Have you ever heard the saying, "My heart was in my mouth"? I think I know how it originated: I suspect it was started by the first passenger in a stunt plane.

Falcon Field is throwing a party this weekend and everyone is invited. The airport is having their first air show Sept. 12 and 13 and, as a newspaper staff photographer, I was trying to think of a photo that would best show you what will be happening. When I was offered the chance to go up in one of the stunt planes that will be performing, I jumped at it.

The Zlin 5526F, a stunt plane built in the Czech Republic, sat ready, waiting and somehow smiling at me on the day I arrived at Falcon Field for my adventure. It's one of many planes owned by pilot Chris Smisson owner of Airshowunlimited.com of Carrollton. Peachtree City resident Dave Bowers, a pilot with Delta who also flies with Smisson for fun, was slated to take me up.

On our walk to the plane, Chris and Dave filled me in on what to expect. Before I even stepped foot into the cockpit I had a good idea what I'd hear, feel and smell. I was told the plane was built for stunt flying not for comfort, so it would be noisy.

They also told me what G-force to expect and that the plane was "packing smoke," so when I smelled it I'd know we weren't on fire. (I was really glad they thought to tell me that one.) Any fears I had or would have were eased by both pilots.

Once I wiggled into my tiny compartment at the front of the Zlin the first step was getting strapped in. It's one of the most important steps in my book. It ranks right up there with having enough gas and working landing gear. The straps were brought over my shoulders and around my waist and pulled tightly.

I felt secure and safe and ready to go, but then Chris said, "Okay, that's your parachute." Parachute?

Parachute! I hadn't even thought about needing one. This was getting serious. Then I got instructions in case I actually had to put it to use. It's easy I'm told: after Dave pops the cover, climb out on the wing and just jump. Keep your legs together, your knees bent, and on your way down make sure to look at the horizon not at the ground.

After you've landed, undo the chute and knock on the door of the nearest house and ask for a ride back to the airport. If you want to be really cool, don't undo the chute drag it along and ask for a ride. Since I always want to be cool, I decided on the latter.

Then came another set of straps that went around my waist and over my shoulders again and around each leg. Next was the headgear equipped with a microphone so we could talk back and forth. Fine for me but if I started screaming Dave's hearing would be in jeopardy. My camera was loaded and around my neck. I was in and ready for take off.

I was strangely calm as we taxied out for takeoff and before I knew it we were in the air. That's when all the fun began. Once we reached the proper altitude and airspace not above any of you down below, we did our first trick. Dave told me it would be a loop. He started it by pointing the nose of the plane down, and then up and over we went in a perfect backward circle.

An important thing to remember here is that we had to fight gravity and win in order to come out the other side. As we were heading up, gravity tried to hold on to us and I was pulled back in the seat, wondering if my face was making that wobbly cheek G-force smile we've all seen on TV.

When we reached the top of the loop there was a moment when I felt as if I was floating, then wham gravity was back. But we beat it and came out of it perfectly.

I felt like a seasoned pro by now and ready for anything. Our next maneuver was a barrel roll. Wing over wing we went so easily that I just watched the horizon flip west over east. Nothing to it.

Then I was put to the test. The next move on the menu was a Hammer Head. This involves flying straight up until we reached a peak, like on the top of the first big hill of a roller coaster. Then we seemed to just stop weightlessly for a second before the nose of the plane headed back down over the wing and we started our spiraling fall toward earth. This was the move that reminded me of the saying "My heart was in my mouth," not because I was afraid I wasn't but because I'm not sure where my internal organs were at this point. It didn't matter though because I was having so much fun I wouldn't have cared if my appendix was in my ear.

The photo I hoped to get was when Dave set off the smoke. Since I was in the front seat I'd have to hold my camera backward over my head, fight the G force, hope I was aiming in the right direction and get my finger on the motor drive button, all while upside down.

We started looping back over ourselves, leaving a great trail of white smoke for all the world to see. I got my camera up and shot. Then I crossed my fingers. I knew that once we landed I'd be heading for the one-hour photo lab.

It was time to land then. Dave likes to keep the flights to five or 10 minutes. One minute too long can change an exhilarating experience into an "I'm not feeling so well" flight. We'd been up for 20 minutes that passed like three.

My feet were back on the ground but they were attached to shaky legs. Once I got them going again I headed straight for the lab knowing that whatever I shot would never come close to the experience. If you keep this photo in mind and go to the Air Show and watch the stunt fliers, you'll see what I mean.

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