The pilot gooses the throttles, slipping the airplane onto the catapult shuttle. Settling deeper into the seat, he salutes the catapult officer and grabs the canopy handle.

Now, wait for it…

Wham! Sphincters tighten.

Two seconds later, he’s airborne at 150 knots.

If this was Disneyland, it’s an “E” ride!

Jim Purdy is a retired engineering manager who lives in Oregon and spends his day with his faithful dog who never gives him disparagement. She wags her tail as he reads her whatever he has just written.