Brian Udell
Brian’s determination, perseverance, faith, and sheer will to survive is unparalleled. This might be one of the most inspirational talks you will ever hear. His message is of safety, importance of training, practice, teamwork, communication and never giving up.
Brian began flying at age nine, took his first cross-country flight at age ten, soloed at age 16, and received his Private Pilots Certificate at age 17. Since that time he has accumulated over 21,000 hours in a variety of both civil and military aircraft. In 1988, Brian was one of only 60 candidates selected to attend the elite Euro-NATO Joint Pilot Training program. He graduated number one in his class and was awarded the Air Training Command - Commanders Trophy. Brian was among the initial group of Lieutenants selected to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle. He graduated from Strike Eagle training and received the top academic award with an overall average of 99.8%.
Brian went on to his operational units where he became an Instructor, Mission Commander, and Air to Ground Top Gun winner. He has flown over 100 combat missions in Southwest Asia and logged nearly 2000 hours in the Strike Eagle.
Brian received the Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters and the Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters for combat missions over Iraq. His military career spanned ten years. Brian left the Air Force in 1999 and he is currently a Captain with Southwest Airlines, a Competition Aerobatic Pilot, and a Motivational and Inspirational Speaker.
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Hanging in the straps of his parachute and feeling the cold night air on his face, Brian Udell felt as if a freight train had collided with his body. As he struggled to inflate his life preserver before plunging into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean, he realized it had shredded with the force of the supersonic windblast. With his teeth and one functioning arm, Brian feverishly retrieved a one-man life raft that hung from a fifteen-foot lanyard off his right hip only seconds before entering the water. After popping back to the surface like a bobber on fishing line, the saltwater made him painfully aware of the open wounds, cuts, and scrapes that were strewn over his broken body. The thought of blood pouring into the water inviting sharks for a late-night meal motivated him to attempt to get into the partially inflated raft. As he kicked his legs, Brian’s lower limbs felt as though only a thread attached them. Exhausted and unable to enter the raft thoughts of death quickly consumed his mind. Knowing he would be unable to survive the night under the extreme conditions, Brian began to pray. The next several hours of survival and the many months of excruciating rehabilitation deliver an almost unbelievable story. Brian holds the record for surviving the highest speed ejection from a U.S. Fighter Aircraft at nearly 800 M.P.H. He survived four grueling hours 65 miles off the Atlantic Coast in 60-degree water, 5-foot seas, and 15 M.P.H. winds at night. Brian’s determination, perseverance, faith, and sheer will to survive is unparalleled. His story of survival, recovery, and return to the Strike Eagle is an inspiration to everyone.
Brian began flying at age nine, took his first cross-country flight at age ten, soloed at age 16, and received his Private Pilots Certificate at age 17. Since that time he has accumulated over 21,000 hours in a variety of both civil and military aircraft. In 1988, Brian was one of only 60 candidates selected to attend the elite Euro-NATO Joint Pilot Training program. He graduated number one in his class and was awarded the Air Training Command - Commanders Trophy. Brian was among the initial group of Lieutenants selected to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle. He graduated from Strike Eagle training and received the top academic award with an overall average of 99.8%.
Brian went on to his operational units where he became an Instructor, Mission Commander, and Air to Ground Top Gun winner. He has flown over 100 combat missions in Southwest Asia and logged nearly 2000 hours in the Strike Eagle.
Brian received the Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters and the Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters for combat missions over Iraq. His military career spanned ten years. Brian left the Air Force in 1999 and he is currently a Captain with Southwest Airlines, a Competition Aerobatic Pilot, and a Motivational and Inspirational Speaker.
***
Hanging in the straps of his parachute and feeling the cold night air on his face, Brian Udell felt as if a freight train had collided with his body. As he struggled to inflate his life preserver before plunging into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean, he realized it had shredded with the force of the supersonic windblast. With his teeth and one functioning arm, Brian feverishly retrieved a one-man life raft that hung from a fifteen-foot lanyard off his right hip only seconds before entering the water. After popping back to the surface like a bobber on fishing line, the saltwater made him painfully aware of the open wounds, cuts, and scrapes that were strewn over his broken body. The thought of blood pouring into the water inviting sharks for a late-night meal motivated him to attempt to get into the partially inflated raft. As he kicked his legs, Brian’s lower limbs felt as though only a thread attached them. Exhausted and unable to enter the raft thoughts of death quickly consumed his mind. Knowing he would be unable to survive the night under the extreme conditions, Brian began to pray. The next several hours of survival and the many months of excruciating rehabilitation deliver an almost unbelievable story. Brian holds the record for surviving the highest speed ejection from a U.S. Fighter Aircraft at nearly 800 M.P.H. He survived four grueling hours 65 miles off the Atlantic Coast in 60-degree water, 5-foot seas, and 15 M.P.H. winds at night. Brian’s determination, perseverance, faith, and sheer will to survive is unparalleled. His story of survival, recovery, and return to the Strike Eagle is an inspiration to everyone.
Supersonic Survivor
This talk is appropriate for any group. Audiences love Brian Udell.
Brian’s determination, perseverance, faith, and sheer will to survive is unparalleled. This might be one of the most inspirational talks you will ever hear. His message is of safety, importance of training, practice, teamwork, communication and never giving up.
Brian does an excellent job of customizing this program for every group. Each talk produces future bookings from the audience—this says it all. A...
