Can the general public get a ride in an F-15?

Factual Questions
1

Does the Air Force have a public relations program that allows the general public to get rides in jets such as F-15s? I’ve seen countless news articles where reporters get rides. Presumably security would be tighter after 9/11, but is it still possible?

Thanks,

Len

2

I didn’t see any F-15s listed, but here’s a listing of a few places where you can get a ride in a jet fighter.

3

There’s no written policy, as in, “If you meet X requirements and give us X money, you can ride in an F-15!”. Basically, you’ll have to petition the Air Force, and someone will have to decide if it’s a good idea or not.

And they’re not going to, unless there’s something in it for them. That means you had better either be a decision-maker in a company they want to do business with, or a reporter, or a big movie star, or something like that.

Flying an F-15 is expensive, and it takes a lot of effort to train someone even for a short ride. If they were offering flights to the public, my guess is that a half-hour ride would probably cost you $20,000.

If you want to fly in a modern fighter, head over to Russia. They have several programs over there for doing just this. You can fly in anything right up to the latest front-line fighters. But it’s big bucks. I think even the older fighters are something like $8,000 for a ride.

4

Just to fill in a few reasons why it costs so much. Of course there is the cost of just the flight itself which is plenty. But before you can go up you need a complete physical by the Air Force, altitude chamber training, fitting for a G-suit, training in the use of oxygen equipment, training in the ejection seat procedure, training in the use of the intercom and general flight procedures. There is probably something I’ve forgotten. Oh yes, and you need to sign a “hold harmless” agreement that relieves the AF of responsibility for your safety, barring negligence on their part.

5

Harder than you might think. I’m IN the Air Force, and I can’t get a ride in an F-15. Usually the wing reserves those rides, called “incentive rides” for winners of Airman or NCO of the Quarter award winners. The other ways are 1) become a pilot/navigator or 2) be famous (a tennis pro works, IIRC)

mike