PHOENIX, Ariz. (KFGO) – An Air Force pilot from Casselton will lead F-35 fighter jets in a fly-over at the NASCAR 2020 Cup Championship at Phoenix Raceway this Sunday.
Major Skylor Helm said it’s an honor. He’s been flying since he was a teenager. You could say flying is in his blood. His father Farrel Helm is a well-known crop-duster. Skylor received his pilot’s license at 17.
Major Helm trained as a fighter pilot after graduating from the Air Force Academy. He was an instructor for F-15E fighters and now is an instructor for F-35A’s, said to be the world’s most advanced fighter.
Sunday’s fly-over is all about precision. The jets will fly close together at about 1000 feet, flying between 350 and 400 MPH, and “nail the time over target right over of the raceway,” he said. At a predetermined point, the jets will help with the math to let the pilots know when to speed up or slow down so they are exactly on time.
Only a limited number of fans will be allowed at the Championship title Sunday because of coronavirus but it will be televised. The fly-over is at 2 p.m. Fargo time, following the national anthem.
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