Yup, 263 is here on New River. Worked with them in the past. They did an exhibition flight out to a Dutch logistical carrier (the Karel Doorman) that was on her maiden voyage. We landed on the deck of the boat, I was tasked with overseeing the hot fuel operations (had spent a few days training the Dutch sailors on hot fuel) got a quick tour of the ship then we took off. The pilots requested permission to do a “full power run-up and transition” as part of the display for the Dutch crew. So as we left the boat in helo mode, our pilots side slipped next to the boat about 50 foot off the water and hovered for a minute. Then the crazy asshats literally jammed the throttle to the max and yanked on some levers......... we rose with such force you couldn’t move! Literally straight up like a slingshot! Then while still under full power they transitioned to airplane mode and made a sweeping dive (leaving us weightless for the dive and then crushing against the seats when they pulled out of it) past the side of the boat where we had just been hovering a few seconds earlier. It was the worst roller coaster ride ever. Then we get word; the Dutch Captain didn’t have his camera on, can we do it again? Did I mention how much I despise roller coasters? Yes, we did it again. I hate 22s.
