OneJerusalem.com

Picture: Nir Ben Yosef
The Israeli Air Force is studying how the drug Sildenafil sulfate, otherwise known as Viagra, may be beneficial to fighter pilots on combat missions. The drug, most commonly used by men to have better and longer erections may also be helpful in controlling a pilot’s blood pressure and functional capability during high altitude flights, when less oxygen is available.

Viagra and generic derivatives such as Tadalafel, from which Calais is derived, have become increasingly popular with men, especially those over age 50. Fighter pilots, who are usually in their early to mid 20’s, and at the height of their physical (as well as sexual) prowess Just like the drug is supposed to make men more “sexually aware” it also may sharpen a pilot’s awareness concerning sighting and closing in on his targets in the air.

Now why would this sort of thing be cool to must of us guys who aren’t “fly boys”? The answer is very simple: if this stuff helps fighter pilots “shoot straight” in a manner speaking, it should help us too, even though we’re not a “top gun” at the controls of an F-16A fighter jet. Many may be wondering if fighter pilots might even be too gung ho after taking these drugs prior to leaving on a mission. Flying a sophisticated aircraft, like an F-16, is not child’s play; and if these guys start thinking about the girl friends while hot-rodding their planes in the “wild blue yonder” it might result in some interesting “maneuvering”. Taking the drug prior to flying, might be embarrassing afterwards, though, especially wearing the normally tight flight suits that fighter pilots have to wear.

Using these drugs top enhance combat flying ability will be discussed further at an Air Force investigations conference that will deal with the matter of using Viagra as a performance enhancing drug. Whatever happens as to a final decision, one thing may be for certain. And that is the drug might be able to “free” the pilot’s normal appendages for manning the aircraft’s fighting equipment, since another “appendage” will be available to help fly the aircraft. After all, if one can play a piano this way, why not fly a plane?