by Tom Bastek
Last updated: 1:00 AM ET, Tue January 13, 2015
All photos courtesy those featured
The Wright Brothers started this little fad back in 1903 called, "flying a heavier than air powered aircraft." It would eventually grow into the world of flight that we see today. The great news is that there are plenty of places across the United States that you can still fly an open-air, biplane aircraft. Here are five of them for your consideration.
Waldo Wright's Flying Service - Winter Haven, Florida
Waldo Wright has been restoring and flying biplanes since 1995 in hopes of recapturing the "Golden Age of Aviation" and introducing open air flights to a whole new generation. Currently Waldo offers three different flights: A barnstorming 15-minute flight, a cadet 30 minute flight, and a performance 40 minute flight with aerobatics. The rates are reasonable at $69.95, $229, and $399 respectively. They fly two New Standards, one Stearman, and a Waco VPF-7.
Nostalgic Warbird and Biplane Rides - Cottage Grove, Oregon
Pilot Mike Carpentiero has over 5,000 flight hours accumulated in everything from gliders to jet airplanes. He has served in the Marine Corps, the Navy and the Air National Guard as well as piloted for US Airways for three years. Nowadays, he takes people out in his New Standard airplane and shares his thrill of aviation with others. There are two flight options here: an Intro Flight for 15-20 minutes for $150 per person and an Advanced Flight for 30-35 minutes at $300 per person. The New Standard can hold up to four passengers in their front cockpit.
Biplane Rides Over Atlanta - Atlanta, Georgia
Biplane Rides over Atlanta offers biplane rides, sightseeing tours and aerobatic flights with a number of great choices available. They have a skyline flight over the city, a Stone Mountain flight, a Lake Lanier flight, and even offer a sunset flight as well. The best part of flying with BROA is that you can add a second person to the flight for just $50 more. If you want to do more, they do offer a "Be a fighter pilot for the day package" aboard their AT-6 Texan where you can experience what it was like to be in a WWII fighter plane. Their current inventory consists of a PT-17 Stearman, a Waco YPF, and the AT-6 Texan. The flights meet at the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant, which is an experience all by itself.
Palm Springs Biplanes - Palm Springs, California
Palms Spring Biplanes offers you a chance to, "feel the wind in your face as you soar back in time." They are flying a historic 1940 three-seat Stearman Biplane and they offer three different flights. The Barnstormer - 15 minutes for $199, The Coachella Coaster - 30+ minutes for $299 and Southern Cross - one hour for $499. There is no better way to see the Coachella Valley.
Biplane Rides over Philadelphia - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
"The Cannibal Queen" is the name of the WWII Stearman aircraft that flies at Biplane Rides Over Philadelphia and it has a long history to go along with that name. Built in 1942 to train Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, it came back to the states later that year when purchased by the U.S. Army. After the war, The Cannibal Queen spent 30 years as a spray plane and then went through a full restoration.
The plane was the main character in a non-fiction book as author Stephen Coonts spent three months traveling to all 48 lower states in the plane and then writing about it. Biplane Rides Over Philadelphia offers 30, 50 and 75 minutes rides for $249, $399 and $549 respectively. You can add a second person for $50-$100 depending on the flight.
Flying in an open air aircraft is a unique experience in itself and most companies will even let you take the stick for a little bit of the time, depending on the plane's configuration. The next time you are looking for something different to do while traveling, think about looking up the nearest airport and find out if there is a chance for an open air flight to be taken. You won't regret it.
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