quote:

She's parked literally across the street from my house at French Valley Airport Wings & Rotors Air Museum.

They also have a Nice UH-1B done up as a HAL-3 bird.

A few months ago a F-86 put on a pretty good show out my back yard.

I've also seen B-17's, B-24's, P-51,s F4U's, and Spitfire's going in and out.

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Originally posted by sjtill:

quote:

She's parked literally across the street from my house at French Valley Airport Wings & Rotors Air Museum.

They also have a Nice UH-1B done up as a HAL-3 bird.

A few months ago a F-86 put on a pretty good show out my back yard.

I've also seen B-17's, B-24's, P-51,s F4U's, and Spitfire's going in and out.

Navyshooter, you need to give us a heads up next time there’s a show, so we San Diegans can head up there!

Meanwhile, I just found out that my co-Grandpa’s boss, in addition to running the business where my co-Grandpa works, owns 11 F-5’s that he hires out as aggressor squadrons for war games, presumably over in Nevada or Arizona. He gets them from other countries, fixes ‘em up, and rents ‘em out. Part of the deal is he gets to keep one of his own. How’s that for a “sound” investment?

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Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Who builds an airplane without a gun?

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Originally posted by navyshooter:

quote:

Originally posted by VictimNoMore:

quote:

Originally posted by navyshooter:

A few months ago a F-86 put on a pretty good show out my back yard.

I've also seen B-17's, B-24's, P-51,s F4U's, and Spitfire's going in and out.

I could watch that all damn day long.

I'm also under the flight path of USMC aircraft going between Camp Pendleton and 29 Palms

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Originally posted by bob ramberg:
I would imagine the cost to fly something like that has to be in the $30K - $50,000/hr range when you add in the cost of fuel, maintenance and engine rebuilds. Anyone know how many hours between rebuilds on something like this?

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Originally posted by TMats:
There’s an alternative. If you’ve got an extra $4,650,000 laying around you can buy a hardly used ‘86 MiG-29 Fulcrum.

For Sale—Cheap

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Originally posted by rsbolo:
Ok, so I buy the jet and rebuild the engines. What certifications do I need? Who checks me out in the aircraft? Can I just fly that bad boy VFR?

I suppose I could just YouTube the instructions like that SeaTac guy did....

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Originally posted by V-Tail:

Fly it VFR? Yes. A Type Rating can be issued with a VFR-only restriction. I believe that John Travolta's initial Type Rating, when he first got his Lear, was restricted to VFR only.

VFR would limit you to a maximum altitude of 17,999' and the fuel burn would be horrendous at low altitudes. But, if you can afford the maintenance, you can probably afford the fuel.

quote:

5-1580 ELIGIBILITY FOR AN AIRCRAFT AUTHORIZATION. Aircraft authorizations may be issued by either an EAE or an ASI (Operations) authorized by AFS‑830 and AFS‑610 (see the note under subparagraph 5‑1578B5). Once an experimental aircraft authorization is issued to an individual, it will be issued for an indefinite period of time without an expiration date.

NOTE: For subparagraphs A through E below, when certain circumstances exist where a candidate possesses appropriate and sufficient experience in a particular category (i.e., “powered lift” versus “airplane”) of aircraft, the EAE will coordinate with AFS‑830 and AFS‑610 for exceptions to criteria listed below for issuance of the requested pilot authorization.

A. Former Military Turbojet/Turboshaft‑Powered Aircraft. To be eligible for an authorization to act as PIC of a former military turbojet/turboshaft‑powered aircraft, an applicant must:

1) Possess at least a U.S. private pilot certificate with an appropriate category and class rating for the configuration of the aircraft;

2) Hold an instrument rating;

Indicates new/changed information.
3) Possess at least a valid U.S. third‑class medical certificate or equivalent (U.S. Military Flight Medical or U.S. driver’s license in accordance with the FAA BasicMed process (pilots using BasicMed may not exceed 250 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS)));

Indicates new/changed information.
4) Have logged a minimum of 500 hours of pilot flight time in the aircraft category and have completed the U.S. armed services qualification checkout described in this section; or have logged a minimum of 1,000 hours pilot flight time, including 500 hours as PIC in the aircraft category, and have completed the training requirements of this section; and

5) If the aircraft is capable of supersonic flight, have a minimum of 250 hours of pilot flight time as PIC of a fixed‑wing turbojet‑powered aircraft, in a Group V, VI, or VII aircraft (see Figure 5‑173), or present proof of completion of a U.S. military qualification in a supersonic turbojet‑powered aircraft.