Preserving Military Jet Fighters

[jyl]

Interesting article.

The slowly fading art of flying

I wonder if, as military aircraft become more complex, and their pilots fewer in number, eventually there will be no privately owned warbirds actually flying. For example, is there a privately owned, flying F14? Could there ever be a privately owned, flying F35?

[scottmandue]

Great read...
However if you look at the cost to own/fly the F-4 Phantom, fuel cost tens of thousands dollars for one flight plus hundreds if not millions dollar for maintenance.

Just imagine what it would cost to fly/maintain a F-18!

Plus as the guy in the article states even the F-4 is so complicated to fly very few people a qualified to do so.

Perhaps tech is making new(er) fighter jets easy(er) to fly? Dunno about that.

[flipper35]

The F4 is a fuel hog. Kind of like your old 460 powered sedan compared to now. Similar power but so much better in the new ones.

I don't know why anyone would want to fly an F35 as a civilian. For pure thrills a Viper would be cheaper, faster, more maneuverable and far less complex.

[porsche4life]

I'd think the only people qualified to fly something like an f35 would be the retired guys. But like Scott mentioned I'd think the cost would scare just about everyone away from it!

[Seahawk]

There are a lot of Eastern Bloc jets for sale as well as an assortment of NATO stuff:

ex-Military/Warbird for Sale in United States at GlobalPlaneSearch.com

More modern jets (even the F-14 is old) are very, very expensive to fly let alone maintain. I do like the MIG 29 in the link above

[flipper35]

The Fulcrum would be a blast but they are pretty short legged so I would think it would have a pretty high fuel bill as well.

Not sure the lotto winner could fly many of these for very long but they would make a great seat for a flight sim.

[Dantilla]

Can't go supersonic, so the relative economy of an L-39 over an F4 or F35 makes sense for the civilian market.

Perhaps if one lived close to the ocean, one could fly out to international waters and go supersonic.
After doing that a few times, the novelty, and adrenaline, would probably cease.

[Dantilla]

Personally. I'd beg the guys at Davis-Monthon to sell me a T-38. What a hoot that would be.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Personally I'd rather buy an Extra EA300. Bags and bags of fun. And way cheaper (not "cheap", but cheaper).

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Personally. I'd beg the guys at Davis-Monthon to sell me a T-38. What a hoot that would be.

Yup. The engines are small enough a couple guys could manhandle them as well.

[Arizona_928]

On gsa they have black hawks, and a few others.

[HardDrive]

Oddly, if I had the money to buy a fighter jet, I would much rather own my own 747.

[Jrboulder]

I guess Budd Davisson and I are the only 2 people who think a T-37 would be cool plane to have.

[Reiver]

Early Migs are cheap to own and maintain (relatively) due to the build and level of maint. expected on the airfield. Mig 17 would be sweet.

[Noah930]

Privateer SR-71. Go big, or go home!

[rfuerst911sc]

I don't ever see an F22 or F35 being in private hands they are just too expensive and complex. Even with Bill Gates money I highly doubt it.

[gamin]

Would love to have an A-10. Awsome aircraft. Would be very expensive to own. Rich men's toys.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Great article. Most modern combat aircraft are maintained by a large team of specialists, and it is common for them to spend more time undergoing maintenance/repairs than actual flight time. That would be VERY hard to duplicate for a civilian, even a rich one.

[unclebilly]

Do you have any idea how much fuel a single 30 minute joy ride would use? What about the maintenance?

Way cheaper to fly to Moscow and rent a MIG. They were doing this at Sheremetyevo last time I was there.

11500 euros for a 25 minute flight
13500 euros for a 45 minute flight with supersonic
16500 euros for an edge of space flight...

Edge of Space Flight Program
The MiG-29 Edge of Space flight includes controlling the jet - a unique possibility you get with all MiGFlug jet fighter flights. The Edge of Space flight program includes these manouvres:

Breaking the Sound Barrier and fly at supersonic speed
Climb to the max altitude at nearly Mach 2*
Rolls
Immelman
Loopings
Split-S
Accelerated vertical climbing
Vertical dive
Curves
Tail-Slide
High speed low level flying over the runway - your spectators will be very impressed!
*Thanks to a thrust/weight ratio of 1.09 - the MiG-29 gains speed during vertical climbing!

Included in the Edge of Space flight experience in the MiG-29 is everything except the airline flight to Nizhny Novgorod (an hour from Moscow), hotel and Visa. But with our specialist you won't feel anything of the hassle involved - she's here to help getting the best, custom-tailored travel package.

We book and organize whatever you want, or help you booking everything the right way if you do it on your own. On the day of the flight, you'll be picked up in the hotel lobby by a charming interpreter and an own driver. The Edge of Space flight package includes:

Transfer hotel - airbase - hotel
Medical checkup prior to the flight
Introduction and flight training
around 50min total flight time
Flight certificate with altitude and G-load
Visit to airbase museum
First class MiGFlug service
Optional HD video (edited) and photo service

[atcjorg]

an a4 would be a lot cheaper to operate and are a hoot to fly, kick the tires and light the fire!