My Flight in a Spitfire

Have you ever dreamed of doing a warbird flight in a vintage aircraft? How about a unique experience of flying in a Spitfire? Here we discuss what it’s like to have an experience of a warbird flight in a vintage aircraft in England, UK, specifically in Duxford, Cambridgeshire. We also provide details on how to book your own dream flight and what to be prepared for to enjoy your flight experience fully!

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Where to go for your unique flight experience

You will be traveling to Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire. The airfield is home to Aerial Collective the company which operates an excellent range of UK warbird flight experiences. There is also an extensive Imperial War Museum complex with aviation and land oriented displays.

How to Get to Duxford Airfield

Depending on where you are based from, there are several ways to get to Duxford Airfield. We were based in London so took the Underground and National Rail train. The nearest station is a 30 minute walk or short taxi ride to the airfield.

Renting a car is also an option. It’s an easy drive to Duxford and parking is available at the airfield.

What are you going to fly? How long?

This experience is about flying in a World War 2 vintage aircraft. Aerial Collective has several aircraft you can enjoy a warbird flight in, with different times, destinations and even formation flights. If you have wondered what it may have felt like to fly over the British countryside in WW2, this is where you do it. It’s a unique UK flight experience!

We picked a Spitfire experience which had the destination of the white cliffs of Dover and Beachy Head. This gave a perspective of going to where the Spitfires of WW2 would go to meet and fight the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

The Joy of Flight and Safety First!

The pre-flight process included briefings on what was involved, the safety information and risks. Gail and I were both present so we would both be aware of all. Once you have covered all this, you sign the inevitable waiver and are taken to the pre-fight viewing area.

We watched our vintage warbird, the Spitfire, get towed out of the hangar and met our pilot Jon. He covered off what our flight plan would be and ensured we were comfortable with everything.

The Spitfire is a storied aircraft with an amazing history. To see one in flying condition is a rare treat! The anticipation of getting into one and going airborne is quite exciting!

Getting prepared to fly

The ground crew team walked us out to the aircraft and got us strapped into the airplane. First step into the aircraft, then lower yourself into the cockpit. Although this is a dual aircraft, the cockpits are single seat in a tandem configuration – pilot in front and passenger in the rear elevated position.

The next step is strapping the parachute on, then the seatbelts with five straps. For those who have flown in either vintage or modern aircraft the process is similar for any fighter or attack aircraft. For those who haven’t been in this kind of seating, follow the instructions of the ground crew to get safely attached to the aircraft.

Last step is to put on the helmet and plug into the intercom. Communication between you and the pilot is through this intercom.

Once you are all settled, the pilot will talk you through the start up procedure until you get the joy of hearing that Rolls Royce Merlin come to life! A quick taxi to the run up ramp and the pilot checks the systems (checking “Ts & Ps”). Once everything is set we taxied to the runway and before you know it you are airborne on your warbird flight!

Going flying!

The flight to Beachy Head takes about 30 minutes and we threaded our way between many busy airports with London to our right. You are flying below 2500 feet to keep out of the controlled airspace above (this is where the ATC has aircraft transiting the airspace plus arrivals and departures from the airports nearby.)

As we went along and requested an overflight of one of the smaller airfields, the Tower Controller requested a flyby. A nice extra as not part of the flight plan, we went down and did a fly over of the airfield.

Shortly after this flyby the pilot gave me control of the aircraft and I flew her the rest of the way to Beachy Head. Wow! This was the smoothest flying aircraft I have flown! Very sensitive on the controls – you only had to think about pulling back to gain altitude and it would climb. Initiating a bank to turn was as smooth as butter. As I flew along it became easier to fly.

I had a wonderful time and then the Pilot said “I have control” – had to happen but I wasn’t disappointed for long as we had arrived at Beachy Head and it was time for the aerobatics!!

Aerobatics

The pilot kept me updated on what we were about to do on each maneuver and ensured I was ready and happy. If you haven’t been in a fighter aircraft or done aerobatics before, things like rolls and loops can be disconcerting. As the pilot advised me, if you start feeling strange (or a bit sick) look to the horizon to bring your equilibrium back in order.

You won’t experience a lot of g’s (increase in gravity due to aircraft movement) but it can be a novel experience if you haven’t done anything like this. I am sure we didn’t exceed three positive g’s and had minimal negative g’s so no need to stop anything on this flight. Once again, it is all over far too soon.

Flight back to operations (ops)

Flying back to Duxford in this vintage aircraft, I was able to take control again and it was another dream experience. The sun was behind us now and the view changed dramatically. London was highlighted and a beautiful sight.

On the way we overflew Standstead airport and were directed over the threshold of runway 22 as a RyanAir 737 departed. A little further along we passed another plane – a Chipmunk – at our level but a bit to our left. A waggle of their wings, a waggle of our wings and on we went. Cool to pass a vintage flight trainer in a vintage fighter.

Back at Duxford we contacted ATC for permission to do a flyby, which we got and then did a flyby with a break to downwind. Next on to final approach for a sweet landing and taxi back to the dispersal and viewing area. Gail was waiting with the ground crew at the viewing building.

I was soon unstrapped and shaking the pilot’s hand for a great flight. A few pictures with the crew, aircraft and Gail and it was all over. Time had flown and it was all over. I could have gone for even longer and would go again in a heartbeat!

History of the Aircraft

The Spitfire we flew in was built in 1944. For a detailed history of the aircraft check out her web page. She flew during WW2 in the Mediterranean theatre. After various service careers and some time abandoned in a rubbish tip, she was rebuilt to flying condition.

A few different owners took care of her until she arrived back in Duxford. This history made it a true UK warbird flight experience!

Why Should You Fly in a Spitfire?

If you have ever wanted to fly in a fighter aircraft, whether you are a pilot of an aviation enthusiast, there are a limited number of choices out there, but there are choices. Why the Spitfire? As an aviation enthusiast from a very young age, there have been several aircraft which evoked strong emotions in me.

The Mosiquito, the Mustang, the Hurricane and the Spitfire lead the list of aircraft I would love to fly in. The Spitfire and it’s history were the leading contender for me and as we were in England, to fly over the cliffs of Dover and Beachy Head meant I chose the Spitfire.

I might only have one flight in my life, and this was my top choice. I can always come back and fly another vintage aircraft to add to my bucket.

Why Aerial Collective?

If you do a search for flying in vintage aircraft there are quite a few results and several locations. We were in England during the winter months and there were only a few locations offering UK warbird flight experiences.

If you are looking for a range of different aircraft and several options for length of flight, Aerial Collective may be your better choice. If you want something very specific, they are open to creating a custom flight plan for you.

Aerial Collective has some of the better reviews and offered the location and type of aircraft I wanted to fly in. From my initial calls to the team there, through the booking process, pre-flight, flight and post-flight the experience was top notch!

We were the first experience for 2024 and unequivocally recommend Aerial Collective in Duxford as a place to do your dream flight! As a flight experience in the UK, this was incredible!

There are huge Imperial War Museum displays and entry is included in your experience. If you want to get full value of the IWM, get there when it opens and visit it before and after your flying experience. You may even decide to stay in the local area to make it a 2 day visit.

How much does this all cost?

It will depend on how long you want to fly and which aircraft you want to fly in. I highly recommend you call the team at Aerial Collective to discuss what you want to do before you book.

As an example the white cliffs of Dover flight is listed but if you ask to go to Beachy Head, you will get a better view of the cliffs (and possibly a slightly longer flight.) We contacted the team several times to confirm our better choice and then booked online a few weeks before our flight. Check out the website for experiences and prices.

Things to know before you book

As indicated, call the team at Aerial Collective in Duxford for your UK warbird flight experience. They can help you to find the best choice or aircraft and experience for your budget and dream flight. Review the website thoroughly to see what they have to offer and how it will best suit you.

There are several different vintage aircraft and warbird flight experiences to consider. If you are going to be in the UK for a limited time I would recommend booking your experience in Duxford as early as possible in case there is weather which would delay the day of your experience.

Ask the team how busy it may be at the time you are planning and how long in advance they recommend you book. If you are booking from out of country ensure you book with enough time for the intro parcel to arrive.

Tips for the non-flying Guest(s)

There are options for more than one guest to complete an experience such as formations of two aircraft, but it may be your significant other, family or friends aren’t going to fly.

The team at Aerial Collective have this covered and they will look after your non-flying guests while you are enjoying your unique flight experience in a vintage or wartime aircraft.

There is a well equipped area to watch and take pictures close to the plane, both before, during takeoff and landing, and the team was on hand to give directions when and where to go and where to wait. Gail was well looked after!

If you choose, you may wish to stay overnight either the evening before your flight, or the day of your flight, depending on the time and ease of getting to where you’re from. Here are some options close to Duxford for you to consider.