Watch this fighter jet's insane vertical takeoff

Some things make sense to me.

With others, I struggle.

So when I watch this footage of a Polish Air Force MiG-29 taking off, I go along for the ride. Until my stomach takes an involuntary turn.

I imagine, you see, what it would be like to be in the cockpit as the pilot decides to have a little fun.

The takeoff seems entirely normal until the pilot appears to push the "Make Like A Rocket" button. Suddenly, the plane turns to the vertical and rises like a NASA shuttle.

Polish pilots are world-renowned for their extraordinary skills, even the ones on the national airline LOT. (I used to fly it all the time.) This must clearly be just another example.