The guy was twenty-four, educated, and had a promising future at the Top Gun academy. He’d been through enough training that he knew what he was doing. But this would be his first solo flight, and Shane couldn’t leave anything to chance. Shane held a checklist in his hands. “Bail-out procedure.” “Bail out.” The young man’s words were clear and clipped. He stood at attention throughout the short examination, his flight suit perfect, his helmet tucked beneath his arm. Then, as Shane took notes, the guy rattled off a perfect description of the circumstances and situations when a bail out was necessary, and followed it up with a detailed account of the procedure. “Good.” Shane placed a check next to the words bail out on the form. They went through three more terms, and then Shane looked at the pilot. “You ready?” “Sir, yes, sir.” “Okay, call sign Doogie.” Shane grinned. “Let’s see you fly.” He shook the pilot’s hand, spun around, and headed for the tower.
