30 January 2023
The CAA has today approved revenue earning passenger flights in former military jet aircraft.
The Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) is a CAA approved risk analysis framework for operating ex military aircraft. Class 5 covering jets has been added and follows an extensive consultation last year.
Among the companies planning to offer such flights is Aero Legends which has operated flights in Spitfires under this framework for many years.
Aero Legends has confirmed that fighter jet experiences will start in April 2023 from Aero Legends’ base at North Weald Airfield.
“We are privileged to be the first operator providing experiences under the revised SSAC framework,” said a statement from Aero Legends. “Members of the public can now experience outstanding and significant ex-military jet aircraft.
“In late 2022, we opened the calendar for passenger flights in the iconic BAC Strikemaster. We are now looking forward to flying those who have already secured their flying date. Those who are ready to be a fighter pilot for the day but haven’t yet booked, can now do so with confidence.”
The Aero Legends team at North Weald
Strikemaster fighter jet experiences are available from £2250.
The BAC Strikemaster is a weaponised counter-insurgency and light attack aircraft. It is a development of the Jet Provost and predecessor to the Hawk, powered by an uprated Rolls-Royce Viper turbo-jet engine. The pilots include former Red Arrow pilot Sean Chiddention MBE, and Charlie Brown. As well as some 2,000 hours in Spitfires, Charlie has extensive jet, Instructional and passenger flying experience amassed from 39 years with the Royal Air Force.
