Florida Warbird experience

I’m off there in four weeks, trying to convince ‘er indoors that it will be money well spent. 😀

I did the T6 flight over in Carlsbad, California a couple of years ago…..what can I say…………..stunning:D

Did all the usual aerobatic stuff, even attacked a passing Cessna with a combat break….gun button linked to sound effects in my headset.

My missus got this picture during take off, but missed the victory roll over the airfield on my return coz she was nattering….

http://www.airliners.net/photo/North-American-AT-6C/0873858/L/

I had quite a lot of hands on too.

Worth every single penny twice over…and I smiled for a week afterwards too..:eek:

I’m off there in four weeks, trying to convince ‘er indoors that it will be money well spent. 😀

Bell chopper

I’m pretty sure Warbird Adventures have sold their Bell helicopter, although it’s worth checking their own website. I think that they now just operate the SNJ’s.

They have ploughed a lot of money into their new facilities over the last three years and I believe the sale of the Bell went towards this.

They do have a rebuilt Focke Wulf 190 Dora 9 on site which should be well worth seeing.

I see that WA has a Bell 47 (in bad faux-MASH paint).

While I haven’t flown with them, I can recommend a Bell 47 flight…especially if it has dual controls.
Every aviation fan should experience a helicopter (it seems so easy at altitude, but just try to hover!) and the Bell is historic since the type was the world’s first commercial helicopter.

I’m booked in for September & they said i could have a look around the mustangs and the P38, Can’t wait

I went up in the T6 at Kissimee a few years back now, loved it…
Lots of hands on and some nice aerobatics.
Only thing that worried me while I was up, was the amount of alligators sitting in the lagoons below!!!

Flying the Harvard

I did a one hour flight with Chuck G, back in May 2005. It’s a wonderful experience, flying in a genuine WW2 trainer. Because of cloud and turbulence I chickened out on the aerobatics, apart from a 360 roll and a lazy 8, (Mr Gardener was willing to go through the whole programme).

Check out Youtube videos to see what these pilots and their aircraft can REALLY do. I loved it and wish that I could have another go. Prices and options are tailored to what you want. I would thoroughly recommend it. Do it while you are there ’cause you don’t know when you’ll get another chance.

P.S I didn’t know that you could back seat in a P-51 either here or in Florida, how fantastic must that be! I can’t run to the price of a flight in the U.K SNJ at present, but I would be interested to know whether they run the same ‘souvenir’ DVD option as Warbird Adventures?

I had an hour ($650)with Chuck Gardner in 2006, fulfilled a lifetime dream. They do “what it says on the tin” and it’s a great experience.

Then go half a mile away and look at Stallion 51 – or invest a few thousand $ for an even bigger experience

Enjoy – you’re only here once

Why wait until the summer ?- try Mike Victor for size….

www.warbirdexperiences.co.uk 🙂

TT

Just go over to Wixs put up an question for Chuck Gardnier and let him tell you all about it since he is one of the T-6 Pilots.

Been to Central Fl twice in the last three years on family hols, and briefly visited the Warbird Adventure facility at Kissimmee Gateway Airport – very friendly people, pristine aircraft – unfortunately our schedule didn’t allow me to take a flight 😡 . Stallion 51 are based nearby on same airport.

When preparing for the trip a couple of other forumites did tell me that WA really do live up to their publicity, and flights are really good.

Stallion 51 P51 flights were a little beyond my pocket 🙁 . Maybe one day…..

While in the area, I strongly recommend taking a trip down I-4 to Polk City to see Kermit Weeks’ Fantasy of Flight collection. FofF is about an hour south west of central Orlando/Kissimmee, and well sign-posted from I-4.

Paul F

Did a trip in a Harvard in Kissimmee many years ago. It was great – my first warbird flight.

Then I went to Key west and flew a Pitts Special.. now THAT was awesome!

Not done either in Florida but have done both in the UK. Both are great fun but the Mustang really is incredible, very smooth and graceful.