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Off Topics > How to ride in a F-18 as a civilian?

volare
Veteran
Location: Cincinnati Area

Does anyone know what kind of hoops you have to jump through to get a ride in a fighter jet? Whom do you have to know? I've seen MIG rides advertised before, but I'm talking about a modern American jet like the F-18.

Please don't tell me it can't be done. I'm sure it's not easy, but I know it's not impossible.

12-17-2006 Over year old.

Sealerman
Veteran
Location: Long Island, New York.

Quote
Does anyone know what kind of hoops you have to jump through to get a ride in a fighter jet? Who do you have to know? I've seen MIG rides advertised before, but I'm talking about a modern American jet like the F-18.

I don't know maybe you can become a Naval aviator?

Quote
Please don't tell me it can't be done. I'm sure it's not easy, but I know it's not impossible.

Go for it.

12-17-2006 Over year old.

volare
Veteran
Location: Cincinnati Area

The title says as a civilian.

12-17-2006 Over year old.

PaulJC
Elite Veteran
Location: Hertfordshire UK

I'm not sure about an f18 but IIRC there is a company in the south of france that offers fighter jet rides, F1 car rides and a few other xtreme experiences.

Welcome to RR village a tight knit community of geeks & gossips.

12-17-2006 Over year old.

Wildcat Fuels
rrAdvertiser
Location: Lexington, Ky

L-29 Good enough?

I give rides for the cost of fuel. www.jerrythejet.com as for the F-18 you pretty much have to be a celebrity or a reporter. It always comes down to what benifit it has for the military...no good press, publicity, .... no ride.

Jerry

12-17-2006 Over year old.

gixxer6
Heliman
Location: Clinton Twp. Mi.

Here are some MIG flight packages.

http://www.flymig.com/packages/special.offer.htm

http://www.flymig.com/packages/

12-17-2006 Over year old.

Dave Yost
rrAdvertiser
Location: San Diego Ca, USA

Mig 29 is about as close as your going to get, but you will have to go to Russia to do it.

I think there is a civilian T-38 out of Burbank.

Stand by with your pocket book!

Dave

MA Fury Extreme,Vibe 50, JR 9303,YS,Vblades, Don't blame me, I voted for Jimmy Buffet!

12-17-2006 Over year old.

volare
Veteran
Location: Cincinnati Area

Thanks for the good info so far. Dash your post was quite informative.

12-17-2006 Over year old.

Rotor
Key Veteran
Location: USA

Dash,
How come it takes 10,000 feet altitude to do a loop in a T-38?
Thanks....

My motto is this..Fly...Rebuild...Fly

12-17-2006 Over year old.

1badmanx
Heliman
Location: Milford, CT.

You can also have a buddy who is a squadron commander of super hornets!!
Bruce

Apache....You can run from it, But you will only die tired!

12-17-2006 Over year old.

Rotor
Key Veteran
Location: USA

Thanks Dash....

My motto is this..Fly...Rebuild...Fly

12-17-2006 Over year old.

Hughes500Pilot
Key Veteran
Location: Anaheim, CA

Retire after 35 years in the California Highway Patrol as chief. Then have the govener of California give you a special retirement gift - an hour long ride in an F-18...

This is what happened to my uncle when he retired.

Or, you can contact Lieutenant Commander Garrett Kasper. He is the Public Affairs Officer for the Blue Angels. If anyone could arrange it, he could.

-Steve

12-17-2006 Over year old.

Raptor3DPilot
Key Veteran
Location: Heading to Afganistan for 4 months

I received a ride in an F-15E over the florida everglades... it was a blast! I don't remember much of it though... I guess it was all the excitement. I didn't get a max climb though because I guess I got bumped above the crewchief of the acft... and the "accidentally" forgot to lock out the tank bags and CFTs. I didn't know I bumped him down...but oh well it was a blast! I hope I can get another one before I get out in 2008. It's doubtful, but I've worked my butt of trying to earn another one.

I've also had a ride in a HH-60! It was part of an exercise and I was acting as a downed pilot. We flew 1 1/2 hours north of Las Vegas and midnight and they dropped us off in the middle of nowhere. It was pretty wild... I had to call in an airstrike on a SAM site and an F-15E came over and dropped flares (simulating bombs) then I had to turn on my infared beacon and the next thing I know there's a huge helicopter hovering right infront of me! It was crazy... the sand was hitting the rotor blades and caused a red ring of sparks... looks like they were sporting some night blades! It was a totally different experience than I expected though because I thought I would have the "elevator" feeling when we gained and loss altitude...but it didn't feel like that. I'll definitely volunteer for that one again!

Yeah a lil O/T... but it sure was a blast!

Airplanes are for guys with one dumb thumb...

12-17-2006 Over year old.

Wildcat Fuels
rrAdvertiser
Location: Lexington, Ky

Volare,

Heli V2 is right about the F-18. I have begged and tried to figure out how to get a ride for years and unless your some idiot actress with blonde hair or the equivelent type actor it is pretty hopeless. I mean I love American Chopper but really, the Air Force gave two of them rides in an F-16....why....it was great advertising....young guys watch them build motorcycles and they get to see the ultimate thrill ride! Sign them up. They L-29 I fly is not as powerfull as the DH-112 Venom I used to fly but it is more econaomical, easier to maintain, and can do actually more. The Venom would do Mach .85 but 300 or 600 looks the same to me at altitude. Its the maneuvering not the speed thats the fun. You can still put someone to sleep in the L-29 if thats your mission. It will pull +7.5 G, but why would you want to. Most flights I pull 4-5. I will say the Turbo Jet makes a great sound, and the 29 is a blast to fly.

12-17-2006 Over year old.

Eco8_Kid
Senior Heliman
Location: NJ

Raptor3DPilot,

Why didn't you get an elevator feeling?

Mark

12-17-2006 Over year old.

bleesweb
Senior Heliman
Location: Dutchess County, NY

I was a flight deck troubleshooter for an F/A-18C squadron (VFA-82) and the closet I got was a ride in a T-34. Pics in my gallery.

12-17-2006 Over year old.

Professor Fate
Key Veteran
Location: Goose Creek S.C.

May not be a FA18 but a bud owns four(two flying two in waiting to be rebuilt) F104's he'd be happy to give you a ride! Just watch your lunch.

Welcome my son, Welcome to the machine

12-18-2006 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

George Matthews
Elite Veteran
Location: N.W. Ohio

Jerry that is a great deal!
A ride in a jet for the cost of fuel is unheard of.
How's about a half a ride as I would love to make a skydive from your L-29