Hi. I’m Chase, and this is my story…

CHASE TO BANDITO

Chase Bartlett had always been fascinated by flying. His eyes are on the sky, tracing the paths of distant airplanes and wondering what it would be like to soar among the clouds. This fascination grew as he did, and by the time he turned 10, Chase knew exactly what he wanted to be: a fighter jet pilot.

His journey began in earnest when his mother surprised him with tickets to the Experiential Aircraft Association's (EAA) air show in Wisconsin. It was a whirlwind of excitement and inspiration. The air show was unlike anything Chase had ever seen—stunt planes performing gravity-defying maneuvers, vintage aircraft from bygone eras, and the deafening roar of fighter jets zooming past. Chase was mesmerized. He spent hours at the show, soaking in every detail, and even got a chance to sit in the cockpit of a Mustang fighter jet. It was a dream come true and a catalyst for everything that followed.

A few days later, on the way back to Colorado from Wisconsin, he toured the Strategic Air Command & Aviation Museum in Nebraska. There, he delved into the history of aviation, from World War II bombers to modern stealth fighters. Each exhibit filled him with a sense of awe and purpose. He marveled at the stories of pilots who had shaped history and vowed to someday join their ranks.

Back home, Chase's passion for flight didn't wane. His room soon became a miniature hangar, filled with numerous remote control planes. He spent hours mastering the controls, simulating dogfights, and perfecting his landings. Though a local friend’s recommendation, a local professional pilot named BJ Love, who invited Chase to take his first real flight as his co-pilot. Sitting beside BJ in a small Cessna, Chase felt the thrill of flying firsthand. He even got to take the controls for a few moments, an experience that only deepened his determination to become a pilot.

Word of Chase's enthusiasm spread, leading to an unforgettable meeting with Ricky Thomas, the owner of the largest collection of remote control planes in the United States. Ricky was impressed by Chase's knowledge and passion. He gifted Chase his first DIY build remote control plane, offered to host Chase's entire school for a field trip to learn about flight, and showed up at his school for his passion project about becoming a pilot. It was a day of wonder for Chase and his classmates as they explored Ricky's vast collection and learned about the mechanics and history of aviation.

Chase's next big step was joining Civil Air Patrol, the military's youth program in Eagle County at the home of Colorado’s High-altitude ARNG Aviation Training Site (HAATS). Here, he receives formal training in aviation and leadership, along with encouragement and important life scoping skills. He learns about the principles of flight, navigation, and even basic aerospace engineering. The experiences, camaraderie and personal discipline skills Chase is gaining from this program is absolutely priceless. The leadership is an inspiring and supportive group who are positively motivating Chase in becoming a more focused, determined, unstoppable young man and cadet.

The pinnacle of Chase's year came with a surprise trip to Las Vegas, where he was scheduled for a flight with Sky Combat Ace, a company that offered aerial stunt experiences. His pilot was Axel "Guillotine" LeGras, a veteran of the French Army Special Forces. Axel's call sign hinted at his precision and skill in the air, traits Chase admired deeply.

Fitted with an oversized flight suite, and a perfectly adjusted parachute, Chase climbed into a stunt plane, the same type of plane used for Red Bull aerial maneuvers, strapped in and prepared for take off! He felt a rush of adrenaline unlike anything before, equipped with 4 cameras mounted to the craft, Axel guided the plane and handed the controls over to Chase to perform loops, rolls, and dives, each maneuver more thrilling than the last. This flight, give Chase a first hand experience of the exhilaration of piloting a stunt plane.

As part of the experience, Chase was given the opportunity to choose his own call sign. After a moment's thought, he chose "BANDITO"—a nod to his adventurous spirit and his fearless pursuit of his dreams. Axel nodded in approval, declaring that BANDITO was a fitting name for a young pilot with such promise.

The flight with Axel further solidified Chase's dream. It was no longer just a distant aspiration but a tangible goal within his reach. As he touched down in Las Vegas, after reaching 6.5 G’s, Chase knew that this was only the beginning of his journey toward becoming a fighter pilot.

From the EAA air show in Wisconsin to flying with Sky Combat Ace in Las Vegas, Chase's past ten months had been a whirlwind of experiences that transformed him from a boy with a dream into "BANDITO," a young man and determined aviator with the sky as his limit.

Chase’s First Flight with BJ Love.
Eagle Vail Airport, Gypsum Colorado - 11/5/2023