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Stu
17 Jul 02, 01:32 AM
How would you fancy walking off the street and straight into the front seat of a World War two Fighter/Trainer aircraft. Not only sit in the front seat but take control of the aircraft and fly it yourself including aerobatics.

Well I was looking for something different for our last holiday and I found #WarBird Adventures (http://www.warbirdadventures.com/)
http://www.warbirdadventures.com/img2.gif

I booked my place via email before I left the UK.
When the day arrived I made my way to Kissimmee airport, where I met up with John my pilot for the day.
He showed me around the T6 Texan/Havard fighter aircraft, we did all the pre checks then john fitted Still cameras to the tail and one of the wings then loaded the cockpit video.
I climbed into the front seat and John explained the parachute and the bailout proceedures (not what you want to hear before a flight . )
soon we were taxing down to the end of the runway, the video was switched on and was recording my every move and all the radio talk between John and I and John and the tower.

We revved the engine at the end of the runway and tested all the controls, john soon got clearence from the tower and we were hurtling down the runway at what seemed break neck speed.
We were soon in the air and at about 100ft john handed me the controls - talk about being nervous, john was very calm and talked me through every move.
We headed out to the designated aerobatic airspace, we arrived their in about 10 minutes. I wasn't bothered I was just enjoying being in control of this beast.

Once we got to the airspce, john took control again and showed me some basic barel rolls, wow that makes you see the world in a different light!!
Right I have the controls back now and I'm soon doing the same barel rolls, wow!!
We then move on to more advanced turns, rolls, Loops and Cobras, I could have stayed here all day, but I only had half an hour. Time was up and we headed back to the airport. John took the controls at the last moment to land.

This is an amazing experience, it makes all those rollercoasters look like playground seesaws. It's amazing that you can walk straight off the street and be in control of an aircraft within minutes.
At the end of the flight I was presented with a Video Tape (UK compatable) of the whole experience also I was given the roll of film from the Still Camera for me to have developed.
It's not the cheapest of attractions, but then it's not your everyday attraction.

That's me in the front seat...
http://www.thedibb.co.uk/stu/pics/wbird1.jpg

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/stu/pics/wbird2.jpg

Amazing-Grace
17 Jul 02, 08:02 AM
<span style='font-size:13pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:red'>SAY CHEESE!!</span></span> .

mapman
17 Jul 02, 09:31 AM
Looks wicked !
Makes Boggy Creek look a bit tame . . &nbsp;.

chunkster20uk
17 Jul 02, 09:50 AM
I just went around the museum bit and the workshop, it was very good, can definitely recommend doing this. It only takes 1-2 hours so you can do it on the way back from Boggy Creek another must.

FreightDog
14 Jul 04, 09:10 AM
Holy Cow!
I was doing a search on the former company I worked for and here I am.....that's me in the back seat. :)
I am glad you enjoyed your time in the T-6. I worked for the company for two years before returning to Californina and I miss it terribly.

-John

jetskidia
14 Jul 04, 11:03 AM
i'm defo gonna do that on my next trip !!

Stu
14 Jul 04, 11:12 AM
Originally posted by FreightDog
Holy Cow!
I was doing a search on the former company I worked for and here I am.....that's me in the back seat. :)
I am glad you enjoyed your time in the T-6. I worked for the company for two years before returning to Californina and I miss it terribly.

-John

Hi John,
It was probably the best part of my holiday that year, I keep meaning to do it again. I can see how you would miss it, what a fantastic job that must have been for you.

I quite liked the idea of flying the Mustangs that were next door, but the price was a little steep for me.

Nice to hear from you.

Alvin
17 Jul 04, 02:55 PM
Hey Stu

I recently experienced the Warbird flight for the first time and it was the most awesome thing Ive ever done. I agree that it makes the Coasters look really tame.
I was lucky because my parents paid for thirty minutes and he brought me back after fifteen by mistake, so I got to go up a second time and had nearly fifty minutes flight time for the cost of thirty!!. It was extra cool when we met up with the second T6 in mid air and were flying along litterally ten feet apart, SCARY!!!!! It looks great on the video as well.

I cant recommend this place highly enough if you are looking for someting a bit different on your holiday.

Steve