Getting into Warbird flying?

Inverted25

Inverted25

Well-Known Member
So my passion has always been tailwheel airplanes and vintage world war II in particular. I now have around 300 hours of tailwheel time and building fast. I would like to get into flying some warbirds. There was a guy I ment recently and thats all he does is fly warbirds on the airshow circuit for a living. How do you get into that kind of flying? I know a guy who owns a T-6 I could get some time in. But other than that the biggest tailwheel I have flown in a Pawnee. I'm really interesting in hearing from anyone who has done this type of flying or knows anything about it.
 
Expect to work with a lot of deluded uber-type-A personalities that think they're God's gift to aviation and women. At least that has been my experience in 2 jobs working for people who were really into the warbird thing.
 
Roger said:
Expect to work with a lot of deluded uber-type-A personalities that think they're God's gift to aviation and women. At least that has been my experience in 2 jobs working for people who were really into the warbird thing.
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Have seen that with a couple of P-51 warbird owners now, over the years.
 
I'd love to one day own a T-6, but we'll see. If I get on with SWA, it might happen. If I get on with jetBlue....maybe when I upgrade in 10 years. :)
 
Have you checked out your local Commemorative Air Force squadron? I have the same desires as you ad when I get back to the States,that's the route I plan to take.
 
Yea my local squardon flies a T-6. Not really worth the cost to me. My old instructors brother has a T-6 that I can get time in whenever I want. Hes also restoring a Corsair right now but thats just in the beggning stages. I'd love to buy a stearmen and give rides in it and do airshows with it. That would be a cool airplane to take on the circuit. Not really looking to get into P-51s I want to fly some unique. Maybe something like a hellcat or p-38.
 
The fact of the matter is, the T-6 is your key to flying warbirds.

It all has to do with insurance -- there are only two insurance under-writers in the US who insure warbirds (I'm talking about the single-engine type -- fighters, specifically), and both of them require pilots to have at least 200 hours of T-6 time to be insurable.

Obviously there is a lot more to it than just a bunch of T-6 time. As with everything in aviation, it's all about who you know. If you're not wealthy enough to own your own toy, then you'll have to find someone who does and jump through whatever hoops they require. As has been mentioned, the current cost of most warbirds means that many owners are businessmen, and with that bring a whole interesting crop of personalities. Some are Walter Mittys, some are cutthroat corporate types who can't be wrong, and personalities that sit everywhere in between.

There's no fairness in the system -- it's entirely subjective. Given the rarity of most of the aircraft types, if you have a specific one in mind (like a P-38) it's going to take you a lot of time, money, and ball-juggling to get in that seat. I know highly qualified and experienced pilots who all ready have lots of warbird experience who can't get into the seat of a P-38. Ultimately you're going to need the right mix of luck and experience to make it happen. Even then, there's no guarantee.

IMHO, unless you specifically have a particular warbird owner in mind whose toys you want to fly, then your best bet by far is to join the CAF and sponsor an airplane.

And get a bunch of T-6 time.

And get FAST qual'd.

And have a big bank account that you don't mind tapping often to fund your habit.
 
I don't think there are many pilots out there who wouldn't want to fly some of the historic airplanes. I've got some planes I'd love to fly (specifically Russian/Soviet stuff), but there are so few of them here, it would be tough to get into. However, I have been fortunate enough to fly a warbird (L-16), which is by far one of the coolest things I've flown up until now.
 
There was a very notable T-45 sim instructor when I was in Meridian who spent his weekends flying someone else's T-2 Buckeye at airshows. Not a bad gig at all, and certainly the way I'd want to do the warbird thing. I've got no idea how he worked out that deal, but I'm sure he has lots of connections.
 
See thats where I think I will run into a brick wall. Seems most of these guys who just fly them for other people are former military aviators and most of them former fighter pilots.
 
Inverted25 said:
See thats where I think I will run into a brick wall. Seems most of these guys who just fly them for other people are former military aviators and most of them former fighter pilots.
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When trying to get checked out in a F8F Bearcat, F-16 time is nowhere near as valuable as Ag-cat and T-6 time. However, the "cool" factor of being buddy with a fighter pilot gets their foot in the door with the owners.

As Hacker said, the big engine tailwheel time is the crucial factor in getting the insurance company's blessing. Without that, NOBODY is going to let you fly their priceless warbird.
 
Just look for a Yak 52, it's not really a war bird but it's pretty fun and cheap to fly. There are also many Pilatus P3 in the US, I have some time in it and it's really a fun bird
 
Get some SIC ratings in various aircraft. Show your seriousness and invest some of your own money in the game. Probably more than any other facet of aviation, networking is the best alternative to owning your own warbird.
 
I would recommend getting a couple hundred hours in a Citabria, that seems to be a nice transition as far as the flying goes to the T-6. Although less complex, if you can wheel land a Citabria well, very well then you'll be on your way flying the T-6. You dont want to get behind the plane with a T-6 it will bite you in the butt. But its the Pilot maker, its not has hard as people make it out to be, why require 1000 hours before you can fly one when 16 year olds were being trained to fly in them with 50 hours. Thats my opinion anyway... But it does require some skill.
 
There are flight school's that will rent you a Texan, my work for instance. Not sure if there are any where you live. There are also a bunch of buy in programs that are like selective flight clubs for warbirds. One Texan in the area has a 1000 dollar buy in, then hourly dues and annual dues, and basically you are part owner of a T-6.

There are also several organizations that you can donate money and your time to, to get your foot in the door, CAF(commemorative Air Force) is a big one. Look into those types of organizations. If you are willing to put the money, time and dedication those programs are great. If you are looking for a sugar pilot to let you fly his warbird you might be looking a while, you need to be able to prove you can fly that aircraft first. Insurance will be the biggest factor usually.
 
Inverted said:
There are flight school's that will rent you a Texan, my work for instance. Not sure if there are any where you live. There are also a bunch of buy in programs that are like selective flight clubs for warbirds. One Texan in the area has a 1000 dollar buy in, then hourly dues and annual dues, and basically you are part owner of a T-6.

There are also several organizations that you can donate money and your time to, to get your foot in the door, CAF(commemorative Air Force) is a big one. Look into those types of organizations. If you are willing to put the money, time and dedication those programs are great. If you are looking for a sugar pilot to let you fly his warbird you might be looking a while, you need to be able to prove you can fly that aircraft first. Insurance will be the biggest factor usually.
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I'd like to come over there after fire season and fly...I live near AUN and often have flown into LVK to do concerts in San Ramon...
 
I get alot of time in a Pawnee right now. I also have time in C-140, Decathlon, Luscombes, and a few other small tail draggers. There local CAF has a T-6 but its something like 6000 dollar buy in plus around 2400 a year to stay a member than you have to pay for fuel on top of that and you only get 2 hours a month to fly it. Its really a ridcolous set up if you ask me. I'm going to talk to my old instructor and see what he can set up with his brother who has a T-6. I know he takes it to different airshows as a static display throughout the year maybe he will let me tag along and get some stick time and maybe once I have flown with him a bunch he will get brave and let me fly it alone. Who knows.
 
Inverted25 said:
I get alot of time in a Pawnee right now. I also have time in C-140, Decathlon, Luscombes, and a few other small tail draggers. There local CAF has a T-6 but its something like 6000 dollar buy in plus around 2400 a year to stay a member than you have to pay for fuel on top of that and you only get 2 hours a month to fly it. Its really a ridcolous set up if you ask me. I'm going to talk to my old instructor and see what he can set up with his brother who has a T-6. I know he takes it to different airshows as a static display throughout the year maybe he will let me tag along and get some stick time and maybe once I have flown with him a bunch he will get brave and let me fly it alone. Who knows.
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Can you stack up your time for when you're available? Like let's say someone was working the fire season, and could only fly from November until April?
 
It takes a lot of time, sweat, and blood to earn the respect of the owners to let you fly. After five years of being around two warbird operators I am allowed to fly right seat in the B-25 and as PIC in their support airplane (a Twin Comanche). They also have Cessna T-50, but it was wrecked and needs to be rebuilt. I have a feeling if it were flying I would be allow to fly it also. They have an L-16 I could fly but I have never asked to. I think it would take many, many years for the owner to be willing to type me in the B-25.

The other warbird operation specilizes in Soviet aircraft. The main show aircraft is a Yak 9. They also have a few Yak 52's and Nanchangs. After being around them for five years I was finally offered the chance to get checked out in the Nanchang and 52. Time has not allowed for that yet. This summer they plan on adding an L-39 to the fleet and I have a feeling they would be willing to trian me on that. I do not think the oppurtunity to get checked out in the Yak 9 will ever arise. And that is with the owner being a very good friend.

Flying a warbird on the airshow circut is much, much more involved than just the actual flying. It really is a full time job. No one is going to spend $50,000 to train a pilot in a Mustang or Hellcat unless they know that pilot is willing to earn that oppurtunity. That means commiting to x number of airshows a year, helping on the mx side of things, keeping the plane pretty, and handeling all the logistical nightmares that go along with participating in airshows. The owners also treat these aircraft more carefully than they do their children. It takes a very long time to earn enough respect from a warbird owner to get cut loose in the aircraft.

Alex.
 
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