Strap in, put your G SUIT on as we pull 9’G’s going VERTICAL, DEEP, and WIDE, with female solo pilot for the USAF Thunderbirds Michelle MACE Curran, enjoy the story about the FLYING DORITO

Michelle ‘Mace’ Curran is a former fighter pilot and one of only a handful of women who have flown with the Thunderbirds demonstration team. Michelle was the lead solo pilot of the Thunderbirds from 2020 to 2021, and during the darkest days of the pandemic, her flying skills served to entertain the public and inspire the next generation of female aviators.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Michelle Curran on:

• (00:03:04) The Super Bowl flyover. Michelle recalls her first nerve-wracking public flight with The Thunderbirds and reveals the final adjustments she needed to make to synchronize her flight with the singer’s rendition of the National Anthem.

• (00:19:23) Pulling 9 Gs in an F-16. She describes what it’s like to pull 8-9 Gs at 100 feet above the ground and talks about the left-wing solo pilot’s signature manoeuver, a 360-degree right turn performed in full afterburner.

• (00:35:35) The America Strong flyovers. We talk about the collaboration between the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels on their joint flyovers to support healthcare workers during the Covid crisis, and Michelle expresses her gratitude for the rare opportunity to fly at 500 feet over the Manhattan skyline. 

• (00:56:16) The impact of an all-woman crew. As a proud member of the all-female Thunderbird # 5 crew, Michelle points to the diverse opportunities for women in the Air Force and hopes that her example will inspire others. 

• (01:19:05) What flying with the Thunderbirds taught her. After a stellar career in the Air Force, Michelle confesses she will miss the camaraderie of her exceptional colleagues as well as the opportunities for continuous improvement offered by the service’s debrief culture.