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 Salinas Airshow 10/2007 
Ken, Nick and Candace about to perform their duty as members of the International Poleholders Union.  If Candace looks nervous, it was going to be her first time holding the pole.
Ken, Nick and Candace about to perform their duty as members of the International Poleholders Union. If Candace looks nervous, it was going to be her first time holding the pole.
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Here we are in front of Sean D. Tucker's beautiful Oracle Challenger.
This plane was going to be flying under a ribbon strung between two poles.  IIRC, the ribbon is only 22 feet off the ground, and Sean flies under it at over 200 mph!
Here we are in front of Sean D. Tucker's beautiful Oracle Challenger.
This plane was going to be flying under a ribbon strung between two poles. IIRC, the ribbon is only 22 feet off the ground, and Sean flies under it at over 200 mph!
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A few different view of Sean's machine.
A few different view of Sean's machine.
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At this point, we're on the field, the poles are all set up, and lying on the ground.  We have a few minutes to watch Sean perform directly overhead, and we were allowed to take pictures.  It's very different watching an airshow directly overhead, not 500 feet from the crowd as mandated by the FAA.
At this point, we're on the field, the poles are all set up, and lying on the ground. We have a few minutes to watch Sean perform directly overhead, and we were allowed to take pictures. It's very different watching an airshow directly overhead, not 500 feet from the crowd as mandated by the FAA.
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Soon, Sean will be ready to fly under the ribbons, then make a second pass where he cuts them, and then a final slow pass down low.  When we perform our duties as poleholders, all our attention if focused on making sure our pole is straight.  No time for distractions like taking pictures.
Soon, Sean will be ready to fly under the ribbons, then make a second pass where he cuts them, and then a final slow pass down low. When we perform our duties as poleholders, all our attention if focused on making sure our pole is straight. No time for distractions like taking pictures.
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Here Sean is maybe 50 feet over my head.  The only thing more awesome than that was when he came hurtling by under the ribbons at 200+ mph, and the wingtips were maybe 10 feet from me.  I had complete faith in him, and wasn't scared at all.  Sean is the best!
Here Sean is maybe 50 feet over my head. The only thing more awesome than that was when he came hurtling by under the ribbons at 200+ mph, and the wingtips were maybe 10 feet from me. I had complete faith in him, and wasn't scared at all. Sean is the best!
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My brush with greatness.  In addition to being an incredible pilot, Sean is a super nice guy.
My brush with greatness. In addition to being an incredible pilot, Sean is a super nice guy.
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Nick wasn't sure he actually took the first picture, so I got an emergency backup picture. :-)
Nick wasn't sure he actually took the first picture, so I got an emergency backup picture. :-)
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