Merz consistently maintains high-speed work pace in the Eurofighter project.
Amateur aviator Friedrich Merz climbs aboard a Eurofighter for a solo expedition, departing Laage close to Rostock. Post the publicity spectacle, politicians shower each other with compliments like military leaders.
Stepping down from the Eurofighter after approximately an hour's flight at Luftwaffenstützpunkt Laage near Rostock, the 68-year-old Merz commented, "Man, what a distinct mode of travel! Sensational journey. It was a blast."
Merz, being a recreational pilot himself, took control of parts of the flight route. The lead cockpit's commands and communications belonged to Oberstleutnant Dirk Pingel of the Luftwaffe Command School. The two maintained regular communication via the continuously active microphone ("Hot Mic").
Pingel expressed pride in his "copilot." "He kept the throttle wide open the whole time," he said. "We surpassed the sound barrier." The plane aimed for Berlin. "We reached Mach 1.3." 1 Mach is roughly 1200 kilometers per hour.
Merz also expressed gratitude towards the troops. "These are superb trainee pilots. Due reverence." Eurofighter pilots undergo training at Laage Airfield, similar to the Eurofighter flight taken by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg around two months ago.
