Originally Posted by
Global Aviator
As Porter says, yep I would jump on a Collings aircraft any day.
To see these fabulous historic aircraft in the sky is amazing. If your ever in doubt get yourself to Oshkosh.
One question I have and in no way am I being negative to the crew. I ask about older pilots flying and potential issues. How heavy on the controls is the B17 in emergencies? As we get older we can loose some of our strength and dexterity.
In most countries in commercial ops over xx age can not fly together.
I am the first to put my hand up and say I would love to learn from pilots this experienced.
As I said in no way am I having a go at the crew.
The B-17, like other 1930’s designs, has pretty (very) sluggish control responses, but I don’t recall it as being particularly heavy in any axis. Its old fashioned: you actually have to coordinate turns with rudder. Without rudder, aileron drag will cause the aircraft to turn away from a gently banked wing. Kids today don’t believe that.