TOWN OF MAINE, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – This weekend’s air show is set to dazzle with exciting acts from across the country, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels on Saturday. Among the lucky few invited to fly inside the iconic F-18 jet was local Army recruiter and Maine-Endwell High School hockey coach Michael Neal.

Throughout the day, several individuals experienced the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of riding in the cockpit of a Blue Angels jet. Michael Neal, who is also applying to flight school to learn to pilot helicopters, described this opportunity as a bucket list item he had to check off.

After a comprehensive safety briefing, Neal suited up and took his place in the rear seat of the two-passenger jet. Reflecting on his experience, Neal shared, “Most of it wasn’t scary. The coolest parts, and it’s something that we did an extra two times than the normal ride, was a seven and a half G pull, with a turn at the top. He said I was one of two people to ask to do it again, and I was the first one to ask to do it three times. So, that was definitely my favorite part. I really enjoyed how it felt pushing my body to the limit.”

Neal, whose family was there to watch him take off and land, said nothing will compare to this experience. He plans to start flight school in September to pursue his dream of piloting helicopters.

After his flight, Neal was presented with a signed photo of the Blue Angels flying over Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, a memento of an unforgettable day.