Profiles in Courage...

So, some folks at a company in France pooled in to buy one of their execs a birthday treat: A ride in the back seat of an Armée de l'Air Dassault Rafale B fighter jet as part of a three-ship aerobatic training flight.

The 64-y.o. dude in question had never ridden in a fighter jet before, and nobody thought to ask him if this was a thing he'd be interested in. In fact, he was terrified.

But he showed no indication of his fear and climbed aboard. As the jet passed through 2500 feet on its climb-out, he panicked and grabbed spastically for a handhold...and wound up ejecting himself.

The ejector seat landed him without major injury, and the pilot was able to land the plane.

The dude's smartwatch recorded a pulse rate as high as in excess of 140bpm when he was climbing aboard.

If courage is being pants-crappingly scared and carrying through regardless, this dude is a lot braver than most are giving him credit for.
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