Goose. The Ice Man. Maverick. If you're a fan of the classic 1980's fighter plane flick, Top Gun, you know these names. And one of my favorite lines from that movie (among so many) is: "I've got the need... the need for speed!"

That kept running through my mind last week as I had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of flying in a fighter jet. My need for speed was certainly quenched.

Pilot Peter Jacobs took me up in the "Angel 7", his L-39C jet fighter plane, which is still used as a trainer in the Russian air force. He asked me not to disclose exactly how fast we were going at times, but let's just say that the top speed for this aircraft is well over 500 miles per hour. (We didn't go that fast.) It was absolutely incredible.

Of course, it isn't just the speed that's impressive about the Angel 7. It's agility will wow you as well. Several times during our flight, Jacobs banked so sharply, I was looking straight down at the ground, hundreds of feet below. The highlight of the flight was a mid-air roll, a complete 360 in the sky that was better (and smoother) than any roller coaster you'll ever ride. Jacobs even let me take the controls for a short time. It's a surreal moment when you realize you're actually flying a fighter plane. I didn't want the flight to end, so it was difficult to come down and land, but since we had already gone through around 100 gallons of gas, I guess it was time.

You can see the Angel 7 for yourself this weekend (August 25-26), both up in the air and up close on the ground at the Kansas City Aviation Expo at the Wheeler Downtown Airport. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the gate.

I may never stare down a Russian MIG during air-to-air combat like Maverick and Goose, but I can now say I flew in a fighter plane. All I needed was "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins playing in the background, and the Top Gun experience would have been complete.