What is an Adventure Flight?

Mustang Flights Australia offers Adventure Flights in our Australian built P-51D Mustang “SNIFTER”.

The Term “ADVENTURE FLIGHT” is used to differentiate the experience from other flight experiences such as “Joy Flights” or “Scenic Flights”. Adventure flights are specific to flights for the purpose of aviation enthusiasts or those wishing to experience what it is like to fly in in an Ex-Military Aircraft.

The Ex-Military aircraft covered by the Adventure flight rules generally had a previous life as a military pilot trainer, transport, bomber or fighter aircraft. These aircraft usually did not receive civil aircraft certification and so cannot be guaranteed to comply with civil aircraft design requirements. Many of the ex-military aircraft used for Adventure Flights in Australia were designed by and for foreign militaries such as China, Russia and the USA among others. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Australia’s aviation governing body) has no oversight of the design of many of these aircraft and therefore cannot guarantee their safety.

The Australian Warbirds Association Limited (AWAL) was created to oversee and administer all ex-military aircraft operations in Australia. The AWAL provide stringent requirements to be met in order to be allowed to offer Adventure Flights in these exciting aircraft. Each aircraft type is assessed and a set of specific maintenance requirements and operational limitations are assigned to the aircraft. The operator is then required to comply with these along with the general rules of aviation set by CASA. All pilots must be current Commercial Pilot Licence holders, meet the Class 1 Medical requirements set by CASA and hold the relevant endorsements and ratings to fly the aircraft.

Every effort is made to make the Adventure Flight as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Following is the mandated Passenger Briefing Material.

This is a MUST READ! The passenger will be required to indicate their acknowledgment of this briefing prior to attending the airport for the flight and again at the airport prior to the flight taking place.

1. THIS IS NOT A CHARTER FLIGHT OR SCENIC FLIGHT.
2. This is an adventure flight and is not required to meet the same standards as normally expected in other passenger carrying operations.
3. The aircraft is an ex-military type and does not have normal civilian Certification.
4. There is risk inherent in the operation of this aircraft.
5. The manoeuvres that might be expected are loops, rolls and wingovers, which will cause the passenger to experience positive ‘G’ and perhaps negative ‘G’. You may ask the pilot to cease aerobatics at any point.
6. The aircraft has active controls in the passenger cockpit which must not be interfered with at any time. Hands and feet must remain clear of the joystick and rudder pedals. Your pilot or ground crew will point them out at the time of your cockpit familiarissation.
7. The aircraft is relatively noisy, there is a button activated intercom which will be pointed out during your cockpit familiarisation. Passengers are encouraged to converse with the pilot, though they may be asked to hold conversation due to radio requirements from time to time.
8. There will be several noises heard during flight and ground operations,  since the aircraft operating systems are largely hydraulic. For example, you will feel and maybe even hear the undercarriage and/or flaps retraction/extension.
9. You will be shown how to operate your harness and how the canopy works. Passengers must advise the pilot if they have any concerns about their harness or how they are feeling. The canopy must remain closed in flight, and only opened with the pilot’s permission once on the ground.
10. Passengers must be accompanied to and from the aircraft by Mustang Flights Australia staff.
11. In an emergency, you must follow the instructions of the pilot, including instruction to exit the aircraft after releasing your harness and opening the canopy when on the ground. In an emergency you exit the aircraft via either side and leace the immediate vicinity of the aircraft to a place of safety.
12. Please consider the statements below before continuing with this flight.