Fly in a Spitfire location?

[Nicol@]

Has anyone had a flight?

My dad wants to book one but doesn't know which location would give the best experience (and will allow more than three spectators).

Thanks,

[SlipStream77]

I was chatting to a friend yesterday who had a Spitfire flight at Duxford, he highly recommended it.

http://www.classic-wings.co.uk/res_website.asp?sup...

[Nicol@]

Thanks,

Do you know if they allow passenger pilots to touch the controls?

[ecsrobin]

Nicol@ said:

Thanks,

Do you know if they allow passenger pilots to touch the controls?

The licensing doesn't allow you to fly it as far as I'm aware. There are also quite strict rules on weight.

As for the best place I'd say Boultbee out of Goodwood flying over the channel or Solent.

[Mutley]

OP, where does your dad live? Might help advice.

I would say Boultbee at Goodwood are the best, south coast-white cliffs etc, but Duxford have a 2 seater, and i think Biggin does (please correct meiof thats untrue) I don't know where else might do 2 seater spitfire flights

[Nicol@]

I only said touch the controls, not fly... Lol.

My dad is East London/Essex so all of the options are easy (we know of Goodwood, Biggin Hill, Headcorn and Duxford). Not keen on the spectator limitations at Biggin Hill.

[Itsallicanafford]

We organised my Dad a flight from Biggin hill earlier in the year. It was very good, the heritage hanger also had 3 or 4 more Spitfires which were been renovated which was interesting to watch, although I think they could improve their on ground facilities.

I think the flight was about 40 minutes long, maybe upto an hour when factoring in taking off etc. they did 2 victory rolls and he got to 'fly' for a short while. You leave with onboard gopro footage.

He was very nervous before but the lady pilot put him right at ease and he ended up loving the whole experience.

[ecsrobin]

Nicol@ said:

I only said touch the controls, not fly... Lol.

My dad is East London/Essex so all of the options are easy (we know of Goodwood, Biggin Hill, Headcorn and Duxford). Not keen on the spectator limitations at Biggin Hill.

Sorry touching the controls to me is having a go. Yes I'm sure all the spitfire places will let him hold there stick before or after flight.

Goodwood you can have unlimited spectators and once he's disappeared they can watch the action on the circuit. Bear in mind it is weather dependant. A friend came down from Sheffield stayed the night only for the weather to put a stop to it.

However it was rearranged a month or so later and he had a cracking time.

[Mr_B]

I've seen them at Duxford and they had a photographer and the guy in the back seat seemed to have his friends and family up in the control tower viewing. They did just take off and come back approx 30 mins later by came straight into land . Even from the ground I was hoping for a low pass, but sadly not . Maybe you can request that or at least ask ?
If I were in the back seat I think I'd be opting for Goodwood.

[Nicol@]

Thanks so far.

[HoHoHo]

I was told by someone (can't remember who, sorry!) the Goodwood experience started at Goodwood and then ended at Duxford and you made your own way home.

Not sure if that's true but worth investigating.

[ecsrobin]

HoHoHo said:

I was told by someone (can't remember who, sorry!) the Goodwood experience started at Goodwood and then ended at Duxford and you made your own way home.

Not sure if that's true but worth investigating.

Not true.

[essayer]

£3k!

[baldy1926]

essayer said:

£3k!

Its 3k at Biggin Hill as well

[PanzerCommander]

Those old warbirds cost a lot to operate, this is one of those times where £3k sounds reasonable.

[DamienB]

Also available at Sywell, and I would be amazed if there is any operator that *wouldn't* let you try actually flying it yourself. That's the whole bloody point of the flight!

[Nicol@]

DamienB said:

Also available at Sywell, and I would be amazed if there is any operator that *wouldn't* let you try actually flying it yourself. That's the whole bloody point of the flight!

Oh yes I forgot it is at Sywell too.
That's the easiest for me to get to (but I'm just a spectator).

[ecsrobin]

DamienB said:

Also available at Sywell, and I would be amazed if there is any operator that *wouldn't* let you try actually flying it yourself. That's the whole bloody point of the flight!

on one of the sites it specifically states you will not be allowed control of the aircraft. It's an experience flight not a flying lesson.

[DamienB]

I suggest you avoid them like the plague then!

[Mr_B]

Try Stallion 51 in the US if you want to actually fly a warbird in the shape of a P51 Mustang. Never touched the controls before ? No problem, they'll still get you to do as much flying as possible. Quite a different approach Stateside.