John Baker
New member
The thread about the B-17 reminded me of this. A few days ago, a B-17 landed at Gillespie Field, KSEE. They ran numerous ads in the paper, and direct mail, urging folks to come and look, they were also offering rides.
I can't recall what the prices were, something like twenty or so dollars to climb aboard and look around, four or five hundred for a twenty minute flight.
Years ago, when I was in flight school out a KSEE, one of the crews from that B-17 or its sister ship, came into the FBO. These guys were dressed up much like they imagined an actual B-17 crew would dress, leather jackets with insignia, etc.
What I could not help noticing about that particular crew was they were actually strutting and swaggering. Very proud of themselves, like they had just come back from a mission over Europe. Real heroes.
Anyway, I was talking to a friend who is an old air force guy. We both have spent many hours knocking around in military aircraft, transports and helicopters for me, that we would not pay to fly in one for twenty or so minutes, or even pay to see the static display, at least not at those prices.
We both believe it is a good cause, keeping them aloft and all, but for us, the thrill is long gone, there are other things we would rather spend our money on.
My question is, would you guys, as experienced pilots, pay four hundred dollars for a 20 minute ride in a B-17? I can understand that war buffs among the general public would consider it a real opportunity, but what about GA pilots?
John
I can't recall what the prices were, something like twenty or so dollars to climb aboard and look around, four or five hundred for a twenty minute flight.
Years ago, when I was in flight school out a KSEE, one of the crews from that B-17 or its sister ship, came into the FBO. These guys were dressed up much like they imagined an actual B-17 crew would dress, leather jackets with insignia, etc.
What I could not help noticing about that particular crew was they were actually strutting and swaggering. Very proud of themselves, like they had just come back from a mission over Europe. Real heroes.
Anyway, I was talking to a friend who is an old air force guy. We both have spent many hours knocking around in military aircraft, transports and helicopters for me, that we would not pay to fly in one for twenty or so minutes, or even pay to see the static display, at least not at those prices.
We both believe it is a good cause, keeping them aloft and all, but for us, the thrill is long gone, there are other things we would rather spend our money on.
My question is, would you guys, as experienced pilots, pay four hundred dollars for a 20 minute ride in a B-17? I can understand that war buffs among the general public would consider it a real opportunity, but what about GA pilots?
John