I got to fly a T-6 Texan through combat maneuvers

[The Boston Dangler]

now that is something i envy.

he started walking me through advanced flight maneuvers like 'Level flying' and 'Gentle turns'.

 

[BUTCH1]

Was he someone you knew or just someone who happened to be there at the same time? I'd love to know how much it actually costs. Cheaper is always better but nothing in aviation is "cheap", particularly things that I'd consider once in a lifetime like that. I'm sure the prices fluctuate for a variety of reasons but I've always seen them north of $2000 for an hour. I couldn't find the prices I remember seeing last year, they were on some review site, the ones I posted were from some what to do in Orlando page. Was just the first ones I saw, but yes they do seem high from everything else I've seen over the years.

If I had more money than sense I'd fly down there, get trained and checked out in the P51 by Lee Lauderback, and then go out and buy my own for $1.5-2 million or so. Yes they really do cost that much.
I need to start playing the lottery... only way my aviation and exotic car dreams will come true lol.

Yea, but you would have to be FAA certified in one to fly it, IIRC you can't just get a license on a Cessna which has a max speed around 150MPH and then just start flying a P-51 which has a max speed of 437 MPH. Then there's the maintenance and hanger costs plus mandatory engine re-builds after a set amount of hours, yep, one lotto winner needed!. They had a Texan for sale on "Pawn Stars" so Rick called his retired pilot buddy to take it up, it flew well, the guy wanted 185K for it, Rick almost had it for 150K but the dude said he'd be taking a big loss at that price so it fell through.

 

[Exterous]

it says this person moved or deleted the photo. I don't even see the still photo, just that message.

might be because they are listed as jpgs and not video files?

using firefox - same thing happens in chrome also

You should open a Helpdesk ticket then


Try these direct links:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/exterous/media/Taxi.mp4.html
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/exterous/media/Combos.mp4.html
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/exterous/media/Immelmann.mp4.html
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/exterous/media/Cuban.mp4.html

 

[Fenixgoon]

that looks like fun!

 

[mikeford]

Few things beat flying, for the $$$ challenged a simulator (full motion) can be fun for much less money.

 

[EliteRetard]

I got to ride in an F-14 once, and the USS Michigan BEFORE it was converted to cruise missiles.

Yeah, largest nuclear sub in the US (third in the world). Yeah I got to kick the nukes (well sort of :ninja. It was definitely cooler than the F-14.

 

[pontifex]

You should open a Helpdesk ticket then


Try these direct links:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/exterous/media/Taxi.mp4.html
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/exterous/media/Combos.mp4.html
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/exterous/media/Immelmann.mp4.html
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/exterous/media/Cuban.mp4.html

I am the help desk at home, haha!

Thanks for the links, that was awesome! Would love to do that myself some time but doubt it will happen.

 

[Exterous]

Was he someone you knew or just someone who happened to be there at the same time? I'd love to know how much it actually costs. Cheaper is always better but nothing in aviation is "cheap", particularly things that I'd consider once in a lifetime like that. I'm sure the prices fluctuate for a variety of reasons but I've always seen them north of $2000 for an hour. I couldn't find the prices I remember seeing last year, they were on some review site, the ones I posted were from some what to do in Orlando page. Was just the first ones I saw, but yes they do seem high from everything else I've seen over the years.

Welp I was wrong. He paid $3k for the flight

 

[cabri]

I got to ride in an F-14 once, and the USS Michigan BEFORE it was converted to cruise missiles.

Yeah, largest nuclear sub in the US (third in the world). Yeah I got to kick the nukes (well sort of :ninja. It was definitely cooler than the F-14.

Launch/recovery from carrier or ground?

 

[Mutilator]

Welp I was wrong. He paid $3k for the flight

Thanks for finding out. Being that it's one of those once in a lifetime opportunities I'd say it's still worth it. Definitely not for everyone, but I know it's an experience I'd never forget.

 

[skyking]

Very cool and good on ya for posting your experience
They got you through a lot in one hour, I am impressed.

 

[EliteRetard]

Launch/recovery from carrier or ground?

Ground.
Suppose doing it off a carrier would have boosted the awesome factor some.
I have been on several carriers, but no flights to/from.