You missed your chance.There was a Saab Gripen that sold on Ebay a few months ago complete with dummy weaponry for short money. Upkeep and fuel costs were a little steep.
You know, I was thinking ownership costs as I wrote that. I decided in my fantasy world where jets were being given away I'd save up and fly the thing once a year and it'd be totally worth it. Save & plan like a vacation, but burn it all in a few hours in the air. There's an airfield fairly close to my house that's reasonable on a piece of rented earth, and I think the runway would be enough. They've already got 1 small jet engine craft there.
Alas, there are complications. That I don't know how to fly a jet is a minor one, but one I'd overcome. I think the big one is that "short money" for a fighter jet is still sure to be big money to me. That house I just mentioned has been keeping remarkable tabs on my spending money. Some con about getting it back later...
Oh, and I live real close to Pease International Tradeport, formerly Pease Air Force Base. Those fake weapons would have to go!
You missed your chance.There was a Saab Gripen that sold on Ebay a few months ago complete with dummy weaponry for short money. Upkeep and fuel costs were a little steep.
You know, I was thinking ownership costs as I wrote that. I decided in my fantasy world where jets were being given away I'd save up and fly the thing once a year and it'd be totally worth it. Save & plan like a vacation, but burn it all in a few hours in the air. There's an airfield fairly close to my house that's reasonable on a piece of rented earth, and I think the runway would be enough. They've already got 1 small jet engine craft there.
Alas, there are complications. That I don't know how to fly a jet is a minor one, but one I'd overcome. I think the big one is that "short money" for a fighter jet is still sure to be big money to me. That house I just mentioned has been keeping remarkable tabs on my spending money. Some con about getting it back later...
Oh, and I live real close to Pease International Tradeport, formerly Pease Air Force Base. Those fake weapons would have to go!
Yeah, I live close to Beale AFB and they might not take kindly to anything that looks like a real weapon. It would be a [censored] to get shot down by our own Air Force. The guy that owns that 1946 P-80 is real careful not to fly anywhere near the base. I think that the once a month flights are all he can afford. Next time I see him I might just pedal over to the airport and see if I can catch him after landing. I got nailed by base security on my bicycle for taking pictures of the base from a 'PUBLIC' road. Those Homeland Security guys take themselves way too seriously. Bill Baka
Alas, there are complications. That I don't know how to fly a jet is a minor one, but one I'd overcome. I think the big one is that "short money" for a fighter jet is still sure to be big money to me. That house I just mentioned has been keeping remarkable tabs on my spending money. Some con about getting it back later...
I remember reading a test drive of a Mig-29 in a local car mag in the 90's. This is in Finland. The guys drove across the Russian border to a Red Army air force base and after a couple of thousand USD changed pockets one of the journalists took off in a twin-seater Mig-29 with a Russian pilot. He got the stick once they were safely in the air, without any prior flying experience.
Summary was something like this:
Plus: Acceleration, top speed, looks Minus: Fuel consumption, engine noise, seats only two
I guess somebody was ripped off because it was so cheap, and I'm pretty sure it couldn't happen anymore.
Alas, there are complications. That I don't know how to fly a jet is a minor one, but one I'd overcome. I think the big one is that "short money" for a fighter jet is still sure to be big money to me. That house I just mentioned has been keeping remarkable tabs on my spending money. Some con about getting it back later...
I remember reading a test drive of a Mig-29 in a local car mag in the 90's. This is in Finland. The guys drove across the Russian border to a Red Army air force base and after a couple of thousand USD changed pockets one of the journalists took off in a twin-seater Mig-29 with a Russian pilot. He got the stick once they were safely in the air, without any prior flying experience.
Summary was something like this:
Plus: Acceleration, top speed, looks Minus: Fuel consumption, engine noise, seats only two
I guess somebody was ripped off because it was so cheap, and I'm pretty sure it couldn't happen anymore.
Antti
If I remember that Mig-29 would top mach 3 even if only until the motor burned out or the fuel ran out. It could almost touch an SR-71, but not according to a few retired pilots I know. Bill (living by the home of the SR-71, Beale AFB) Baka
