After all the orientation and pre-flight items were completed, Ken and Captain Doyle closed the canopy, lit the twin jets, and took off for the "wild blue skies". The last view we had of them was when Captain Doyle pulled the Hornet into a steep (really steep) climb as they passed the end of the runway.

Ken said they flew over Perdido and Orange Beaches to the west, and beyond Pensacola Beach to the east. He also remarked that the gulf was a beautiful blue-green color and looked great when they were flying upside down.