If you're into aviation at all, you've probably seen or heard John
Gillespie Magee's famous poem High Flight. Well, the FAA finally heard
about it, too.  This version in annotated to FAA comments addended to
ensure that the poem won't induce other pilots to be less than careful.
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                High Flight (FAA)

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)
On 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).  Hov'ring there (9)
I've chased the shouting wind (10) along and flung (11)
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, 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 unsurpassed sanctity of space (15),
Put out my hand (16), and touched the face of God. (17)

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Federal Aviation Administration
High Flight Supplement, Rev. 1997

1. Flight crews must ensure that all surly bonds have been slipped entirely
before taxiing or flight of aircraft is attempted.

2. During periods of severe sky dancing, all crew members and passengers
must be wearing seatbelts.  The Fasten Seatbelt sign must remain
illuminated if installed.

3. Sunward climbs must not exceed maximum certificated climb rates or
designated aircraft ceiling.

4. Aircraft engaged in carrying passengers for hire 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. All hundred undreamed things must be submitted on an approved FAA Flight
Plan and approved prior to execution.

7. Wheeling, soaring, and swinging  must not be attempted simultaneously
except in an approved simulator.

8. Sunlit silence should be considered an indication of a major engine
malfunction.

9. "Hov'ring there"--in fixed wing aircraft--should be considered a
possible indication that a flight emergency is imminent.

10. Forecasts of shouting winds are available from the local Flight Service
Station.  Encounters with unexpected shouting winds should be reported to
Flightwatch on 122.0.

11. Pilot craft-flinging may result in exceeding the stress limits of the
airframe and may cause motion sickness.

12.  Should the pilot or any crew member experience delirium while in the
burning blue, a review of his (her) medical certificate is warranted.

13. Windswept heights must be cleared by a minimum of 1000 feet in
designated non-mountainous areas; 2000 feet in designated mountainous areas..

14. Encounters with larks are permitted if contact with the aircraft is
avoided.  Eagles must be widely avoided to prevent habitat disturbances as
required by the Endangered Species Act.

15. ATC and the Department of the Interior must issue a special clearance
for treading the high untrespassed sanctity of space.


16. Opening the pilot's vent window for the purpose of putting out hands,
or any extension of bodily extremities, should be avoided except during
slow-flight in non-pressurized aircraft.

17. The FAA is restricted from issuing any ruling concerning the
appropriateness of touching the face of God during flight operations.
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