Dreams of the Skies.
One day, I wish I could fly. Faster than the speed of sound? Perhaps. But travelling into the night sky in my own plane or jet would be an incredible experience…
This little jet, an Aero L-39C “Albatros”, was designed for the Czech Air Force as a training aircraft. Other versions including the L-39ZO and L-39ZA, were made for light combat uses as well. It’s not very fast compared to modern birds such as the mach-cruising F-22A Raptor JSF, flying at only around 450 knots; however, the key point is that this particular plane has been and still is one of the most popular fighter jet trainers in the world, and it’s not “too” hard for anyone (private pilots of the United States included) to get his or her hands on a C version. How hard? Can you muster up at least $150,000 US for a decent one? Maybe shell out up to $300,000 for one fitted with modern avionics? Don’t forget maintenance and above all, fuel. Righhhht…
Dream on, Kevin Lin. You’re a college student. Maybe not now, but you’ll soar one day in Heaven–faster, farther, higher, and with more excitement than on this little Earth. God’s got it under control.
(images from http://www.l39.com/photos.html)
[...] But what does a college student have that can compare to this man’s works? Apparently, he’s over 30 years old, and with me being, er, about a decade younger, I still have a while to go: get a supporting job, at the least. If this sounds like a RELAy post longing for flight in jets, it should; college students (tend to?) study, not pursue lofty purchases/ambitions, and I’m not an exception. However, unlike learning to fly the L-39C, mecha cosplay is actually feasible during an active semester. It’s the deadlines (Otakon 2008, Setsucon 2009, etc.) and a “slight” lack in funding that prevent me from doing so; all in all, though, one might expect me to…one day…say the same words the blogger wrote above: “I AM GUNDAM!” [...]