Warbird Information Exchange

What, who and where can someone get a ride? .... and let me streamline that a bit .... where in California on almost any given day or weekend?

What do you think is a reasonable rate from folks who do not own a warbird? ... What would you be willing to pay?

The Collings Foundation TP-51C with a full back seat is available. Here is the current schedule :



Don't know if any of these are close to you.

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

Try Planes of Fame at Chino, or several private ones at Hollister. I am not sure of prices out there, but at Lakeland the CAF did 51 rides at $950 for about 20 min. It's an add on dual control, so you get to fly some in the air. For full instruction, even video, and full dual control Stallion 51, I believe is $2350 per half hour, and $3900 per hour. There are a number of very fine and experienced pilots out there, the Chino guys, Dan Martin, etc. Most 51s have a back seat, but a lot don' t have a stick in back. To me it is worth the extra $$ to get to fly if you have the choice.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Weren't you just in Chino last weekend where they probably gave 20 Mustang rides? The Mustang ride booth was right next to the P-59.

Mark,

The Planes of Fame charges $715 for a P-51 warbird orientation flight.

Wayne

Yes I was, but I didn't have time for much. I'm just asking what the folks here on WIX think would be reasonable. And what the going rate possibly would be in their minds. I see the rate has gone up a lot over the years. But I understand why. BTW I wasn't looking for a ride. I'd rather do that when all the dust settles. The POF airshow was far too busy for me to try to get a ride in anything. I can wait. Funny ... I have never really been up in any warbird. I've sat in a few. That's fine with me.

Mark,

Are you wanting to ride or get some stick time?

Steve G

Theres all kinds of stuff on the Internet

Hellcat, put that mouse down and go get that ride. Go in some warbird or sport plane, anything that's fun. You might get a half hour in a T_6 for $375, or 15 min in a bomber for a little more. Or a Stearman maybe a $200. I think it is a benefit to be able fly some, but get in the air some way.
Whats it worth? As much as you can afford. Let's take a look at the top end like Crazy Horse or the Collings dual P-51. First they made the investment to buy or restore a plane worth at least a $million maybe twice that. They take care of the maintenance, they take care of the insurance. They worry about the weather, and all the logistics like motels on the road, getting fuel and getting oil that most FBOs don't stock.They have to have a top pilot who deals with fitting a fighter into the traffic flow with everything from the G5 making his 20 mile staight- in IFR approach on a clear day, to the Cessna at 70 who needs the mile long final, to bleed off 10 mph. And frequently a controller who thinks he is being paid by the word. Above all, the the pilot has someone's life in his hands, perhaps even someone who has never been in a small plane, and he is trying to make it fun as well as safe, and not make anyone sick. The passenger may be too frightened to touch the controls, or too excited for you to hear the radio, and all levels in between. It's hot in a Mustang cockpit t low level and there's no bathroom and no stewardess. After an hour your ears ring, to go with the sunburn.

And all the rider has to do is show up with money, to experience a part of history. Whos knows how long these will be available?

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

POF holds a raffle at their monthly flying events for a free Mustang ride to a member. Join up and make the trip once a month and you may get lucky (for a Mustang ride that is)!

http://www.planesoffame.org/calendar.php

When I first started hanging around at Chino, Mustang rides wee about $150. It won't be getting any cheaper and anything more than actual cost (if in fact there is anything left) goes to support the museum.

I fly all the time, just haven't been in a Mustang yet. But I'll do it one of these days. Just hasn't been high on my list of things to do. To be honest, I'm not a "rider" type. I'd rather fly it solo. So you can see why I'm not really in a hurry to go up in a Mustang. But my point in this thread was because I have a client who is very interested in a ride and he has done a lot of internet searching and has come up with many offers for rides with varrying amounts. I was just wondering what some you you guys thought was a reasonable amount. I also completely understand everything that goes into offering rides as Bill states, but I would also have to say that Mustang owners wouldn't be giving rides if they weren't getting a good financial return. I personally think I would be willing to offer $1,000.00 for a ride, but anything over that would probably not interest me. That's just me though. PS, a Globe Swift is a lot of fun to fly too.

Thanks for the link as I been wanting to join the museum....

Lynn

Hellcat, I am not too sure what a "Gobe Swift" is, perhaps that is the short range, domestic only, version of a Globe Swift? Gotcha there. Seriously it is pretty easy to talk oneself out of a Mustang or any other warbird ride of that type if you focus on price. What does it matter is the Mustang pilot is making a profit? In fact, if they are only charging $1000 they aren't making much. Sure you can do a short ride rather than an hour, but you've still got a start up cycle, a takeoff, climb, gear cycle, landing, etc. The wear and tear is not so much from a few minutes of slow cruise, it is the other parts. I think they are mostly having fun flying and hoping to cover some of the costs.
I have flown a Swift, very nice ailerons, my first ever roll was in one. I thought about buying one a s my first airplane but could not find one in my price range that was good. I looked at 2, one with poor brakes and one "just out of annual", but with no sign off in the log books. So I bought a Mooney.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

... I'm not sure what a "Gobe Swift" is either, you sure your eyes aren't fooling you a bit? ...





... It is pretty easy to talk oneself out of buying a Swift if you focus on price. ...

BTW .... I'm a pilot, not a passenger, I'm sure many pilots here know what I mean. But like I said, probably some day I'll take a ride just to say I did it, but I probably won't get as excited as most. I rarely fly with anyone or take anyone flying with me, I like being a solo guy, something about it is ..... heavenly ....

Helcat:
I went up in Spam Can at Chino this year Friday before the show. I joined the museum for a family for 1 year(60.00). The ride was $7.15 for 15 min. We were up for about 25 min and it was the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
I flew 3 years ago with John Hinton in Wee Willy and just had to do it again.
BTW I live in Massachusetts.

Dick Bryant