Flight in a P-51
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Flight in a P-51
I wish to fulfill a life-long ambition to have flight in a P-51. It's just got to be done!
Not being a pilot-type, it would have to be a TF-51, of course. Anyone know an organisation/company (presumably Stateside?) that provides such a service and how much it would cost?
Not being a pilot-type, it would have to be a TF-51, of course. Anyone know an organisation/company (presumably Stateside?) that provides such a service and how much it would cost?
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Stallion 51 at Kissimmee, Florida - costs more than a few bucks but if you Google them you should find out what you want to know.
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Actually, (almost) all civil P-51s have a buddy seat behind the pilot. A mite snug but just fine for a brief ride. (Mine was 40 years ago!)
It would be great to get a little stick time, but the surcharge might not be worth it...
It would be great to get a little stick time, but the surcharge might not be worth it...
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I asked Stallion 51 a few years ago about the costs of a trip in "Crazy Horse" - I was just curious.
The response - at the time - was $2,500 an hour (though there was some four to six hours of groundschool involved, too).
Don't know what this years charges will be. Doesn't really matter.
The response - at the time - was $2,500 an hour (though there was some four to six hours of groundschool involved, too).
Don't know what this years charges will be. Doesn't really matter.
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https://www.stallion51.com/flight_ops/flightops-orientation.cfm?axis_v=2
Doesn't give prices on the site though, so as suggested, you will need to email them.
What a treat that would be though!
DW
Doesn't give prices on the site though, so as suggested, you will need to email them.
What a treat that would be though!
DW
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Check this guys web site out. He has the video footage up of his Stallion51 experience: http://www.tf51d.com/
MP41 (if you happen to glance here) (or even M14P perhaps
)
Have a gawp at the aileron/barrel roll clip. A little sedate wouldn't you say
MP41 (if you happen to glance here) (or even M14P perhaps
)Have a gawp at the aileron/barrel roll clip. A little sedate wouldn't you say
Last edited by High Wing Drifter; 25th Jan 2006 at 15:28.
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Originally Posted by High Wing Drifter
Check this guys web site out. He has the video footage up of his Stallion51 experience: http://www.tf51d.com/
...
...
For lightplane pilots - note the turn after the pair of stalls. Bank angle over 45°, pulling close to 2 G's, but the nose is just creeping around the horizon indicating a very large turn radius. A P-51 needs a lot of sky!
Last edited by barit1; 25th Jan 2006 at 02:56.
Very professional operation at Kissimee.
They keep the planes in immaculate condition with inspections after every flight.
Would myself be hesitant to go up with anybody else in what is essentially a 60 year old airplane.
They keep the planes in immaculate condition with inspections after every flight.
Would myself be hesitant to go up with anybody else in what is essentially a 60 year old airplane.
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Thanks for the Steer, treadigraph.
I've been in contact with Stallion51 and the price is currently $2,950 for an hour and $2,150 for a half hour 'orientation flight'. May as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb!
Just got explain to She Who Must Be Obeyed that the funding for a house extension programme has undergone a Strategic Financial Review!
Making up the bed in the spare room too................
I've been in contact with Stallion51 and the price is currently $2,950 for an hour and $2,150 for a half hour 'orientation flight'. May as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb!
Just got explain to She Who Must Be Obeyed that the funding for a house extension programme has undergone a Strategic Financial Review!
Making up the bed in the spare room too................
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Enjoy it you lucky blighter!
Stallion's proprietor is reputed to have said to his son after divorce: "I've either got to sell the house or the Mustang. You can't live in a Mustang, but you sure as hell can't fly a house".
Stallion's proprietor is reputed to have said to his son after divorce: "I've either got to sell the house or the Mustang. You can't live in a Mustang, but you sure as hell can't fly a house".
stiletto psychopath mk4
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By coincidence, I've just got back from Kissimee, where I flew with Lee Lauderback in Mad Max last week. I can't recommend Stallion 51 enough. It's a fantastically professional outfit, and Lee is very careful to tailor each orientation flight to what you want to get out of it as well as your level of expertise (in my case absolutely no experience of aeros or stick and rudder - but now I'm eager for more ). Something like 38% of flights are repeat business, so, given the cost, he must be doing something right.
Forget the house extension - time to downsize to a caravan.
). Something like 38% of flights are repeat business, so, given the cost, he must be doing something right. Forget the house extension - time to downsize to a caravan.
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You can feel very comfortable in a Mustang when you are being shot at when you have almost 3,000 rounds of 0.50 cal in the bins and 6 HV rockets.
You can feel uncomfortable if the fuel tank just behind the cockpit is topped up with 75 gallons. It's longitudinally unstable. Might be nearly stable again when that space is you.
What say you 2 place Mustang pilots?
You can feel uncomfortable if the fuel tank just behind the cockpit is topped up with 75 gallons. It's longitudinally unstable. Might be nearly stable again when that space is you.
What say you 2 place Mustang pilots?
Silly Old Git
Bud Anderson still flying P-51 he must be 80 something .
Milt that be about your age? Ya reckon you could still pull yaself over the side into the cockpit?
Tin was offered a flying CA 51 with spares in 1973 for $75000
Milt that be about your age? Ya reckon you could still pull yaself over the side into the cockpit?
Tin was offered a flying CA 51 with spares in 1973 for $75000
Last edited by tinpis; 4th Feb 2006 at 21:54.
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Jim Morton bought a batch of them from RCAF about 1960 and rehabbed them at Midway airstrip, Elkhart, IN. FAA regs were in the N63xxT batch IIRC.
Most were pretty sorry when they arrived, but most became pretty nice after much cleanup & rework.
Most were pretty sorry when they arrived, but most became pretty nice after much cleanup & rework.
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It would take just about all my savings to fly a P-51. Reading what I have here, it seems worth it. I just worry I do not have the experience. Would it be a waste of money at the PPL level?