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Professional swoop racers wear fully sealed flight suits with independent oxygen supplies for high-gee manoeuvres and high-altitude flight, while elaborate safety harnesses keep them in the saddle. However, most swoop gangs laugh at these precautions, ignoring the "splat-suits", "sissy straps" and even avoiding wearing helmets to pursue a dangerous, high-speed life on the edge. The best pilots awe even casual observers as they coax their swoops through complex manoeuvres commonly thought impossible; pilots who push themselves beyond their abilities end their careers abruptly. These vehicles are not suited for the faint of heart or the young and overconfident.
Sam Neely
Friend and top-notch
Swoop mechanic
*Neely's face belongs
to Viggo Morgenstern
My biggest competition is Adric Von Hausen. His ego's about as big. Of course, some people would say mine is too.
He's not a bad guy though, as long as he keeps his hands offa my girl.
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Forward control vanes and longer stabilizer bars make this swoop more forgiving of pilot error. A central repulsor pod on the forward frame extension gives the pilot a greater chance of regaining control if the swoop begins to tumble. The engine components are housed in the reinforced chassis, with the seat over the entire assembly. Manoeuvrability is provided by the steering vanes, balance modules in the repulsorlift units (including the forward repulsorlift pod), angling turbothruster nacelles, adjusting altitude and the pilot shifting weight around. Engine vents ensure the thrusters and repulsorlift motors all roar in a cacophony of power. Intakes at the front of the engine forced air through the turbothrusters, generating increased thrust, while directional thrust nozzles at the rear of the swoop allow increased fine manoeuvring. However, this swoop is still tricky for even the most experienced pilot.
 Don't be fooled by Felicia's looks. This beautiful lady is not only a swoop jockey's dream, she's also a class act mechanic (and mine in both categories)
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