Spitfire Experence
Discussion
I am a lover of Cars Planes Boats and anything with an engine (Petrol head), but I dream of flying in a spitfire and now there is a company that can fulfil that dream, here and in America, now if you are rich you wouldn't bat an eyelid at the price From £2700, now in my opinion this is a bargain really 20 min flight in a spit and possibly have a small go in flying it (Pilots Discretion)but over 2.5k is still a lot of money for an average Joe I have my 50th coming up and can afford the price and it will not leave me skint by any means buuuuut it is a lot of money to part with in one go !!
what are your thoughts ?
what are your thoughts ?
ecsrobin said:
As far as I'm aware your unlikely to get any stick time. If you have the money do it, if you can afford the longer trip do that.
That's also my understanding - never mind "pilot's discretion", even with a licence you will not be given control, although that doesn't stop you telling the whole pub that you were 
There is a much more expensive option which iirc will gain you your licence and will allow you to take control. If you can find the other thread I think it was all in there.
Yup, unlikely to get any stick time here in the UK.
If stick time is what you are after, then Stallion-51 in Florida will give you stick time in a P-51D Mustang.
With lower op costs in the USA, even with flights and hotel etc., it will likely cost about the same as the Spit flight here in the UK.
If stick time is what you are after, then Stallion-51 in Florida will give you stick time in a P-51D Mustang.
With lower op costs in the USA, even with flights and hotel etc., it will likely cost about the same as the Spit flight here in the UK.
CAPP0 said:
ecsrobin said:
As far as I'm aware your unlikely to get any stick time. If you have the money do it, if you can afford the longer trip do that.
That's also my understanding - never mind "pilot's discretion", even with a licence you will not be given control, although that doesn't stop you telling the whole pub that you were There is a much more expensive option which iirc will gain you your licence and will allow you to take control. If you can find the other thread I think it was all in there.
If you want the full conversion for the minimum time required its £54,375.00+VAT and you need 1000+ hours and numerous conversion courses prior to that.
ecsrobin said:
For £6000+VAT you can do a 2 day introduction course if you are a current PPL SEP holder with medical which will allow you to fly it.
If you want the full conversion for the minimum time required its £54,375.00+VAT and you need 1000+ hours and numerous conversion courses prior to that.
If you want the full conversion for the minimum time required its £54,375.00+VAT and you need 1000+ hours and numerous conversion courses prior to that.
I did it about 10 years ago, including some stick time, albeit just doing general manoeuvres (the pilot did some aeros).
It was not cheap (though thankfully, it was a present), but for anybody with an interest in history or aviation, it was an incredible experience and one I don't think you'll regret.
It was not cheap (though thankfully, it was a present), but for anybody with an interest in history or aviation, it was an incredible experience and one I don't think you'll regret.
I've done Boultbee's Spitfire intro course and from the moment the wheels were up she was all mine to play with. If you've got the cash, I don't think you'd ever regret spanking it on flying a Spit:
http://www.bushflyingdiaries.com/2014/06/spitfire-...
http://www.bushflyingdiaries.com/2014/06/spitfire-...
Mr_B said:
PH members need not apply 
Restrictions - Minimum age 18 Years old. You may need to provide photographic ID Passport/driving license
Maximum Height 6ft 6 inches (198cm), no minimum height.
Maximum weight 230 lb, 105Kg You will be weighed and measured on the day
The growth in popularity of Spitfire experiences stands to create a (possible!) headache. The ops aspects, the regulatory and commercial aspect.. job done. The issue is going to be making sure that the increase in flying hours and frequency of landings are going to be mirrored by a suitable servicing and maintenance regime. Don't expect that throaty Merlin roar either.
This, from Monday.
This, from Monday.
Ginge R said:
The growth in popularity of Spitfire experiences stands to create a (possible!) headache. The ops aspects, the regulatory and commercial aspect.. job done. The issue is going to be making sure that the increase in flying hours and frequency of landings are going to be mirrored by a suitable servicing and maintenance regime. Don't expect that throaty Merlin roar either.
Most items are serviced by the flying hour anyway, and historic aircraft tend to spend so much time on the ground that an increase in flying hours might actually be good for them.The operators obviously feel it's worthwhile offering these flights.
Simpo Two said:
Are you suggesting that Merlin flying hours will quickly expire and something modern used instead?
They can build repro Spitfires and Hurricanes, and even steam engines - is building a 'new' Merlin so impossible?
It can certainly be done, but I know from the time I spent with BBMF that spares are increasingly hard to come by - even repro ones.They can build repro Spitfires and Hurricanes, and even steam engines - is building a 'new' Merlin so impossible?
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