Biplane Trip
 

I have been given a sum of money for my 60th and really want to go for a trip in a biplane. I have had a look online and there are some good options but I would appreciate it if any of you have any advice, contacts, top tips etc. I am looking to have a cracking time and if possible take the controls for a while. I am based in East Anglia but willing to travel anywhere in the country.

The sum of money is not enough for anything Spitfire related :)

Thanks all

Does the aircraft have to be Gay? 🤔

Not fully, bi will do.

Duxford have Tiger Moths available for training and pleasure flights and they would be able to discuss anything specific you'd like to do - sightseeing, aerobatics, formation etc. Or if you feel really brave you could go on a tour of London in their Dragon Rapide.

The Tiger Moth is a lovely nostagia trip, but Stampe and Jungman are rather more exciting for throwing around if you are the sort of flyer with a stronger constitution. They're just less available for hire unless you know the owner, Some places will give you a go in a Pitts Special for a specially dizzying experience, but reading between the lines I doubt that's what you're after.

Flight Experiences at Shuttleworth

I’ve got time in Tiger Moths and Stearmans. Fly something other than a Tiger if you can.

However, if you are a pilot, flying a Tiger is a graphic demonstration of form drag. A tip based on personal experience - lower the nose before you close the throttle! ;)

PS Anything with four wings and an open cockpit is a wonderful experience.

My wife did this, if you would consider riding on, rather than in, a Stearman.

Go Wingwalking - UK Wingwalking Experiences

Now that looks like fun!

Fck that!! I am sure I would soil myself.

If you are East Anglia based then best bet has to be a Tiger Moth flight with Classic Wings at Duxford.

Fly Vintage at Shuttleworth does trial flights, but if you given them a call, you may well be able to book a longer lesson. Fly Vintage | CFG-Website (also linked to in post #4)

There are still a couple of places offering flight experiences in a Stearman. Compton Abbas used to do them but I'm not sure if they do them now. A couple of years ago my daughter tried wing walking on a Stearman at Henstridge but they were not based there as far as I know. The Stearman is the easier to fly from my experience.

Tiger Flights at Eshott in Northumberland offer Tiger Moth flights (unsurprisingly!), but I suppose there might be more convenient operators if you're in East Anglia...:O

https://www.tigerflights.co.uk/

The Tiger Club, now at the former RAF Hornchurch location, near Upminster, may be a good option: https://tigerclub.co.uk/contact

As mentioned earlier, Cambridge Flying Group at Old Warden. Two Tiger Moths, one an actual warbird in that it went to France with the BEF. I flew with them during 2024. They are a very good bunch and the aeroplanes are in great condition. Plus, you can visit the Shutteworth Collection while you are there.

Tiger Club is based at Damyns Hall aerodrome, which is not the site of the former RAF Hornchurch, the former site of which is part country park and part housing estate, about 2 miles to the north-west of Damyns Hall aerodrome.

Here you go, you can even do the Dambuster's dams up near Sheffield, though I would call the club as it will probably be cheaper than an "event " host.

Ultimate Dambuster Flight Experience Over Derwent Dams

even aerobatics in a stampe.

Biplane Aerobatics Experience from Shoreham Airport

I used to do trial lessons and tailwheel conversions in a Stearman - it is a far nicer aircraft to fly and aerobat than a Tiger Moth, and the radial engine brings something that you probably haven't experienced before. A Bücker Jungmann is nice if you want slightly more interesting aeros than in a Stearman and I suspect a Stampe might also be fun but I haven't flown one. For some reason I always wanted to fly a Focke-Wulf Stieglitz but didn't get the opportunity.
Overall, my advice is to go for a Stearman as first choice and to avoid the poor old Tiger Moth. Mr Google seems to know of several being used for trial flights, so you should be able to find one fairly easily. Report back.

Edit: I forgot about the Pitts, and I suggest you do too. It's very nimble but IME not a particularly charismatic aircraft to fly, and very different to the other types mentioned.

Finest Hour also offer Tiger Moth Flights out of Great Yarmouth Heliport. However, I agree that the Stearman is a much better experience than De Havilland's finest. The Tiger is great if you are already a pilot, easy to fly, difficult to fly well and you very quickly learn what the rudder is for! Otherwise draughty and slow.

I too would put the Stearman at the top of the list (if you can find one). After that Stampe (less drafty than a Tiger and better controls), Jungman, maybe Pitts S2 or Christen Eagle. If you want a classic then the Tiger is fine but wrap up well!

The Pitts is really only good for aerobatics. Small, loud, uncomfortable, poor visibility. It's the best airplane to fly, the worst to fly in. The Eagle is a little better. The Stearman sounds like a good choice. I've only had one flight in one, but was surprised at how nimble it was.