Warbird Adventures

Adventure of a Lifetime

Maybe you've always dreamed of flying an airplane. You've always wondered what it would be like to take the controls and see if you've got the right stuff. Now it's possible, and without all those expensive flight lessons! Book at flight at Warbird Adventures and you'll find yourself at the controls, sitting in the front seat and actually flying a vintage aircraft. This is truly an adventure of a lifetime!

Not Just a Ride... It's An Experience!

Warbird Adventures emphasize that they don't just offer a ride in a vintage airplane, they offer the experience of actually flying the aircraft. That's right! This is a one-hundred-percent hands-on experience. You'll be in the front seat and at the controls. You will perform all the maneuvers yourself under an instructor's careful guidance.

Each flying experience is tailored to the customer, whether that be a smooth sightseeing flight or a thrilling aerobatic adventure. If you're willing and choose the add-on option, Warbird Adventures will teach you any (or all) of many aerobatic maneuvers — Aileron rolls, loops, barrel rolls, Immelmans, Cuban 8's, reverse Cuban 8's, wingovers, cloverleaf and hesitation 4-point, 8-point & 16-point rolls. (Considering I'm a "white knuckle" flyer, simply writing about these maneuvers makes my stomach feel queasy.)

No matter which option you choose, you will be flying in the premier fighter-trainer of World War II, the North American T-6 TEXAN, also known as the SNJ or Harvard. History was made in these aircraft as over 70% of the Allied pilots trained in them, giving them the legendary "Pilot Maker" moniker.

Flight Details

There are three flights available:

• A 15 Minute Warbird Flight ($220) allows you to pilot the vintage "Pilot Maker" from the front seat. You'll actually spend 20-25 minutes inside the aircraft, including warm up and taxi time. Optional upgrades include a 3-camera DVD ($50) and 35 mm still pictures ($25) of your flight.
• 30 Minute Warbid Flight ($390) includes 35-40 minutes in the aircraft, including warm up and taxi times. Under the supervision of an experienced instructor, you will actually pilot the "Pilot Maker" from the front seat. Upgrades available include the "aerobatic" upgrade ($35), a 3-camera DVD ($50) and 35 mm still pictures ($25) of your flight.
• 60 Minute Warbird Flight ($670) is the best Warbird experience. A full hour of piloting the "Pilot Maker" from its front seat also includes the "aerobatic" upgrade. You will soar, spin and dip your way through the skies over Central Florida under the supervision of the flight instructor. And, to record your own private air show, the cameras will be running if you would like to add the 3-camera DVD ($50) and 35 mm still pictures ($25) option.

Warbird Adventures is located at Kissimmee Gateway Airport, 233 N. Hoagland Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL. That's in Central Florida, just minutes from all the major attractions. Warbird Adventures flies seven days a week from 09:00 to 17:00 daily (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), except for Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years Day. Reservations are not required, but recommended. Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

These Warbird Adventures FAQs will give you an idea of exactly what to expect once you have made your reservation.

And, on a final note, while there is certainly some element of risk, over 30,000 satisfied customers have flown with Warbird Adventures. I'm guessing that's a pretty good safety record, so if you've ever dreamed of flying an airplane perhaps now is the time to make that dream come true!