Jeremy Clark, TopGear, F-15
As you probably know - we are currently trying to cover questions we are often being asked by potential clients. We recently talked about
flying with the Blue Angels and
how you can rent a fighter jet as a non-military pilot. In the Blue Angels post, we also covered the question "how can I fly an
F-14 Tomcat", probably the most popular fighter jet despite being out of service for a while. Thanks, Tom Cruise, Tony Scott, Don Simpson, and Jerry Bruckheimer - we are pretty sure Top Gun did its part of making the Grumman F-14 Tomcat such a popular bird that everyone wants to have a ride in it. But another highly popular jet that people want to fly is the famous air superiority fighter McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. First flight in 1972, produced in 1200 units already and still going strong. Boeing, who bought McDonnell Douglas, introduced it's newest version in 2010, the Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle, a variant using 5th generation technology such as radar absorbing material. The F-15 can not only
land on one wing, it also scores over 100 aerial kills with not a single loss. So it is well understood that our customer want to fly it.
One lucky guy who actually could enjoy a ride in an F-15 is Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, see the video above. But the sad truth is - if you are not equally popular the chance that you can fly an F-15 Eagle is pretty low. We can't help you with that. Sorry.
But here is the long version to cheer you up:
So let us continue with other popular fighter jets.
How can I fly an F-16?
Belgian F-16 two-seater - unfortunately, the back seat is not for you 🙁
Same here - there is basically only one way - you would have to become a fighter pilot and join an Air Force that operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The F-16 would actually be a nice aircraft to offer flights in. This is for several reasons: The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon has a sexy shape, only one engine and is comparably small and lightweight. So it would be a reasonable option for flights, as the costs wouldn't be that high. Nevertheless, there is no Western 4th generation aircraft available for Civilian fun rides. The same is true for the McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing)
F/A-18 Hornet - no flights available for Civilian clients. Sorry.
How can I fly an F-22?
Flying the F-22? Sorry - no.
Are you nuts? Don't even think about it. There isn't even a two-seater available! So how the hell do you want to have a ride in the F-22? Besides, we are talking about an aircraft that costs USD 361m per piece (!) according to the Government Accountability Office, when all costs are counted in. So the flight in an F-22 would be rather expensive. If you compare that to the most expensive aircraft MiGFlug offers, the Mikoyan
MiG-29 Fulcrum - that jet cost 11m at production and is now about 29m. That's less than 10%. So the
MiG-29 flight is a bit more realistic. And hey - there is even a two-seater available!
Related Questions
Can a civilian fly an F-15 Eagle?
Realistically, no — civilians cannot fly the F-15 Eagle. It remains a frontline military aircraft, so opportunities are essentially limited to serving fighter pilots and rare high-profile guests. The few civilians who have ridden in one, such as Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, were exceptional cases rather than something available to the public.
What is the F-15 Eagle's service history?
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle first flew in 1972 and has been produced in over 1,200 units, remaining in service for decades. Boeing, which acquired McDonnell Douglas, later introduced the updated F-15SE Silent Eagle in 2010, and the US Air Force still invests in new-build F-15 Eagles.
How can a civilian fly in a fighter jet?
Civilians generally cannot fly modern frontline jets like the F-15 or F-16, since those require joining an air force. Some retired or privately operated jets can be flown as a passenger experience, but most current fast jets are single-seat or restricted, which is part of why you can't simply fly a fighter jet solo.
Can you fly an F-16 as a civilian?
No — flying the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon realistically requires becoming a fighter pilot and joining an air force that operates it. Although it has a two-seat variant, the back seat is not available to the public, so civilian flights in operational F-16s are not offered.
Is the F-14 Tomcat available to fly?
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat — made famous by Top Gun — is out of service with the US Navy, so it cannot be flown by civilians either. Its enduring popularity keeps the question alive; here is the full answer to whether you can fly an F-14 Tomcat.
Why did Jeremy Clarkson get to fly an F-15?
Jeremy Clarkson flew in an F-15 as a high-profile television presenter for Top Gear, a rare media opportunity rather than a bookable experience. Such flights are arranged for celebrities or press and are not representative of what ordinary enthusiasts can access, which remains extremely limited for operational fighters.
Correction!
The F-16 is well known in the Air Force and internationally as; “Viper”, not that silly name, given to it by the public. Which is the same name you quoted in your mention of it…?
Check your six, people!
Sorry, but when I was in the Air Force it was called the F-16 Falcon and only much later did it start to be referred to as the Viper, so technically, both are correct ways to refer to the F-16.
When I served as Armament for the Air Force working on F-16s, they were called Falcon.
Sorry, but when I was in the Air Force it was called the F-16 Falcon and only much later did it start to be referred to as the Viper, so technically, both are correct ways to refer to the F-16.
The Viper is only the recently upgraded version of the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” to mkake it more interoperable with the newer 5th Gen fighters like F22 and F35. Check your own six!
it is fighting falcon, and the “viper” is only the f16v. get your facts right retard!
How can I fly F22 Raptor & F15???? Should I????
That would be badass flying in an F-16 but even if they allowed it for a price, probably couldn’t afford it. Plus, those who fly these military jets are a different breed and I don’t think my body would take that kind of G-Force. Those who fly these jets make it look easy but know it takes the right mind set.
I did do some work on a military base but we couldn’t go part the red line or anywhere near the jets. They did let us watch a few take off and do a couple of flyby’s for us.
Сколько стоит на f-22? 30 min/45min
What about f111
Do you know why it’s called a ?
How about a ride somewhere in a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II ?
Also impossible?