Unmanned Grumman F6F-5K Hellcat takeoff - GIF

[Frank S]

He should of either started off with something much smaller – like an RC model – or they should've relocated that experiment to a lake bed. Somewhere with a lot less vertical obstacles, to challenge his lack of experience. (Bet me he wasn't able to put it on the ground in one piece – especially with conventional landing gear.)

Back in the 90's I rebuilt some hydraulic cylinders for a flight training simulator when I delivered them the guy showed me around the facility and gave me a hands on look at the goings on in the simulator after his techs had installed them the simulator had to be run trough a series of tests before it could be re certified for use. The guy asked me if I had ever done any flying. Well only small private and couple times as a co pilot in an old Korean war helicopter I told him. Well, well ,well here is your golden opportunity to experience what few people ever get to experience.
he had me strap into the pilots seat while he sat in the instructors chair lets see how many times it takes for you to get the hang of taking off and landing a medium sized commercial airliner with 100 souls on board and not killing everyone in the process. We all died on the first take off and the first 3 landings. By my 5th time he said that while everyone might be a little shaken up the aircraft and occupants would have survived a scheduled stop to fly again.
It gives you a real respect for the amount of training pilots are required to endure for our safety