Fighter jet experience

[LeroyLoser]

Any recommendations?

My wife mentioned what a great experience it would be ages ago, so shes getting one

Found this on first look but i know nothing about planes, any thoughts?

https://migflug.com/flights-prices/l-39-albatros-i...

[williamp]

A lot cheaper: take a small Cessna up. Fly into controlled airspace. Ignore all radio requests, head towards London. You'll soon get very close to a Fighter jet and be able to get some great air-air photos.

As for those flying experiences. A part of me would love to. A bigger part of me knows they are complex, expensive to maintain. They went wrong a lot when new and there was a Government to fund them. Now, with older parts, and perhaps a lack of knowledge, and a need to make profit, well I'm surprised they don't fall out of the sky regularly.

[Tony1963]

LeroyLoser said:

https://migflug.com/flights-prices/l-39-albatros-i...

That’s not a fighter

[towser44]

There's one of those based in Blackpool and they are looking to do experiences according to this article. He's always up and about flying it.

https://www.flyer.co.uk/blackpool-welcomes-l-39-je...

[Yertis]

A chap I once worked with paid to go to Russia and fly in (IIRC) a MiG 31. Or some other high powered jet of that late-90s era. Proper fighter anyway. He was exhilarated and terrified in equal measure. I do remember thinking "bugger that" when he told me all about it, and even he said "never again".

[Eric Mc]

What's the difference between a "fighter jet" and a "jet fighter"? The former seems to be beloved of the media who know little about aeroplanes.

The media seems to think that any jet aeroplane that shoots guns, fires cannons or missiles or drops bombs is a "fighter jet".

The L-39 Albatros is a two seat jet trainer although, like many such trainers, some versions can be fitted with hard points to carry bombs, rockets or fuel tanks. It was the former Eastern Bloc's equivalent of the BAe Hawk.

[Magnum 475]

Eric Mc said:

It was the former Eastern Bloc's equivalent of the BAe Hawk.

And that will make it more than enough for anyone who's never experienced anything of that nature before.

I did a few hours in a Strikemaster a few years back, which is very tame by modern fighter standards. That aircraft's limits were way ahead of mine - the most extreme thing I'd flown up to that point was an Extra 300S. The Extra can pull more G, but things just happened a lot faster in the Strikemaster.

[Eric Mc]

Not debating that - but call the aeroplane what it is, a fast jet trainer.

[eltawater]

Send her wing walking instead They're pretty awesome to watch so I expect she'll have a great time strapped to one

https://www.gowingwalking.com/

[768]

Eric Mc said:

What's the difference between a "fighter jet" and a "jet fighter"? The former seems to be beloved of the media who know little about aeroplanes.

Salty.

My brain isn't giving me the answer, but didn't someone, somewhere, take or maybe just propose to, the Hawk as a frontline jet fighter jet? I'm sure someone did.

[Eric Mc]

A single seat version was built (Matchbox even released a kit of it). It had limited sales compared to the two seat trainer version.

The RAF used a version of the two seater as a ground attack trainer and for a short while, the Red Arrows Hawks could be fitted with Sidewinder air to air missiles as a stop-gap, short range interceptor.

Hawk 200





Hawk from RAF 2 Tactical Weapons Unit early 1980s -

[LeroyLoser]

I’ll rephrase, a jet plane thats fast enough to pull horrific Gs and scare the pants off her

Dont mind flying somewhere tbh, we can have a break to, usa seems to have some good ones inc. dog fight stuff & getting into usa isnt a problem for us, i’m cautious about eastern european offerings i must admit.

Dont think uk is best, looking at europe or further afield as we’re based in central europe.

[Eric Mc]

Why do you want to scare her?

[eccles]

Eric Mc said:

The RAF used a version of the two seater as a ground attack trainer and for a short while, the Red Arrows Hawks could be fitted with Sidewinder air to air missiles as a stop-gap, short range interceptor.

From memory, when all the Hawks were upgraded to T1A standard in the mid 80's it meant they had the wiring fitted to carry Sidewinders. If the wing came off for any reason they tended to fit the wiring then instead of a dedicated modification program.

[Eric Mc]

I know there were some pictures released of Red Arrow Hawks carrying the Sidewinders but a Google search couldn't find any.

[Ian-27xza]

I had my first flight in a Jet Provost 5 when I was 19. Part of a 3 ship tail chasing just a couple of months before they were retired....

It blew me away at the time and I can remember than experience vividly.

If you get the opportunity to fly in a jet, take it whilst you can. Life is not a rehearsal.....

[Joey Ramone]

Beware...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/14/man-...

[Emeye]

Eric Mc said:

I know there were some pictures released of Red Arrow Hawks carrying the Sidewinders but a Google search couldn't find any.

Not close enough? https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/hawk-t1/

[ARFBY]

eltawater said:

Send her wing walking instead They're pretty awesome to watch so I expect she'll have a great time strapped to one

https://www.gowingwalking.com/

I'd quite like to have a go at "wing walking"; Not "wing standing in one place" but actually walking on a wing (with a parachute of course)

[heisthegaffer]

768 said:

Eric Mc said:

What's the difference between a "fighter jet" and a "jet fighter"? The former seems to be beloved of the media who know little about aeroplanes.

Salty.

My brain isn't giving me the answer, but didn't someone, somewhere, take or maybe just propose to, the Hawk as a frontline jet fighter jet? I'm sure someone did.

I recall reading (on PH I recall) that under extreme circumstances such as all out war, a phantom would go into battle with 2 Hawks carrying missiles and they would somehow tap into the Phantom's superior radar etc. Not sure if it ever got past planning stage or not.