Spitfire ride for my mother
Discussion
Hi All,
My mum's 89, fit and well and very active, still drives, no major issues at all.
However, the pandemic and a few other things have been a but burdensome on her and got her a bit down in the dumps recently.
She used to have a private pilots license, was a stewardess with british eagle (originally on DC-3's I think), her first husband was a mosquito pilot in the war, my father was in the RAF and worked for 30 years with BA during their hey-day. Plus she's flown with friends on their light aircraft many times when younger.
So....I'd like to do something to lift her spirits - and I know she's always loved spitfires.
Does anyone here have any knowledge of any of the 2 seater spitfire rides you can do?
Are they a good experience, reliable, well organised and so forth?
Secondly - I live in Farnborough, Hants (on the flightpath, so have enjoyed having all the aircraft for the show next week over us), so is there one relatively nearby that would be recommended. I guess up to a 50 or so mile radius would be perfect (Blackbushe, Fairoaks, Popham and many others are nearby) - but if we have to go further for the "right" spitfire & experience, we will.
Any recomendations, opinions, options all most appreciated.
Many thanks
Matt
My mum's 89, fit and well and very active, still drives, no major issues at all.
However, the pandemic and a few other things have been a but burdensome on her and got her a bit down in the dumps recently.
She used to have a private pilots license, was a stewardess with british eagle (originally on DC-3's I think), her first husband was a mosquito pilot in the war, my father was in the RAF and worked for 30 years with BA during their hey-day. Plus she's flown with friends on their light aircraft many times when younger.
So....I'd like to do something to lift her spirits - and I know she's always loved spitfires.
Does anyone here have any knowledge of any of the 2 seater spitfire rides you can do?
Are they a good experience, reliable, well organised and so forth?
Secondly - I live in Farnborough, Hants (on the flightpath, so have enjoyed having all the aircraft for the show next week over us), so is there one relatively nearby that would be recommended. I guess up to a 50 or so mile radius would be perfect (Blackbushe, Fairoaks, Popham and many others are nearby) - but if we have to go further for the "right" spitfire & experience, we will.
Any recomendations, opinions, options all most appreciated.
Many thanks
Matt
They do them from Duxford all the time - with a following plane if you'd like that too.
We looked at previously but they're not cheap experiences c £4.5k from memory - we couldn't find a problem with age per se - but from a mobility perspective there's a minimum she'd need to be able to do re getting out if necessary.
They look great (from the ground, they fly over our head during the weekend) - I presume, but don't know, that they travel and are available from various airfields.
We know a couple of people who have done them - well organised and a very special experience.
Sorry i can't recommend anywhere closer - nice idea.
We looked at previously but they're not cheap experiences c £4.5k from memory - we couldn't find a problem with age per se - but from a mobility perspective there's a minimum she'd need to be able to do re getting out if necessary.
They look great (from the ground, they fly over our head during the weekend) - I presume, but don't know, that they travel and are available from various airfields.
We know a couple of people who have done them - well organised and a very special experience.
Sorry i can't recommend anywhere closer - nice idea.
Thanks both. Yes, very aware it will not be cheap - the above is ballpark where I was expecting.
Looking at the goodwood lot's site, I see they fly from both Goodwood & Lee on Solent. Lee on Solent could be interesting too - the 35 or 45 minute isle of wight flight perhaps - or maybe the goodwood needles one.
Anyway, thank you both. I'll let you know if we do it and how it goes.
Looking at the goodwood lot's site, I see they fly from both Goodwood & Lee on Solent. Lee on Solent could be interesting too - the 35 or 45 minute isle of wight flight perhaps - or maybe the goodwood needles one.
Anyway, thank you both. I'll let you know if we do it and how it goes.
Can recommend what was boultbee and now spitfires.com. An ex colleague works there, but also a friend did a flight last month so went up to watch them, they’re churning out the flights back to back and multiple aircraft but it certainly felt like a very personal experience and you get to fly it.
They bounce between Goodwood and Lee on Solent which are both local to you I’d say Goodwood is better for the spectators and Lee better for the access to the needles if it’s sight seeing she’s after.
They bounce between Goodwood and Lee on Solent which are both local to you I’d say Goodwood is better for the spectators and Lee better for the access to the needles if it’s sight seeing she’s after.
I have flown in one from Biggin Hill. Absolutely unforgettable experience. Also went in the chase plane for a friend who flew one before he succumbed to Cancer.
It was about 5k from memory but doing a couple of victory rolls and taking control of a Spit was truly awesome.
Video of my flight is here https://youtu.be/ZSi4Qd4ASEA
It was about 5k from memory but doing a couple of victory rolls and taking control of a Spit was truly awesome.
Video of my flight is here https://youtu.be/ZSi4Qd4ASEA
We paid for my FIL to fly with the (then) Boultbee Academy from Goodwood. Long story short, absolutely brilliant outfit, and it’s very nicely done from Goodwood with great spectator facilities too. Be aware of the dates you fly, as during the winter ( and certain Goodwood events) they fly out of Daedalus due to the hard runway. Cost was £3k for 30 minutes. Makes sure you pay extra for the 360 deg video option.
Arnold Cunningham said:
Arnold Cunningham said:
(on the flightpath, so have enjoyed having all the aircraft for the show next week over us)
Just had an F-15 and a pair of F-35's come in over us. Interesting how the F-35 comes in slow and nose up even on a long runway where it's not necessary.I heard it but didn't get to poke my head out of the window in time to identify it.
I always like the airshow - even though they don't do the public displays any more, it's still a nice reminder of all the amazing innovations & engineering that happened here. I wish our house could tell a story - it will have seen it all!
I always like the airshow - even though they don't do the public displays any more, it's still a nice reminder of all the amazing innovations & engineering that happened here. I wish our house could tell a story - it will have seen it all!
Edited by Arnold Cunningham on Friday 15th July 16:18
Sixpackpert said:
I have flown in one from Biggin Hill. Absolutely unforgettable experience. Also went in the chase plane for a friend who flew one before he succumbed to Cancer.
It was about 5k from memory but doing a couple of victory rolls and taking control of a Spit was truly awesome.
Video of my flight is here https://youtu.be/ZSi4Qd4ASEA
Same in May 2019 experience of a lifetime, even if it was only a few minutes of stick time. I think if you have a It was about 5k from memory but doing a couple of victory rolls and taking control of a Spit was truly awesome.
Video of my flight is here https://youtu.be/ZSi4Qd4ASEA
a PPL they may alow more time and control, I just had keeep it level and a couple of shallow bank turns.
They also give you a bail out drill, they are after antique planes and things could go wrong.
Arnold Cunningham said:
Oh Lord! I've just seen you can do a Harvard fly alongside for an extra 499. Have always liked the Harvard. 
Dad did a Harvard flight from Goodwood just after the first revival (98). He (dad) had raced in that meeting, so the pilot (it wasn’t Ray Hanna!) got special permission to do a (significantly higher) pass along the start/finish straight. He loved it!Had I got the cash (I don’t) I’d be buying him a spitfire flight.
Hope your mum enjoys it, sounds like she’s had a very interesting life!
Yeah, 3.5K seems to be the start point of a good flight on the spit. TBH, I can’t really afford it either. But you only have one mother and I hate seeing her down in the dumps like this. I can be sure a flight on the spit would be a “most talked about thing”.
She taught me to do the spark plugs, points and oil on my first car, a 1978 mini clubman. She’s had a go at most things in her life.
She taught me to do the spark plugs, points and oil on my first car, a 1978 mini clubman. She’s had a go at most things in her life.
Edited by Arnold Cunningham on Saturday 16th July 17:26
Arnold Cunningham said:
Yeah, 3.5K seems to be the start point of a good flight on the spit. TBH, I can really afford it either. But you only have one mother and I hate seeing her down in the dumps like this. I can be sure a flight on the spit would be a “most talked about thing”.
She taught me to do the spark plugs, points and oil on my first car, a 1978 mini clubman. She’s had a go at most things in her life.
She sounds great - I'm sure she'll love it.She taught me to do the spark plugs, points and oil on my first car, a 1978 mini clubman. She’s had a go at most things in her life.
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