Fighter Jet Rides for Tourists – A bit of History

par | Jan 23, 2014 | Vols de chasseurs, avions de chasse, À l'intérieur de MiGFlug, Aviation militaire | 5 commentaires

Development of fighter jet rides

Fighter Jet Rides in the L-39 Albatros

Fighter Jet Rides in the L-39 Albatros

It all started with the end of the Cold War and the downsizing of military services and air forces due to strained public finances in the former Eastern Bloc - the former communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. At this time, many former Warsaw Pact military aircraft appeared on the Western market. One of the reasons was a lack of state control in the Eastern Bloc countries in the years after 1991 - or 1989, respectively. This led to a lack of control and chaos. Given the vast amount of military hardware these countries possessed, including nuclear weapons, this was an extremely dangerous situation. Corruption and unscrupulousness was widespread, things simply vanished. A former Swiss pilot who made a fortune by buying Aero L-39 Albatros jets and selling them in the west, mainly in the US, told MiGFlug: "In some countries those who were in the positions were just trying to earn something from the diminishing stock of military equipment. In the Ukraine for example you could give them a waggon full of potatoes, they would give you an L-39 in exchange. " This was at this time modern jet, it was produced until 1999! And it was a multi-million trainer and light attack aircraft. The Czech L-39 is still in use with many Air Forces today, but many of the 2800 jets produced have private operators today - and some of them are available for passenger fighter jet rides via MiGFlug.

State operators making jets available

Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound

MiG-31 Foxbat

Another, more surprising path, is the jets made available for civilian fighter jet rides by state operators, in Russia. The jets made available included different very modern fighter jets of the 4th generation, such as Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker,  Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum and MiG-31 Foxhound. These incredible Russian fighter jets - top secret before, were now suddenly made available for fighter jet rides even to US tourists.  It all started during the huge financial crisis in 1997, when the Russians tried to earn some hard currency from everything they had. Flights took place from Zhukovsky airbase, where the MAKS airshow takes place. Other supersonic jets available for flights at this time included the MiG-23 Flogger and the MiG-25 Foxbat. Luckily, flights are still available today, even though Zhukovsky was closed for civilian supersonic jet rides in 2006. Today, flights are available from Sokol airbase in Nizhny Novgorod. This is one of the MiG production sites. MiGFlug was the first company to offer MiG-29 supersonic flights as well as Edge of Space flights there.

Associations/Clubs keep aircraft in the air

The third possibility of fighter jet rides made available are associations and aviation clubs with the aim of keeping historic aircraft airworthy. MiGFlug plays a similar role: we help operators to finance the extremely expensive jets. It is not only fuel costs but also maintenance and spare parts. Even with a great deal of voluntary work involved - these jets are still a black hole. "It's easy to make a small fortune in aviation. You just start off with a large fortune", and a fighter aircraft is not comparable with a small plane. Jets operated by associations include the Swiss Hawker Hunter or the Polish MiG-15. MiGFlug customers profit from the unique constellation - they can book rides in all these famous fighter jets.   Additional Resources

Questions connexes

How did civilian fighter jet rides begin?

Civilian fighter jet rides emerged after the Cold War ended, when downsizing air forces across the former Eastern Bloc flooded the market with surplus military aircraft. Amid the chaos and weak state control of the early 1990s, jets like the Aero L-39 Albatros were bought cheaply and sold in the West, especially the US, where many ended up in private hands and available for rides.

Why did so many Soviet military jets appear on the Western market?

After 1989-1991 the former Warsaw Pact states slashed their armed forces under severe financial strain, and state control collapsed in places. With vast stockpiles of hardware and widespread corruption, equipment simply vanished or was sold off. Aircraft such as the L-39 Albatros — about 2,800 were built — were among the easiest to acquire and export.

Why did Russia offer rides in frontline jets like the MiG-29?

Russia began offering civilian rides in modern fighters during the deep financial crisis of 1997, trying to earn hard currency from everything it had. Jets once top secret — the Su-27 Flanker, MiG-29 Fulcrum and MiG-31 Foxhound — were suddenly opened to paying tourists. Flights ran from Zhukovsky airbase, home of the MAKS airshow.

Where did Russian fighter jet rides take place?

Many Russian fighter jet rides operated from Zhukovsky airbase near Moscow, the site of the MAKS airshow. Aircraft offered there over the years included the Su-27 Flanker, MiG-29 Fulcrum, MiG-31 Foxhound, MiG-23 Flogger and MiG-25 Foxbat. Today the MiG-29 is the main supersonic jet still available.

What is the Aero L-39 Albatros?

The Aero L-39 Albatros is a Czechoslovak-built jet trainer, with around 2,800 produced, that became the workhorse of Warsaw Pact pilot training. After the Cold War, many entered private ownership in the West. Its two-seat layout, reliability and relatively low running costs make it one of the most common jets used for civilian flights today.

Why are warbird and historic jet flights run by associations?

Many historic aircraft stay airworthy thanks to associations and aviation clubs whose goal is preservation, not profit. Keeping a jet flying is hugely expensive — fuel, maintenance and rare spare parts — so even with volunteer labour the aircraft rarely break even. Booking rides helps fund the upkeep. Jets kept flying this way include the Swiss Hawker Hunter and the Polish MiG-15.

Do you need to be a pilot to take a fighter jet ride?

No. Fighter jet rides are designed for ordinary passengers, with a qualified pilot flying the aircraft. You ride in the second seat and may handle the controls during gentler phases of the flight. There is no licence requirement, though operators apply basic medical, size and weight limits. Anyone reasonably fit can usually take part.

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5 Commentaires

  1. John doe
    John doe sur 24. May 2016 à 7:16

    I am interested in a supersonic flight in a mig21 to do some extreme maneuvers such as a barrel roll or tail slide.Can u help with an idea of costs as well as a date that it could be done.i am using a pseudonym to prevent spam.

  2. DAVID
    DAVID sur 10. August 2018 à 22:20

    !1. THE MiG-25 has man” FACE more malevolent & BODY is a Lot stronger too. THE PLANE HAS MORE MUSCLE ON IT BODY OF MIG-25 aircraft too. He is gender full male too. H Human man is too. Do you agree. THE GENDER IS MAN TOO> TRUE!!! Like muscle male person too.!

  3. DAVID
    DAVID sur 10. August 2018 à 22:42

    2. THE FEMALE GIRL AIRCRAFT :IS , MIG -31 IS FEMININE GIRL IS (Female Body too) !!! LOOK BODY OF YOUNG LADY LOOK is the MiG-31TOO. It true: the Aircraft has Freemen body too. not as tough like the M-25 look too. IT TRUE! Look check it out your self too. HER BODY STRUCTURE IS female look aircraft too> it lighter Picture of the for example is MiG-31 too. Her GENDER look is Female too. it true! IT A Girl type Aircraft plane too. SHE IS ABOUT 30 YRS OF AGE Female Woman look too. agree. A young PRETTY GIRL too. with make up too. Agree!!! IS Female body of a woman too. it true!!!

  4. Ray Wallace
    Ray Wallace sur 15. November 2020 à 6:25

    As soon as I can get a ride in an SR-71, my “piggy bank” is toast, Love, Ray

  5. Simon
    Simon sur 16. December 2024 à 19:55

    I want to fly in darkstar (sr-72)