L-39 or Spitfire?

At what point is a spitfire $7200/hr to operate?

I bet the anp still only gets $20/hr GA rate lol
 
pfarber said:
At what point is a spitfire $7200/hr to operate?

I bet the anp still only gets $20/hr GA rate lol
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At the point where the guy that owns it and the guy that wants to fly in it both agree on it.

As a thought exercise, what do you suppose the insurance costs on a spitfire are when used for hire?
 
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Is the Spitfire in the US? It sounds fun. There used to be one here but I haven't heard about one lately. Please let me know. Thanks
 
I've never flown a Spitfire - but have flown a L-39. The only airplane more fun than the L-39 was a Marchetti SF260. I can't know, of course, but suspect the L-39 roll rate is higher than the Spit, since U.S. and Brit WWII fighter designs didn't put a premium on that. If you plan some acro you might like the L-39 more. If it's the cool factor, then the Spit.

Check out https://aircombat.com/flights/ for time in the Marchetti - the one-versus-one adds a whole nuther level of fun!
 
In 2002 I got to fly in the back of an L-39 in formation with my brother and sister who were in the back seat of two other L-39s at Oshkosh. It was a wonderful experience because I got to share it with them and get some formation stick time as well.

Here’s the kicker: it was $250 for each of us.

I remember the L-39 was beautifully sensitive in the controls compared to anything I had ever flown. But the acceleration on takeoff was a bit underwhelming.

But a SPITFIRE?! Oh man, I would choose that over almost any other airplane.
 
Many years ago, I went to Ukraine and flew the L-39. And the Su-25 and Mig-29.

I got to fly formation in the L-39 with my Dad in the other L-39. Cannot top that memory.
 
SFF. FSF. MFSF. Not sure which one gives it the right amount of emphasis.
 
WDD said:
They could probably use you over there now.......
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Possibly. The place I flew them has not been part of Ukraine since the last Russian incursion.
 
40YearDream said:
What - no tailwheel (Spit) vs. tricycle (L-39) debate yet? Gotta get that feud going!
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Personally, I solve that problem by flying both. (Not Spits and L-39s, though!)
 
I'm staying out of the tailwheel side of the question because warbirds are an exception to the "real men fly taildraggers" rule.

But I'm not going to back down from the Spitfire opportunity here. How many documentaries about the L-39 and the battles that it won can you watch with your grandkids and say "I got to fly one of those once"?
 
Again, the question is, do YOU get to FLY it? Or just RIDE in it.
 
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