The opportunity to fly in a real fighter jet is a dream or bucket list item for many aviation enthusiasts. Thanks to MiGFlug, a company based in Zurich, Switzerland, this doesn’t have to be a dream. MigFlug offers flights in different fighter jet models in the United States, several countries in Europe, and New Zealand. Their customers can fly in fighters like the L-39 Albatross, MiG-15, Aermacchi S.211, MB-326, and de Havilland Vampire.
MiGFlug Flies L-39 Albatros Fighter Jet Worldwide
The two-seat L-39 is the backbone of MiGFlug operations, offering flights in the United States, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, and New Zealand. Their professional jet fighter pilots have military experience as test pilots and pilot instructors. They talk with their guests before each flight, providing safety briefings and asking them about what they want to experience during the flights.
Czechoslovakian company Aero Vodochody first manufactured the L-39 Albatross in 1971. Many countries, including Algeria, Armenia, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Syria, Libya, and the Czech Republic are still using it today for training and other military missions. AERO now produces a new design of the L-39, which they call the Skyfox.
“The L-39 is still used by many operators” said Philipp Schaer, CEO of MiGFlug. “This helps us to get spare parts and other components.’
The aircraft is a two-seat fighter jet, 39 feet 10 inches long with a 31-foot wingspan. It has an Ivchenko turbofan engine and a maximum speed of 608 miles per hour. Its service ceiling is 36,000 feet.
L-39 Provides Excitement
“The L-39 is a great aircraft for us,” said Schaer. “With the higher back seat of this aircraft, the customer in the back seat has a great view over the pilot in front.”
In the United States, MiGFlug offers L-39 flights in Tampa, Florida and Los Angeles, California. In these two states known for their amusement parks, flights on an L-39 Albatross are more exciting than any roller coaster. Pilots take the jets through maneuvers like loops, Immelmann turns, rolls, Split-S, and vertical dives and climbs. Guests also get some stick time during the flights – a unique opportunity to control a real fighter jet.
Customers Can Fly in Soviet Mikoyan MiG-15
MiGFlug also offers flights in the Soviet Mikoyan MiG-15 Fagot from The Czech Republic. During the Korean War, American pilots flying P-51 Mustangs, F-86 Sabres, and F-80 Shooting Stars fought MiG-15s flown by North Korean, Chinese, and Soviet pilots. Much of this took place in the “MiG-Alley” zone between China and North Korea.
The swept-wing MiG-15 is 33 feet long, with a slightly shorter wingspan. During its first production run and flights in 1947, it had a Soviet Klimov jet engine which they modified from designs of Rolls Royce Nene and Derwent jet engines. The MiG-15 fighter jet has a maximum speed of 652 miles per hour and a service ceiling of almost 50,000 feet.
MiGFlug flies its MiG-15 from an airfield in the town of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, about an hour from Prague. Each flight features exciting fighter jet maneuvers including high-speed, low-level flying.
MiGFlug Offers Flights in de Haviland Vampire Fighter Jet
One of the most unique aircraft in the MiGFlug fleet is the twin-tailed de Havilland Vampire, which they fly in the United Kingdom near London. This aircraft has the only side-by-side seating arrangement MiGFlug offers. The Vampire was the first British single-engine jet fighter and flew as an interceptor and as a fighter-bomber. They later converted it to a night fighter and a trainer version. British engineers first designed the Vampire in 1941, but it was not operational in the Royal Air Force (RAF) until 1946, after WWII.
The Vampire is 30 feet long and its wingspan is 37.9 feet. It originally flew with one pilot. Its engine was the De Havilland Goblin turbojet, and it had a maximum speed of 531 miles per hour. Its service ceiling was 42,800 feet.
The side-by-side seating configuration in MiGFlug’s Vampire gives guests a clear view in front of the aircraft and allows them a close-up look at how the pilot controls the aircraft.
Exciting Choices for Fighter Jet Experiences
MiGFlug offers several other specialized fighter jet opportunities. One is its F-104 Starfighter flight training experience at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This is a three-day ground training and flight program and only available to qualified, licensed pilots with current medical clearances.
Another of MiGFlug’s special programs is its L-39 Air Combat experience based in Riga, Latvia. For this program, two people participate in different fighter jets and fly three sorties. The first is a training flight with practice in basic controls and maneuvers. For the second flight, two aircraft fly in formation, and the guests learn some dogfighting and ground bombing tactics.
For the third flight, the pilots guide their aircraft through mock combat at high altitudes, and guests experience up to 6 G’s. If guests prefer something different than dogfighting, they can choose to have both aircraft fly in formation at high speed and low altitude and conduct mock bombing runs on bunkers and parked aircraft.
Safety a Top Priority for MiGFlug Fighter Jet Flights
In 2004, Schaer and Flavio Kaufmann founded MiGFlug and opened its main office in Zurich, Switzerland. From the beginning, safety was their top priority, and they are proud to state they have never had an accident during thousands of flights. The company makes a major effort to ensure their fighter jets are in top condition.
“It is necessary to constantly invest significant amounts into the fleet,” said Schaer.
He added that they are working on replacing some of the engines on the aircraft. He also stated that MiGFlug has qualified mechanics at each of their locations and that they maintain the aircraft “impeccably and carefully.”
A Focus on a Great Customer Experience
The company is focused on providing a great experience for its customers. From scheduling to accommodating specific requests for their flights, everything they do is customizable.
MiGFlug’s stated mission is to “enable aviation enthusiasts and adrenaline freaks to experience an unforgettable adventure in the world’s best fighter jets, while trying always to keep prices as low and affordable as possible so anyone can fly a real fighter jet.” MiGFlug is offering opportunities to fly in real fighter jets throughout the world.
