Spitfire flights

[Markt1609]

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy a pleasure flight in one of the converted two-seater Spitfires? call it a donation if it helps
Always wanted to fly in one as far back as I can remember now fifty would love to.

[Dan the weegie]

They are all on permits so they wont advertise (particularly on here!) that they'll sell flights because it's not legal.
Try a Harvard though, they're pretty brilliant.
I also think you can get Hunter experiences which would be awesome too, I rather suspect though that you would be talking £5k for 1 hr.

[rsuggitt]

Google 'Grace Spitfire', register on their lists, and wait 10 years... maybe 15... maybe more...

[youngskywalker]

Or just give up on this nanny state country and go somewhere where you CAN legally pay for a pleasure flight. Plenty choice in the USA, Mustang, Spitfire, DC3's, Harvards and a B25 Mitchell all spring to mind!:ok:

[matkey]

Can vouch for the Mustang flights in the US. Just spent an amazing 30 mins in one...wasnt cheap but worth every penny!

[Dan the weegie]

nice idea, must add it to my list of things I must do before I can't fly any more.

[Noah Zark.]

MATKEY,
How much and where?

[BobD]

Just came across this site - not a recommendation, just thought it may be of interest.

Fly with a Spitfire, Spitfire, Spitfire flight, Battle of Britain - Action Stations (http://flywithaspitfire.co.uk/booking)


BobD

[youngskywalker]

I think the P51 'Crazy Horse' is based from Orlando Kissimmee. Also available at the same airfield is Warbird Adventures, they fly the Texan (Harvard to us) and occasionally a B25 Mitchell.

[Roundcube]

Hi,

Not sure if you’ve had any luck with trying to find an answer to this. My understanding is that there are only 3 airworthy 2 seater Spitfires in the UK and getting to fly in one will prove tricky due to CAA regulations. I was looking for something similar last year.

An alternative might be to get a flight in an aircraft which flies alongside the Spitfire whilst it undertakes a number of manoeuvres. There are a couple of companies offering this www.historic-flying-aces.co.uk (http://www.historic-flying-aces.co.uk/) and www.goactionstations.co.uk (http://www.goactionstations.co.uk/). They might be able to help.

Good luck!

[Divergent Phugoid!]

I understand there is a change to the CAA rules coming along quite soon which would allow such an event to take place, not sure of the exact details but its something to do with standardizing the rules across the EASA enlisted countries.



Last year saw Five serviceable two seat spits in the same week at Duxford; Four for an airshow and one in for servicing, (Welsh shiny one!) all in the same week!!

[Badger3434]

Try Peter Teichman at The Hangar 11 Collection Home Page (http://www.hangar11.co.uk). He's got some two-seat stuff, and I thought he had a two-seat Spit as well but it dosn't show on the website.

[500 above]

Try these guys.

Boultbee Flight Academy (http://www.boultbeeflightacademy.co.uk/)

[NutLoose]

For what it is worth There are changes being proposed by the CAA and under consultation by industry at the moment that could well see major changes that will lead to the operation of comercially based flights in the likes of Spitfires.
And I quote
and it provides a framework that could be used to support limited commercial operation of ex-military aircraft in the future.

See

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/2537/Annex%201%20to%20Invitation%20to%20Comment.pdf

And

Proposed Amendment to BCAR A, CAP 553 and BCAR B, CAP 554 | Consultations and Responses | About the CAA (http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=2537)

[First_Principal]

FWIW, if you felt like a wee trip down south we can do you a flight in a cold-war USSR jet (hands on if you're looking for a type-rating), followed by a C47 perhaps if you're feeling like winding down after that :}

Oh, and it's blue skies with occasional cloud and around 24C at the moment :ok:

FP.

[RMK]

I did a P51 flight at Stallion 51 in Kissimmee, FL a couple years ago. At the time it was USD 2100.00 for 30mins and USD 3000.00 for an hour.

Yes expensive, but a fantastic one-off treat. I did an hour flight of aerobatic moves away at a training area. Great experience and they have internal/external video cams for nice take away video. Highly recommend it.

[BRL]

Dear Santa............ :}

[foxmoth]

Boultbee will probably help if you have a licence, but a bit harder if not.

[taxistaxing]

(http://www.hangar11.co.uk/)The Hangar 11 Collection Home Page (http://www.hangar11.co.uk/).
(http://www.hangar11.co.uk/)

These aircraft are flown regularly from North Weald - didn't realise the collection had its own website.

They are definitely one of best things about flying into that wonderful airfield. On more than one occasion I've called for join and been cautioned against "jet provost and spitfire traffic" in the circuit which you don't get just anywhere...

Watching the XI Spitfire takeoff, Merlin engine at full chat, is a sight and sound to behold.

Wasn't aware they had two seaters though.

[Barcli]

they don't ;)

[Chris1012]

Thanks for the link, I've been pondering something like this for some time but dismissed it as unrealistic, now I've just got to ponder on the 5 grand.
More of a sideways movement really :)

[Beech_Boy]

...........

[Richard Westnot]

I don't think that he will happy with that statement.

[percy prentice]

Saw this a couple of months ago. I think this is going to be on my list of things I should do before I get really really old. At least you can legally put this in your log book as opposed to having to do shady cash jobs or go to countries that may not necessarily have flight & maintenance safety on the top of the list.

Alex James flies a Supermarine Spitfire - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/9605171/Alex-James-flies-a-Supermarine-Spitfire.html)

[Lunchmaster]

There was also this report of a flight in a two-seater Spitfire earlier in the year:

You don't sit in a spitfire - you strap the beast on! Ever wondered what it's like to pilot a Spitfire? Ben Griffiths fulfilled a childhood dream and found out | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2198968/You-dont-sit-spitfire--strap-beast-Ever-wondered-like-pilot-Spitfire-Ben-Griffiths-fulfilled-childhood-dream-out.html)

The Aircraft Restoration Company is one of the leading Spitfire restorers and operates the two-seater featured in this article.

Lunchmaster

[taxistaxing]

Some stunning footage of the Hanger 11 spit featured in the "Operation Crossbow" documentary currently on BBC iplayer.

Well worth a watch.

[barit1]

47 yrs ago - On a raffle, I won a ride in back of a P51H (N313H) . Yes, the only flying H in the world at that time. Impressions: In a 2G turn (60º bank), the nose barely creeps around the horizon. And when inverted in a hesitation roll, your shirt pocket empties to the canopy.

Since then, a very noisy ride in a B-25H "Barbie III" (N5548N). Yes, the only flying H in the world. An airplane with a fairly wide speed range to its credit, but bring your earplugs!

And - on a hot July 2008 day - a mercifully-drafty old airplane ride: B-17G "Liberty Belle" (N390TH) fresh out of rebuild. This ship was once an engine testbed for P&W (N5111N). Badly damaged in 1979 in Windsor Locks CT when a tornado picked up a parked Albatross and dropped it on the B-17. Beautiful workmanship evident in stringer splices in the aft fuselage!

Sadly, three years later (http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20110613X14032&key=1) this beautiful bird suffered a broken fuel line, inflight fire, & successful forced landing, but lack of firefighting access in a muddy field led to its total loss.

[emmccan]

Just to make it clear anyone can fly in an ex military aircraft in the UK.
The problem comes from payment, if your happy to cough up for half the cost of the flight then some pilots would be happy to take you for a flight just so they get some time in the air as well but you couldn't pay for all of the flight however as has been noted within the next 12 months we will be allowed to operate commercially so expect the costs to go up a bit. :{

[3 Point]

It was mentioned higher up the thread but the Boultbee Flight Academy is the only CAA approved Spitfire school in the world. They sell advanced training courses which include full briefings from highly experienced Spitfire display pilots (most of who are ex Military, test pilots, airline captains) and you fly Tiger Moth, Harvard then Spitfire. Check it out here...

Boultbee Flight Academy (http://www.boultbeeflightacademy.co.uk/)

As I say, fully CAA approved and legal!

3 Point

[magpienja]

PM sent......