Washington DC Area:
- Lancaster/Philadelphia areas, Lititz, PA
- Winston Salem, NC
Also Available In These Regions:
Participants: Experience for 1 plus instructor pilot
Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours with 1 flight mission of approximately 1 hour
Essential Information: Participants cannot be taller than 6'7" and must weigh less than 250 pounds; no flight experience or pilot's license are necessary
What to Wear: Comfortable attire for the day's outdoor weather and rubber soled shoes; upon arrival, participant will be suited up in a flight suit, parachute & helmet
Weather: Provider will determine if the weather is not suitable for flying
Spectators: May attend pre-mission brief and post-mission debriefs, if space is available; once participants have launched their flights, they will be too far away and too high an altitude to see them
A Great Gift Idea For:
Anniversary Gifts
Christmas Gifts
Wedding Gifts
Birthday Gifts
Graduation Gifts
Retirement Gifts
Fathers Day Gifts
Engagement Gifts
For Him
For Her
For Business Associates
Availability:
Select dates per location per year
2013 Schedule (subject to change):
Lancaster PA
Apr 13 - 15
Aug 2 - 4
Winston-Salem
Nov 8 - 10
Start times at 7 am, 8:30 am, 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4 pm
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. How safe is It?
A. The provider is absolutely committed to safety. Their aircraft are maintained in strict accordance with Federal Air Regulations and our instructors, both military and civilian, have enviable credentials. Most are former military pilots from the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps., several are graduates of Red Flag and the Navy Fighter Weapons School. The military rules of engagement establish safe minimum altitudes and distances between the Aircrafts throughout the maneuvers. Their proven training techniques will put you at ease at the controls and give you the confidence to execute even the most complex air combat maneuvers for an amazing flying adventure.
Q. Will I suffer motion sickness while engaging in air combat?
A. Based on experience, less than 10% of guest pilots suffer from motion sickness. We attribute this low rate to the fact that you are in control of the aircraft. You are far less likely to become ill while in control than as a passenger. Secondly, you will be taught to focus on your opponent at all times; not the horizon. This will not only ensure you get the kill, it will provide a more stable reference point. Nonetheless, this is your experience. Should at any time during the flight, you begin to feel uncomfortable, simply lighten up on the controls and tell your instructor. He will do what he can to make your flying adventure more enjoyable.
Q. Is there an age requirement?
A. Our youngest ever "pilot" was Katrina Mumaw, who flew her first mission at age eight, and the oldest, a great-grandmother named Helen W. In general, 90% of the adventure flying customers are either armchair fighter pilots who dream of such an experience, or adventure seekers who are continually stretching the edges of the envelope
Q. Do I need any flying experience?
A. Most customers do not have a pilot's license, and many have never flown in a single-engine aircraft. Any advantage a pilot may have over a non-pilot is soon neutralized when they take the stick of the Marchetti and engage in aerial dogfights and other flying adventures.
Q. Can I do this? Will I have fun?
A. Absolutely! Second only to safety is the pledge for you to have FUN! FUN! FUN! It is a flying experience you will talk about and remember forever. Everyone can do it. During your flying adventure, you will be continually coached by your instructor pilot to ensure a successful mission, and you will walk away with a unique sense of achievement that will be difficult to top.
Q. Can I log the time in my pilot logbook?
A. It is best to refer you to the Federal Aviation Regulations, Section 61.51. In layman's terms, you may log flight experience in your logbook. However, if it is to be counted toward a specific rating or certificate it must be endorsed by an authorized flight instructor defined as a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor). Some of our instructor pilots have their CFI rating and may endorse the time. Otherwise the entry is for your own reference only.
Q. What can I read to prepare for what I will be doing?
A. The best reference guide for fighter combat maneuvers is called FIGHTER COMBAT Tactics and Maneuvering, by Robert L. Shaw. It is published by Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD and is available at Amazon.com.
Comments from our Customers:
Had a great time, the pilot was very good and helpful. He made the whole thing very enjoyable.
Reviewed By: Dave F.
Coppell, TX
Amazing experience. Took a day for me to realize that it really happened and it was not a dream.
Reviewed By: Louis S.
NY, NY
My instructor/pilot was great. The only part of me that didn't have a fantastic time was my stomach, but still worth every minute. Thanks
Reviewed By: Dick G.
Riverside, IL
From beginning to end, i was treated well. Fantastic crew and service
Reviewed By: Keith M.
Napa, CA
Wanted to let everyone know what a great time my son Ryan and I had last friday at Marshfield, ma. Please let Bluto, Pigmy and Squirt know we enjoyed meeting them and even more so flying with them. Ryan and I have a new found respect for fighter pilots and what they can do with an aircraft. Ryan and I will be back again next year if not sooner! Please tell Pigmy that Fitz said hello and would like to fly with him again....he's a great teacher.. has the patience of a saint. If you want to use a 65 year old father and a 31 year old son as an endorsement please do so...we'd recommend it not only as the thrill of a lifetime but also giving insight as to what all fighter pilots give protecting our country. Hope you all stay well and all stay safe.
Reviewed By: Rich and Ryan F.
Marshfield MA
MY FLIGHT WAS THE MOST EXCITING ADVENTURE I HAVE EVER HAD!If I had a "BucketList" it would be #1. Snoop was my pilot, great guy, and my instructor was Bluto... had fun with them both. We did YOYO's and to celebrate the flight's end we did a complete victory roll which was awesome. I had a full crew in attendance, husband, sister, mom, daughter, 2 grandchildren, my nephew from San Francisco and 2 friends from Las Vegas. WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL!
Reviewed By: Marny B.
OR
Far and away the most EXHILARATING experience ever!! Safe, professional, and patient...worth every cent. This was my gift to me for turning 55, see you when I'm 60 !!
Reviewed By: M. L.
Salt Lake City, UT
To sum it up... "An invaluable and unforgettable experience". My 20 years of flying and 5 years of flight instructing could not have prepared me for the exhilaration I experienced on my flight. I must admit I was nervous about the flight, not about the flying part, but with the prospect of getting "Shot Down" by my adversary who just happened to be a long time friend and my very first flight student. Imagine the ribbing I would take, a 3000-hour CFII shot down by his own student, a 100-hour private pilot. Our instructors, Rodeo and Robert, did a fantastic job of making the day fun and memorable. I have a newfound respect for what military fighter pilots must endure. As you can imagine, I have been playing the video for everyone back at my home airport, they're all very impressed. I am recommending this experience to all of my students. By the way, the score after 6 engagements, 3 to 3 (needless to say we're already making plans for the rematch!).
Reviewed By: S. A.
Gabreski Field NY
WOW! What can I say? My Husband, Ian, and myself just had the most incredible time with your wonderful program. Ian was signed up for the fighter lead in program. I came along to watch. It was very fortunate for me that there was an empty seat on Ian's first flight. I jumped at the chance of going up and now I am hooked! Everyone I dealt with was so friendly and helpful. The people I spoke to at Fullerton went the extra mile so things would work out smoothly for us. The pilots we met on the day were superb. Hollywood, Hoover and Rodeo really helped to make our day special. I flew with Rodeo. He was patient with me and very encouraging. Rodeo made me feel comfortable and confident. He suggested doing a lag roll and an aileron roll. It was just amazing to see the ground above my head and know that I was the one controlling the plane. I have watched the video of the flight many times already. Rodeo obviously put thought into which shots were best. He moved one of the cameras several times, so we could see the other plane. The video is a wonderful reminder of a fantastic day. I am now trying to work out how I can fly with you again. This experience will be on every birthday and Christmas gift list from now on. Please pass on our appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Rodeo, Hollywood and Hoover. I would love to fly with them again. What great guys!
Reviewed By: M. P.
Fullerton CA
This is the first testimonial I've written, and after our experience, I just feel compelled to write this note, partly to thank you all for the wonderful time we had, and partly to kind of share the experience from my perspective. As you might expect, safety was a concern for me when I made the decision for my son and I to participate in the Phase I program. After reading about the pilots' experience, and then seeing the clean, and apparently well-maintained planes and facility, I began to feel pretty good about the decision to mix it up with Casey over Long Beach. After talking to the pilots and attending the pre-flight briefing, I had pretty much written off any concerns I may have had. They presented a very professional image, and easy mannerism that really made me comfortable with what I was about to do. As for the flight, in a word "wow!" No, I mean WOW! Talk about sensory overload; I woke up this morning still trying to find solutions to get at Casey's six, and trying to figure out what the plane was doing during certain segments of the "engagements". :o) Phase I seems to be a well designed program for beginners like me and Casey. They started us out with some shallow turns to practice gunsight tracking, and then moved on to practice controlling closure rate with yo-yo's. After that, the fight was on! The difficulty of maintaining a situational awareness with the high closure rates, the g's, and the rapidly changing attitudes of the aircraft, impressed upon me how skillful these pilots are. (Oh, they must also be hate going to work.) But seriously, Rocket, and Spartan were excellent, and completely at ease with all this. With Rocket's coaching, during the last couple of engagements, I actually started to feel somewhat competent. It was just tons of fun, and Casey and I both enjoyed it tremendously. My son is 12 and painfully shy, I think he only spoke 3 or 4 times during the entire flight. Spartan, I was still giving feeble answers to his questions at 12:30 this morning when we finally decided we could actually get some sleep. :o) It was a great experience for the both of us, and hopefully, he'll be inspired by realizing he can do things that may at first seem to be out of reach. I have to add, watching him approach me at well over 300mph, then pitch the plane up into a vertical attitude, and then within only a few seconds, see the nose of his plane over my left shoulder impresses me still. I'll get him next time. :o) Thanks again!
Reviewed By: Guy and Casey S.
Long Beach CA
This adventure was fascinating. The adrenaline hasn't worn off yet and it has already been 48 hours.... ;-) Joker and Nails are the best. Very professional and at the same time treating you as a 'crew member'. I'd take them as my wing men any time ;-) Thanks for a GREAT time - I'll be back ! Cheers
Reviewed By: M.
I would like to thank you all for a very memorable week of excellent and challenging flying. In particular my thanks and gratitude goes to the Pilots, in no particular order, Joker, Bluto, Gasm, Mac, MadDog and Nails. It was a great honor to fly with such professional, highly skilled, and talented pilots - I felt as though I was amongst a rare few. I learnt a lot about flying, air combat and I'm hungry for more, some how..! I also appreciate the hours of technical and administrative toil and support that goes on in the background to keep the organization running efficiently and effectively, I appreciate that the support team keeps it all running, thanks guys...! I watched all the videos, several times over, did we really get into some of those positions? No wonder I was shattered at the end of phase 3.... People are getting sick of my "and there I was on his 6" briefings, but hey you had to be there and I was; thanks to you guys - Top Gun's 'Best of the Best', Flying Pipers and Cessnas will never be the same again. I hope to re visit the squadron again, I don't want it to be a once in a life time experience, however if it is, it will be near the top of my life's achievements.
Reviewed By: C.W.
That was the best time I have had in 25 years. The last time I felt that much of a rush was when I was in Navy ROTC and was taken up in a jet at Whidbey MA. The pilots are great guys and it was fun to be able to do the maneuvers by having them help us as we were going. It was also fun with the partial clouds out yesterday and going in and out of them. Looking forward to doing again.We are talking about getting together to do again next year! Great Time had by all 4 of us! Thanks!
Reviewed By: Pete P.
August 25th of this year will long be remembered as one of the most exciting days of my life. I can't explain how pleased and thrilled I was during my two excursions in the Marchetti and the Extra 300L out of Boeing Field in Seattle. The exhilaration I felt in realizing a long desire to fly in a dogfight was beyond words. I am a retired Lt. Colonel in the USAF. I missed attaining a position in the flying world with the Air Force and had to be satisfied with a private ticket, instead. To realize a goal of flying in a dogfight and doing maneuvers in a high performance aircraft was something I will never forget. My wife made a gift that will last a lifetime and to whom I shall be forever grateful. You, also, made it happen...few companies (it seems) actually do and accomplish what they say they will do. Air Combat accomplished all they stated and much more. A big Thank You to "Boot", Screech", "Mac" and "Disney" for all their instruction, discussion and "hanger talk" they provided that made the day more special.
Reviewed By:
Corbin
Seattle WA
What a hoot! From take off to landing was incredible.Six days later and I still feel the adrenalin rush. Thirty seven years ago I flew in army helo's [there are no G's] in both combat and non-combat scenarios but I had not felt the sensations in the "dogfights". It was an honor and a privilege to fly with Lawrence "WORM" Elmore. His patience,understanding,encouragement and instruction made me feel I was a naval aviator and a real fighter driver. The idle chit-chat ,brief and debrief by Dave "Bluto" Woltz made me feel as if I was in a squadron room. Thank you much for making an old vet feel useful again. Where do I "reup"? Thanks again!
Reviewed By: F.B.
I just finished a very exciting day with "Worm". He was my "mentor in the air" yesterday over Lancaster, PA, in my dogfights with Tom from Allentown. I'm 63, raised 7 children, had 3 heart attacks, open heart surgery, and never yet experienced anything quite so exciting, fantastic, and satisfying. Worm was fantastic - experienced, patient, and fast to become a good friend and teacher. He was clearly doing what he loves to do. I really admire what those guys do. It was clearly one of the best days I've ever had, and I thank you for putting together that experience.
Reviewed By: DL
Laytonsville MD
On behalf of Rolf, Heintz and myself, we would like to thank you for the greatest adventure of our life. At least it was the greatest adventure for Heintz and I. Rolf enjoyed the experience, but it was a little more excitement than his body was ready for. I was very impressed with the professionalism and safety of your operation.You did a great job of making our dog fights appear to be a strictly fun adventure. However, as a pilot I recognized you, Bones and Mad Dog kept your focus on safety so we could focus on having fun. Heintz and I are already talking about a rematch next year.
Reviewed By:
A.M.
