The Annotated "High Flight"

The following is presented with sincere apologies to John Gillespie Magee Jnr
We do not know the source of the notations.
High Flight
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth(1),
And danced(2) the skies on laughter silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed(3) and joined the tumbling mirth(4)
Of sun-split clouds(5) and done a hundred things (6)
You have not dreamed of --
Wheeled and soared and swung(7)
High in the sunlit silence(8).

Hovering there(9)
I've chased the shouting wind(10) along and flung(11)
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up along delirious(12), burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights(13) with easy grace,
Where never lark, or even eagle(14) flew;
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space(15),
Put out my hand(16), and touched the face of God.

from John Gillespie Magee Jr., "High Flight")

"CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY SUPPLEMENT" to "High Flight"

  1. Flight crews must insure that all surly bonds have been slipped entirely before aircraft taxi or flight is attempted.
  2. During periods of severe sky dancing, the FASTEN SEATBELT sign must remain constantly illuminated.
  3. Sunward climbs must not exceed the maximum permitted aircraft ceiling.
  4. Passenger aircraft are prohibited from joining the tumbling mirth.
  5. Pilots flying through sun-split clouds must comply with all applicable visual and instrument flight rules.
  6. Do not perform these hundred things in front of Civil Aviation Authority inspectors.
  7. Wheeling, soaring, and swinging will not be accomplished simultaneously except by pilots in the flight simulator or in their own aircraft on their own time.
  8. Be advised that sunlit silence will occur only when a major engine malfunction has occurred.
  9. "Hov'ring there" will constitute a highly reliable signal that a flight emergency is imminent.
  10. Forecasts of shouting winds are available from the local Flight Service office. Encounters with unexpected shouting winds should be reported by pilots.
  11. Be forewarned that pilot craft-flinging is a leading cause of passenger airsickness.
  12. Should any crewmember or passenger experience delirium while in the burning blue, submit an irregularity report upon flight termination.
  13. Windswept heights will be topped by a minimum of 1,000 feet to prevent massive airsickness-bag use.
  14. Aircraft engine ingestion of, or impact with, larks or eagles should be reported to the CAA and the appropriate aircraft maintenance activity.
  15. Air Traffic Control (ATC) must issue all special clearances for treading the high untresspassed sanctity of space.
  16. CAA regulations state that no one may sacrifice aircraft cabin pressure to open aircraft windows or doors while in flight 

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