View Full Version : Aerobatic Birthday Flight
Wageslave
30th Mar 2012, 22:11
I've been asked where to send a (non-flying) adrenaline- junkie friend for a long-dreamed of aerobatic flight for his birthday and as a commercial pilot I'm expected to know these things - but I'm not up to date on availability of club aircraft these days.
He won't want or need an Extra/Sukhoi or anything extreme - just a competent 20 - 30 min aerobatic experience. ie not a C150...
His home is Windsor - anywhere within an hour or so from there would be fine.
Ideas please?
Try The London Aerobatic Company at White Waltham.
You can google their website.
Very nice Cap 10b.
Zulu Alpha
30th Mar 2012, 23:03
Try this, based at Panshangar I believe. They also do videos.
Aerobatic Experience Flights and Trial Lessons | Adastral Flying (http://www.adastralflying.com/joyrides.html)
Human Factor
31st Mar 2012, 08:04
Without a doubt, get in touch with West London Aero Club at White Waltham (google). The aerobatic side is run by Alan Cassidy who trains the national team and operates their Pitts S-2. :ok:
foxmoth
31st Mar 2012, 08:20
Ultimate High | Ultimate High (http://www.ultimatehigh.co.uk/)
You can choose the Bulldog or Extra, and if he really enjoys Adrenalin then try a Top Gun trip!:ok:
cyberkryten
17th Apr 2012, 08:51
A 40min aero experience in the Extra at Ultimate High last summer is one reason I'm now doing my PPL :)
Another vote for Ultimate High, had a flight with them in their Extra 300 last summer, now I just need to work a bit harder so I can get one!
rob.davis87
17th Apr 2012, 12:22
Stapleford Flight Centre Private Flying Lessons, Gift Experiences, Private Pilot Courses, PPL, Stapleford Flight Centre, London, UK (http://www.flysfc.com/aerobatic-lessons-private.php) have a T67 Firefly that they use for aerobatic experience flights. Nice restaurant there as well for lunch afterwards.
Spit161
17th Apr 2012, 15:58
Try this, based at Panshangar I believe. They also do videos.
Aerobatic Experience Flights and Trial Lessons | Adastral Flying
Agreed - Adrian is very accommodating - well worth it!
18greens
17th Apr 2012, 20:35
Hmmm, Windsor, got to be the Pitts s2 at White Waltham followed by a bacon sandwich in the nostalgic club bar. No brainer.
Hope he has fun.
FlyingFinancier
17th Apr 2012, 22:12
I know this is heresy, and this is completely a matter of personal taste, but I would say that in 15 years of flying aeros (at a 'just for my own fun' level from Fireflys through Zlins and Caps to Extra 300s) the only flight I really didn't like was the front seat of a Pitts S2. Maybe it's my build but I felt like I was stuffed into a coffin, horrid visibility / difficult to orientate, very twitchy, stench of hydrocarbon. Might be the mutt's nuts from the rear seat, and I know it's great value relative to other options but my first experience deterred me from finding out....
Zulu Alpha
17th Apr 2012, 22:56
FF, I would agree. Its much nicer in the front of an Extra 200 (or 300) than a Pitts S2A.
stiknruda
18th Apr 2012, 05:49
And as a Pitts owner for a decade and a half - I would entirely agree with FF and ZA!
The front seat of an Eagle or a B are much nicer than the A. Notwithstanding that, I can't imagine that even a mega lottery win would cause me to trade mine!!
Stik
The500man
18th Apr 2012, 06:47
stench of hydrocarbonYeah that smell you get in the front is not pleasant. I think the 2C is worse than the 2A presumably since it has a bigger engine. After a couple of sorties that smell is not pleasant in the front particularly if you're already starting to feel a bit off, though I find it is barely noticeable in the back but that may just be down to concentration.
I'd like to try an Extra 300 but £410 ph is a lot! The 200 looks like the better priced option at £260.
v1rotate1
18th Apr 2012, 12:51
If he lives in Windsor and wants to see somewhere a little local with good atmosphere then White Waltham. Pitts S2 flights are a good option. See here - Aerobatic Flights with Alan Cassidy, Pitts Flights, Extra 300 Flights (http://freestyleaviation.co.uk/Freestyle/Flights/flights.htm)
Another option, if you want to go radical in an S Bach at White Waltham:ok: - Xtreme Aerobatics - Booking (http://xtremeaerobatics.co.uk/booking.html)
V1
Fournierf5
18th Apr 2012, 23:34
Nothing too extreme, I believe, was the original request! There's a nice chap with a CAP10 here:
The Tiger Club Trial Flights (http://www.tigerclub.co.uk/trials.html#Aerobatic)
OK it may be 90mins from Windsor, but my similarly 'gung ho' son was suitably stirred but not shaken after his first ride last year. Nice and easy does it!:D:D