Legal Spitfire Passenger Flights
 

It looks like the CAA have approved the Boultbee Flight Academy at Goodwood for the carriage of passengers in their Spitfires under the new SSAC criteria. Lots more info on the Boultbee website. Bread and water for a few weeks then :ok:

The price is absolutely absurd!

Supply & demand, I guess.
Shall I do a frozen ATPL or get myself Spit qualified? Hmm ;)

"the carriage of passengers"

Will they apply for an AOC..?

One day intro course - £5500+VAT! Nice work if you can get it.

Hmm, much as I would relish the experience, definitely beyond my budget :(

Looks like £2450 to me. £5500 is the full Intro Course thing. Doesn't seem too bad considering the cost of running those things.

I seem to recall that the upper weight limit for the passenger is 180 lbs. So in my case it would be water only - and for more than a few weeks :(

Not so it seems, but still a bit too low for me:{

WEIGHT LIMITS: 100kg (220lbs). (To fly aerobatics you must be less than 90kg (200lbs))

CharlieOneSix says:
"To fly aerobatics you must be less than 90kg (200lbs) "

Is this a/c restored to full operational standard? I doubt it. Surely, ammunition and fuel would have taken the all up weight well over this limit. It must be fragile. When I have five grand to blow, I will be passing on the aeros.

I very much doubt its even remotely 'fragile'. More likely a CG issue - too much weight too far back = poor spin recovery characteristics.

I have a friend, to whom I may never speak again, who is booked for the "long" course.

Downwind Lander,

FYI, I watched this aircraft being rebuilt at Thruxton over a period of 7 years. When it was finished, it looked as if it had come straight out of the factory. In fact it was better than a factory-built machine as it had had one-to-one TLC from day 1 by proud and extremely well qualified engineers. For example, it took just on 2 weeks just to ream the holes in the main spar attachments to ensure the pins were a proper fit.

Additionally, I flew this aircraft 3 weeks ago.
Apart from the rest of the care and preparation the aircraft always get - there are two, the G limits are restricted to +3 and - 2 to preserve the airframe. These are as well as other self-imposed limits on engine rpm/boost and Vne.
Yes, DL, you pass on the aeros. It's your loss. The aircraft is a dream and flies beautifully.

The problem with the passenger flights is you aren't allowed to use the controls, to do that you need to be on a training course that is far more expensive.

Sleeve Wing says:
"Yes, DL, you pass on the aeros. It's your loss. The aircraft is a dream and flies beautifully".


Maybe I should not be too hasty. No need to rush to judgment. Does the passenger sit in the front seat as per primary training? I had better remember to get a lottery ticket tonight.

Spitfire Flight
 

Is it possible to get a flight in a Spitfire at Duxford or is it just at Biggin Hill ? All that Duxford seems to advertise is going alongside one etc

I'm not sure about Duxford but you can get one here

Most Thrilling 50-minute Spitfire Flights over the English Channel

if you don't mind travelling to Goodwood

You certainly can fly in a Spitfire at Duxford. Contact Classic Wings and they will give you chapter and verse. They tend to fly on a Fri/Sat/Sun twice a month and they use the Biggin Hill Heritage Spitfire T9 MJ627. Enjoy!

Thanks VG wil do.

Spitfire flight
 

Just finished my Bucket list by flying in a 2 seat Spitfire at Duxford. It was a very professional operation but only lasts half an hour. Thoroughly recommended and you get to do a bit of straight and level with a few turns.

Go for it !