Ragged Edge

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- Damon Lane, KTXS Meteorologist, looks for the areas that he is suppose to place his feet before his flight in the Ragged Edge, March 22. The Ragged Edge is an acrobatic aircraft that will be performing at the Big Country Airfest on May 3rd, gates open at 8:00 am. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Courtney Richardson)

Ragged Edge

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sarah Varble, Abilene Reporter News Videographer, gives a thumbs up before her media flight in the Ragged Edge, March 22. The Ragged Edge is an aerobatic aircraft that will be performing at the Big Country Airfest on May 3rd, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Courtney Richardson)

Local reporters get to fly on the 'edge'

Published March 28, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Joel Mease
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ABILENE, Texas -- Two local members of the media got to experience firsthand what an aerial acrobatic air show is like March 22.

Abilene Reporter News Reporter Sarah Varble and TV KTXS Meteorologist Damon Lane took to the skys in a Pitts S2B Stunt Plane with pilot, Jill "Raggz" Long, at the Abilene Regional Airport to experience one of the aerial stunt acts that will perform during the Big Country Airfest May 3.

Before their flight on the "Ragged Edge," media members received a safety briefing from the career Air Force pilot. Raggz briefed the flight would take them around 3,000 feet and would include loops similar to a roller coaster ... except there wouldn't be any tracks.

Along with the occasional flips they would perform in mid-air, she also told them they would also get to perform positive and negative Gs. To give them an even better flying experience, she also would let them take the stick and allow them to fly in the open sky.

After the briefing, media members checked out the "Ragged Edge," a single-engine stunt plane. While small, Raggz said the plane was very safe plane and could put on quite a show.

After their respective flights, each of the media members said the flying experience was positive and exciting.

"I totally chose the wrong profession," joked Mrs. Varble after her flight. "I think the scariest part was her letting me take the stick!"

Raggz, who is an instructor at Sheppard Air Force Base, teams up with her husband, Chuck, who acts a coach and manager for the pilot.

"We're trying to convey to others to follow their passion and their dreams. If we touch one or two lives at each show... well, the world will be a better place," Mr. Long said.

Local residents from around the area will get the chance to experience "Ragged Edge" May 3 during the Big Country Airfest. The airfest will be free and open to the public. Gates are scheduled to open at 8 a.m. with the show starting at 10 a.m.