Private ownership of vintage military aircraft...?

[Seiyuuki]

Where would I find specific regulation on such thing, what type of model and how long do I have to wait. Specifically, I am just wondering if it would ever be possible to own and fly an F-14 or F-16 or F-15 some decades down the road.

[gaijinsamurai]

I recall seeing old Vietnam-era F5's in private ownership. For an F16, etc, you'd probably have to wait until they are truly obsolete, AND have a couple million $$$ to spend.
Of course, it goes without saying that you wouldn't be able to buy the "sparrow" and "sidewinder" accessory packages!

[walford]

I recall seeing old Vietnam-era F5's in private ownership. For an F16, etc, you'd probably have to wait until they are truly obsolete, AND have a couple million $$$ to spend. Of course, it goes without saying that you wouldn't be able to buy the "sparrow" and "sidewinder" accessory packages!This is the first I've heard of any aircraft -- such as the F-5 -- capable of breaking the sound barrier [and with an 8 mile+ service ceiling] available for private use. I would imagine that there are some heavy stipulations as to whom can operate it and under what circumstances.

It would seem simpler and less expensive to go for a prop-engined warbird. I personally would love to try out P-61 Black Widow (http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=78), but I think none are flyable. There are several Mustangs, Spitfires, Bf-109s and Zeroes out there -- for a price.

[jetsetter]

Migs are cheap.

[Bugalugs]

*******!

[jetsetter]

*******!

x2 :slap:

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

I'm pretty sure that any country that makes warbirds (UK, US, Russia, France, Sweden) would be open to selling warbirds privatly provided that the purchase only included the airframe, engine and basic avionics.

[perdurabo]

Where would I find specific regulation on such thing, what type of model and how long do I have to wait. Specifically, I am just wondering if it would ever be possible to own and fly an F-14 or F-16 or F-15 some decades down the road. no problem but without war equipment you prabably already can buy F14 and F16 in erly versions from Davies Monthan(sp?)
i've seen starfighters, difrent MiGs even 29!, hunters etc...

[nognig]

I recall seeing old Vietnam-era F5's in private ownership. For an F16, etc, you'd probably have to wait until they are truly obsolete, AND have a couple million $$$ to spend. Of course, it goes without saying that you wouldn't be able to buy the "sparrow" and "sidewinder" accessory packages!This is the first I've heard of any aircraft -- such as the F-5 -- capable of breaking the sound barrier [and with an 8 mile+ service ceiling] available for private use. I would imagine that there are some heavy stipulations as to whom can operate it and under what circumstances.


Check out this link: link (http://www.pilotjournal.com/content/pastissues/easternskies.html)



Owning a jet warbird comes with some limitations.

"Actually," Rabino says, "it's not too bad, as long as you respect what they're up against with so many jets now coming into this country. The only flight restriction that applies—once you have your Letter of Authority from the FAA—is to fly within a 600-nautical-mile radius of operation from your home base. If you want to fly outside of that, you simply notify them by fax, which is not that big of a deal."


NN

[gaijinsamurai]

Personally, I'd love to have an F4U Corsair or maybe a Spitfire.
The guy who wrote the book "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" had an F-5 at one time, if I recall correctly.

[big_les]

Perfectly possible, but respective countries are usually quite antsy about anything too new. Here's a UK based operator:

http://www.goldenappleoperations.org/aircraft.htm

There's also a guy in Thunder City, SA, that flies English Electric Lightnings; awesome 1960s interceptor that went out of service in the late 80s. One of the operators here in the UK intended to fly an ex-RAF F4 Phantom a few years back, so something 3rd gen is probably feasible.

Rumours exist of an American chap that wants to fly a Harrier. Such things might be possible on the 'experimental' permits you use over there. (See the Me262 replicas that are being flown now.)

It'll be another ten or twenty years before you get that F-16 though ;)

[mi35d]

For the most part the aircraft available are foriegn purchased. The US has some odd laws about private ownership.

As for Davis Monthan, AFB, the aircraft there are not for sale. They remain in storage for use as spare parts or are recalled to service at some point.

[jetsetter]

Migs are pretty easy to get. Usually one on ebay.

[walford]

*******!x2 :slap:*sigh* ...ummm what were we talking about?

[Aces21]

I have a friend that retired from the Air Force a couple years ago and is now flying leer jets for a private company. The company just bought a Mig-17, a Mig-21, a F-4, and a F-104, so if you have the money to shell out down the road im sure you could most likely get a stripped down version of a 15 or a 16

[OnTheRocks]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4667&item=7523909226&rd=1

[Seiyuuki]

Thanks for all the info, now I got to wait for several decades and save up that money.

[usa320]

ive seen older F/A-18A's and a MiG-29 on sale on the interweb before... its doable, you just need to pass the proper checks and have millions to spend.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

I met a guy who owns an awesome F-86. There's also a guy who owns & is restoring a Starfighter. But these are older, dare I say "cheaper" aircraft. You'd have to own a multinational corporaton to pay for the upkeep on a dual engine modern aircraft like an F-15 etc.

[MEGR]

Can MP.net purchase a 747 so we can have get-togethers? I have 11 bucks in my wallet.

[walford]

Can MP.net purchase a 747 so we can have get-togethers? I have 11 bucks in my wallet.I think one of these would be more appropriate.
http://www.afa.org/magazine/aug2004/0804herc5.jpg
But a few of us should be kept away from the guns.

"Ha ha! Get some! Get some!"

"Lexi! No!"

[Flagg]

When I was taking flying lessons in 99/00 I met a guy with an airworthy L29 jet trainer, an airworthy F86 Sabre, and a pair of not-so airworthy MIG23s for sale.

His partner failed to survive a NJ airshow crash in the F86 soon after that. :|

[gaz]

A $100,000 (Non refundable) deposit gets you a shot at owning your very own F-18.

http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/Stick/FA18/973/973.htm

[Werewolf01]

I saw the F18 in the news not long ago. This has always been my dream list:

1. OV10 Bronco (I can get the Harleys in the back!)
2. F4 Phantom
3. B/A 26