Take flight over Virginia Beach in our 1941 Stearman
Experience the ultimate thrill by taking flight in one of our beautifully restored, original, WWII aircraft. With the wind in your face, and the roar of the engine in your ears, turn your day-dreams into reality at the Military Aviation Museum.
Whether you are aiming for the Ultimate Sight-Seeing Experience, or you are a photographer looking for a birds-eye view, the open-cockpit Stearman ride offers something for everyone.
The Open-Cockpit offers a sense of freedom and adventure when flying in these iconic aircraft that can’t be replicated.
Book early to reserve your day and flight time.
Flights are available on weekends only, from Mid-April through September.
Biplane Ride
1941 Stearman
$350 Regular / $330 For Members
Ready your goggles, helmet and white flying scarf for a flight in the museum’s 1941 Boeing Stearman PT-17 Kaydet. Breathe in the fresh ocean air as you soar the skies over Virginia Beach in the open-cockpit with an experienced Warbird pilot seated behind you.
The Stearman takes you into the air just as it did for Army Air Corps Aviation Cadets over 80 years ago! As a primary trainer, the aircraft was designed to be stable, and capable, specially designed to introduce would-be pilots to flying! Two way communication is available, allowing you to learn more about the Stearman while you are flying.
The Experience
Each Stearman Flight Experience lasts for 30 minutes, which includes 20 minutes of flying time, departing from our grass runway. Prior to takeoff, passengers will receive a briefing on the history of the aircraft, as well as its safety features, and learn how to utilize the seatbelt correctly. Military Aviation Museum Admission is included for the rider.
Schedule your ride now
Or Buy a Gift Certificate for Someone Special!
Your ride certificate is good for 12 months from purchase date. It is transferable but non-refundable. The recipient of the gift certificate is responsible for contacting the Military Aviation Museum to schedule the flight either by phone at (757) 721-7767 or email at giftshop1@aviationmuseum.us.
A Memory That Will Last Forever
ADD AN INFLIGHT VIDEO
Relive the excitement of your Stearman ride anytime you want to, or share it with your friends! Purchase the inflight video, after your flight, to receive a memory card with your flight experience recorded on it. The camera is installed in a special mount on the wing, and it is directed back towards your seat in the cockpit, to capture every exciting moment, and every candid reaction! The video option costs $60 plus tax and can only be purchased on the day of your ride at the Museum Gift Shop.
CRITICAL INFORMATION
FOR FLIGHT PASSENGERS
Each passenger must be at least 12-years-old. All passengers must be able to get in and out of the aircraft unassisted. The passenger must be able to fit in the seat, operate their own seatbelt, and must be able to respond to instructions from the pilot during the flight.
The weight limit is 300 lbs for passengers on a flight. Additionally, passengers must be able to fly the duration of the ride without external medical devices (i.e. oxygen tanks etc). In the interest of safety, the staff or pilot may make the decision that it is unsafe to fly a passenger, at which point the museum will refund all ride fees.
Riders or their Guardians will be required to complete a Flight Passenger Assumption of Risk, Waiver of Liability, and Release of All Claims prior to boarding the aircraft.
The Purchase of a Ride includes an admission to the Museum for the rider. Additional visitors who wish to be out on the ramp, or around to get up-close with the airplane, will need to purchase Museum admissions.
If you want to watch a rider without purchasing an admission, you may do so from the Dinosaur Park.
Arriving for your ride on time is vitally important. We suggest all riders plan to arrive at the Museum 20-minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their ride. Riders who are not checked in at their scheduled ride time will not be rescheduled, or refunded.
We reserve the right to refuse the flight due to limitations that would adversely impact your safety, the flight, or the crew, such as height and weight, physical or mental impairments, health complications, or any other issues that the management or pilot deems a risk. If a ride is refused on the basis of pilot judgement, the Museum will issue a full refund for the ride.
Rides are transferable, but not refundable. If the Museum has to cancel a ride due to weather, maintenance or pilot judgement, it will be offered for refund or reschedule.
We will work to accommodate rescheduling as much as we can, if you need to reschedule, or transfer your ride please call the Museum store as soon as possible. At least two weeks in advance of your intended ride is preferred.
Gift certificates are valid for 12 months from purchase date. It is transferable but non-refundable. The recipient of the gift certificate is responsible for contacting the Military Aviation Museum to schedule the flight either by phone at (757) 721-7767 or email at giftshop1@aviationmuseum.us.
Airplane Ride FAQs
How do I get the Most out of my Ride?
Arriving early means you will be able to make the most of your visit to the Museum while you wait for the aircraft to be prepared. Being flexible is the best way to avoid disappointment due to weather! Weather is beyond anyone’s control, but if you have already planned to spend your day with us, you can try to wait some of it out, in hopes of getting in the air later in the day.
The view from inside the airplane is one thing, but family members with cameras on the ground can capture your takeoff and landing at the Museum! If your pilot knows you have cameras on the ground, he may try to get you an extra pass overhead for photos!
You are welcome to bring your own flying clothes if you have them and want to wear them, Flight Suits are provided on request, however most guests are comfortable with long pants, close toed shoes and a light jacket. A headset with a microphone will be provided for you.
For one thing, you get to see the Museum and the surrounding areas of rural Virginia Beach on your ride. The farm fields, trees and lush grass make for a stunning view from above. The ride will also take you over the wetlands of the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, down the North Landing River, past the Pungo Ferry Bridge. You will see the Atlantic meeting the Virginia Coast when the ride heads out to the False Cape State Park, and along the coast to Sandbridge.
Your ride aircraft is operated under the supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Military Aviation Museum is registered with the FAA to conduct Air Tour Operations. As a standard category aircraft, the Stearman is maintained by professional mechanics to the standards high standards required by its type certificate. Participation in the Air Tour Program also requires all pilots and mechanics who work on, or fly, the aircraft to be routinely tested for drugs and alcohol.
For anyone who owns a car, the pain at the pump is a well-known phenomenon! Our Stearman burns 100LL Aviation Gas, and that generally runs between $6.50 and $7.50 per gallon. Full, the airplane holds 45 gallons of this specialized fuel, and while it can do a couple of rides on a single tank, those fill-ups cost around $300 each.
Additionally, the aircraft requires routine oil refills, and we also maintain a reserve for propeller and engine maintenance, since the lifespan of these components is limited by the number of hours they put on each year. There is more!
We also have the fixed costs of maintaining the airfield, as our airport receives no Federal Funding or support, and of course insurance for the airfield and aircraft. So what is the bottom line?
With the airplane flying an average of 122 hours per year, it has a per-hour operating cost of just over $600. Our ride pricing is calculated to cover this cost, so your ride purchase helps us keep this historic airplane flying!
Unfortunately there is only a single seat available in the aircraft for a passenger. Although it seats two, the second seat is for the pilot, who flies the airplane from the back seat. During WWII the trainee sat in the front seat, and that is where we position our riders today!
We do not offer aerobatic flights because, above all, these aircraft are Museum pieces. We consider them flying artifacts, and our pilots fly the airplanes with thought towards their preservation long term. This is not to suggest that all aerobatics are dangerous, quite to the contrary! However, these kinds of maneuvers can put additional stress on airframes and engines, potentially reducing their longevity.
Generally the answer here is no. Our Ride aircraft fly a prescribed route, and it is uncommon for your house to be directly in the path of the flight. Because of the Military facilities and urban areas that surround us, the airplane is not free to fly all over Hampton Roads, and must stick to this chosen path. However, if you routinely see our airplane overhead from your back yard and want to try and spot your house, you are welcome to discuss it with your pilot.
Because our pilots rotate between them for duty weekends, we cannot confirm a particular pilot at the time of booking. All of our pilots are FAA Certified Commercial Pilots, who have hundreds of hours of experience. Many are currently airline pilots, many are former military, and others fly private jets all over the world. If you want to know more about your pilot on the day of the ride, please feel free to ask them about their background and experiences!
Ride Reviews
I can say first hand, it's a great flight and something you will remember and want to do again.
– Dany Ayers, 2024
Had a great ride a couple of years ago. bucket list item that I'm contemplating a second bucket. Fantastic time!
– Dave Kingsley, 2022
I took a breath taking flight in the 1941 Boeing Stearman biplane owned by the museum. The open cockpit plane provided stunning views of the Back Bay region of south Virginia Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. The grounds crew and pilot were very professional and made the whole event a lifetime experience. I highly recommend this opportunity for one’s self or as a gift.
- Michael R, 2024
