Good dog takes walkies to a whole new level by regularly flying in his owner’s plane

Virgin Radio

28 Sep 2021, 14:18

You know how most dogs get incredibly excited when they think they are going for walkies? And how that excitement is ramped up even further when they find out they are going in the car? Well, imagine what their reaction would be if they were to take regular trips in the cockpit of a plane! That’s exactly what happens with a cute golden retriever in the US.

According to The Daily Mail, ever since Justin Coleman's dog Gus was 12 weeks old, he has been joining the pilot in his RV-9A aircraft on scenic flights around Denver, Colorado. “If I ask Gus 'want to go to the airport' he runs out of the house and waits by the garage door for me,” Justin said.

We don’t know about you, but judging by how excited our dogs get in a car, we’re not sure we’d let them anywhere near the cockpit of a plane! However, 42-year-old Justin said that Gus is totally chilled out about the whole experience. “Gus really enjoys flying and is at ease. I imagine he thinks it's similar to riding in the car, he said. “While taxiing the airplane, the canopy of the airplane can be open so he sticks his head out looking and smelling for squirrels and birds.”

He added: “Even when it's closed and we're thousands of feet up in the air, he's doing the same thing.”

And now, Gus’ little sister Dora also goes in the cockpit. “Dora is still too new to the experience for me to gauge her interest other than she seems happy to tag along,” Justin explained.

Justin doesn't have any specific equipment for his two dogs, but what he has done is move the passenger stick control to make extra room for Gus. Also, this also eliminates the risk of the dogs accidently bumping into it, which seems sensible.

Justin added: “I think everyone is a little intrigued, some get excited, point, wave and smile when they see the dogs in the airplane.”

We’d definitely double-take if we saw a golden retriever in the cockpit of a plane!