the more energy you will need to move forward.
Be assertive and decisive. When your life is at Mach 0.99, push the throttle forward and break your personal sound barrier. There will be much less resistance on the other side. Happy landings.
P.S. Hey guys, Hubert here!
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