THE FREEDOM OF FLIGHT
SAM COWAN
‘The Freedom of Flight’ is an exploration of the enduring allure of aviation and a window into the mindset of those who operate at the highest levels.
SAM COWAN
EJECTEE #5458
For Sam Cowan time has always been a luxury measured in fractions of a second. As a former RAF fighter pilot, he spent over 17 years navigating high-stakes aerial missions in the Tornado F3 and Eurofighter Typhoon, where every decision could alter the course of history. But in 2005, time stood still when he was forced to eject at 500mph over the North Sea, a moment that reshaped his career — and his perspective on resilience.
Sam Cowan wears our ALTITUDE MB METEOR
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WHAT WENT THROUGH YOUR MIND THE MOMENT YOU EJECTED FROM YOUR AIRCRAFT?
Ejecting is something you train for but never expect to do. When it happened, there was no time to think, just act. The aircraft was out of control, rolling violently, and I knew I only had seconds. I shouted ‘Eject, eject, eject!’ and pulled the handle. The force was immense, like being shot from a cannon. Suddenly, everything went quiet. Hanging in the parachute, I had a moment to take in what had just happened. Timing made all the difference—whether it’s making a split-second decision to save your life or being on time–on target. In the air, and in life, sometimes you only get one chance to get it right.
HOW DOES HIGH SPEED FLIGHT SHAPE YOUR THINKING & REACTIONS?
High-speed flight forces you to think differently, there’s no pause, no second chances. At low level, you’re covering seven miles a minute; at Supersonic speed, up to twenty. Accuracy is everything. You’re constantly ahead of the aircraft, calculating, adjusting, anticipating. Being on a target within five seconds at these speeds takes absolute focus. In the cockpit, there’s no time to hesitate—you need to glance down and know exactly where you are. Every fraction of a second matters, whether you’re on an intercept or timed strike. It’s not just about reading the time; it’s about trusting that you’re always ahead of it.
"Knowing my grandfather was a WWII Spitfire pilot, aviation has always been in my blood. From watching jets as a kid to flying them. Every flight reminds me why I never gave up."
SAM COWAN
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