Planning MiG 29UB flight at Nizhny Novograd.

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Member for

14 years 1 month

Posts: 73

Hi all,

In August 2012, I am planning to embark on the flight adventure of my lifetime....a MiG29UB flight out of Nizhny Novograd.
But before I appeal to members of this board to provide answers to a few of my questions.
Firstly, is this legitimate. It appears appears so but I want to be sure because of the very high cost involved. See www.jetdiscovery.com/package_details.html

Then I have enquired about the Top Gun package. I will be 68 but am in the shape of a late fourties man so I hope to qualify for an aggressive programme and not just a flight around the area. I have been in a P-51D (Wee Willy II) out of Chino CA but this jet experience will be the culmination of a life entralled with aviation.
Comments and advice appreciated and if anyone knows of a similar experience available please let me know. I am located in Alberta Canada.
Thanks.

Original post

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

My only comment.

I am jealous.

Moggy

Member for

14 years 1 month

Posts: 73

Any chance Moggy that you could move this thread into General Aviation? I likely posted it in this section in error. Not many bites and I'm sure there are members of the board who have either done this themselves or had friends who have.

Life is too short to put a price on something. I am not a rich man but have decided that it's now or never and chances of winning the lottery are slim thus funds must come from somewhere and will cut corners, sell some stuff to raise the money.

It will be a hoot and when completed I'll post the DVD of the event on this board.

Cheers,
Stu

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

Moved for you Stu

Have a great time, it would be great to see some pics if you can manage it, I am very jealous :dev2:

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 96

I can't vouch for the outfit, probably good but 'buyer beware'. You may have some protection if using a credit card.

Some alternatives that I know are bona-fide are Thunder City in Cape Town, South Africa with Hunter, Buccaneer and Lightning rides, and Delta Jets in Kemble, Glos., UK with their Hunters.

Whatever you choose, I'm jealous. Maybe one day........

Member for

12 years 9 months

Posts: 385

As far as I am aware, Thunder City ceased trading last year as Mike Beachyhead stated it had all got too difficult after the very sad loss of Dave Stock in the Lightning ZU-BEX (XS451) crash 30/11/2009.
BF

Member for

14 years 1 month

Posts: 73

Moved for you Stu

Have a great time, it would be great to see some pics if you can manage it, I am very jealous :dev2:

I'm planning to have a complete DVD of the entire experience made. Significant extra @ 800 Euros but something I will treasure and DEFINITELY SHARE with all who are interested including members of this board. Still a year off though and lots could happen but karma willing it will be so. I'm quite fit now but will work extra hard these coming months especially on the core as I want the full meal deal during my 45 minutes.

Got music picked out and line before launch is "Light the fires and smoke the tires".

:-)
Stu

Member for

14 years 1 month

Posts: 73

I can't vouch for the outfit, probably good but 'buyer beware'. You may have some protection if using a credit card.

Some alternatives that I know are bona-fide are Thunder City in Cape Town, South Africa with Hunter, Buccaneer and Lightning rides, and Delta Jets in Kemble, Glos., UK with their Hunters.

Whatever you choose, I'm jealous. Maybe one day........

The thought of Hunters is a strong lure Mark as it was my favorite jet growing up. I used to draw them and even whittled one out of a broomstick handle. Maybe as an alternate but the lure of climbing aboard some Russian "heavy metal" and going supersonic and at the discretion of the pilot TAKING THE STICK will be the ultimate.
Thanks for your comment.
Stu

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 939

Stu - Please check your PMs

OG

Member for

14 years 1 month

Posts: 73

Thanks Keith. See you PM's.
Cheers,
Stu

Member for

19 years 5 months

Posts: 9,821

Sounds like fun!

A couple of questions...
What kind of liability waiver do they have you sign?
How much pre-flight (ejection seat/altitude chamber, etc) training do you get before the ride?

Before a flight in a B-52 I had to get an altitude chamber card and go through ejection seat training.
It was repeated when I got to fly the B-1 and even in the little AT-6 turbine trainer. Both times it was the better part of a day, and this was after I had been through the standard USAF 21-day survival course that included a lot of parachute training.
So for a high performance/high altitude ride, I'd expect you'll get a good amount of care.

Member for

14 years 1 month

Posts: 73

Good points and valuable information.
I expect the Russians are a little more "cavalier" about these things but I will be sure to take out a life insurance extremely high premium for the ride in case a bailout (or crash). I am theorizing there will be some centrifuge evaluation but if memory serves me correct chaps like Steve Irwin and Paula Creamer (to name just a few) did not have to go through all the requirements you list. I heard Tiger Woods woofed in his face mask. That sound like a bad thing which could be a suffocating issue. A G suit is provided etc. I think the "edge of space" experience might be in the MiG31.

My chief concern (other than authemticity) is that the "ride" is left up to the discretion of the pilot and that is exphasized. As I said in other posts I don't want a 45 minute "cruise" around the region for that kind of money. If I suspect anything fishy I will opt for the Hunter experience in the UK which undoubtably is a lot cheaper.

Lastly I have a year to source out people who have done this and the website communication lists a few e-mail addresses of folks who have done this (bona fide I hope) and I'll check out their comments.

Thanks for your input and I envy you flying in "The Bone'.

Member for

14 years 1 month

Posts: 73

I can't vouch for the outfit, probably good but 'buyer beware'. You may have some protection if using a credit card.

Some alternatives that I know are bona-fide are Thunder City in Cape Town, South Africa with Hunter, Buccaneer and Lightning rides, and Delta Jets in Kemble, Glos., UK with their Hunters.

Whatever you choose, I'm jealous. Maybe one day........

Tried Delta Jets website and found it unfunctional. A page comes on but when you try and log on nothing happens. Either site is down or "other". Shame because I would love to fly in the Hunter as an alternate should the Nizhny venture not pan out.
If you know anything further please let me know.
Cheers,
Stu

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 96

I don't know the current status of Delta Jets. I remember seeing them at Kemble not that long ago - your eyes are everywhere if you know there's a Hunter aiming for the same runway as you.

Down the road from me they offer rides in the T-33 Shooting Star and the P-38 Lightning (not the English Electric variety but just as rare). That's the Planes of Fame museum at Chino.

If you want to test your stomach and G-tolerance first, I'd highly recommend a trip with Ultimate High at Kemble. They'd likely also know the status of Delta Jets as I believe they have shared some crew between the two organizations (including an ex Red One).

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 939

Stu,

Please check your PMs again.

OG

Member for

14 years 1 month

Posts: 73

I don't know the current status of Delta Jets. I remember seeing them at Kemble not that long ago - your eyes are everywhere if you know there's a Hunter aiming for the same runway as you.

Down the road from me they offer rides in the T-33 Shooting Star and the P-38 Lightning (not the English Electric variety but just as rare). That's the Planes of Fame museum at Chino.

If you want to test your stomach and G-tolerance first, I'd highly recommend a trip with Ultimate High at Kemble. They'd likely also know the status of Delta Jets as I believe they have shared some crew between the two organizations (including an ex Red One).

Thanks Mark. I rode in Wee Willy II (P-51D) out of Chino. Will try and attach some pics. Was back in 1998. Cost approx $500.00 (much more now). The T-33 back then was $1,500.00 for 30 mins.
Will check out Ultimate High.
Thanks,
Stu

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 585

Just gone a strange shade of green......

Member for

15 years 8 months

Posts: 1,320

Sounds interesting, I hope it all goes well :)

Member for

14 years 7 months

Posts: 144

Stu, the package is totally legit. Friend of mine done it a few years back, when they were still operating the Foxbat - I'm ever so slightly envious. For 17,000 euros though, its hard to top trump that as an experience.