MiGs Over Moscow: FAQ on Fighter Jet Flights
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Do I have to be a pilot?
No. Our customers range from experienced pilots to those who have
never flown before.
Are there age restrictions?
Yes. Typically, one must be between the ages of 18 and 70 to fly. Rare
exceptions may be made.
 Will
I get to fly the plane?
Yes, each plane features dual controls. Your Russian pilot will demonstrate
a maneuver and then invite you to repeat it. Obviously, the more flying
experience you have, the more you will be able to control the plane
during complex maneuvers. The amount of stick-time can also depend on
the selected flight profile.
Can I fly more than one jet? Definitely! You can fly more than one
MiG at the Sokol Base and you can add an L-39 flight near Moscow. You
can also add a detailed tour of Star City, home to the Yuri Gagarin
Cosmonaut Training Center.
What does the pre-flight medical involve?
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire answering general questions
about your medical history that will be presented to the air base doctor
prior to your arrival in Russia. It is also mandatory that you are examined
by your own medical practitioner and certified fit to complete this
adventure. Anyone over the age of 40 is required to present evidence
of a recent EKG/ECG and based on the opinion of air base doctors, may
be asked to provide additional information or undergo additional testing.
Doctors are concerned with any existing condition that may be aggravated
by the stress of a flight. Potential problems include excessively high
blood pressure, heart trouble, kidney stones and gallstones. At the
base in Russia, your blood pressure may be checked and you may be asked
to ride an exercise bike, etc.
How long are the flights?
Typical flights are 40 to 45 minutes from start to finish. Some may
be slightly shorter or longer, depending on the jet and adventure purchased.
Ask your sales representative for more information.
Can I bring my camera?
No. You'll get lots of great digital photos of your flying adventure
as part of your package but regulations say that they must be taken
by the airbase's professional photographer. This means you can focus
on the excitement of flying and leave the picture-taking to a professional!
Most packages also include a professionally-edited video of your adventure
that is shipped to you shortly after your fighter jet flight.
What kind of clothing do I need?
You'll want to wear comfortable clothing suited to the time of year,
and take a complete change of clothes (including underwear) along with
you. Flying fighter jets is sweaty business. After your flight, we think
you'll want to take advantage of the shower in the locker room and change
into clean, dry clothes. You'll need to wear sturdy boots during the
flight itself for safety reasons, but the base can loan you a pair.
They'll also fit you with a helmet and flight suit. If you'd like to
purchase a personalized flight suit you can take home with you, let
us know in advance.
Who are the pilots?
Our pilots are among the top test pilots in Russia. They are employed
by the Nizhny Novgorod Aircraft Plant Sokol to test planes. Bios of
our main pilots can be found on our Pilots Page.
What and where is Sokol?
All Incredible Adventures flights take place at the Sokol Plant in the
city of Nizhny Novorod. The Sokol Aircraft Building Plant has been building
MiGs for over 70 years and employs almost 8000 people. Nizhny is Russia's
third largest city and has a population of over 2 million. The town
is about 400 km east of Moscow and used to be called Gorky. We will
make arrangements to get you there the night before your flight(s) by
train and you'll return after your flight(s) by commercial airline.
If you'd rather begin and end your trip in Nizhny Novgorod and never
visit Moscow, let us know and we can provide you with a custom itinerary
and pricing.
How do I obtain Security Clearance?
No one can enter the base without security clearance. To obtain clearance,
the following information must be provided to Incredible Adventures
no less than 45 days prior to your desired flight date: full name, passport
number, passport expiration date, citizenship, occupation.
What else can I do in Moscow?
Moscow is an ancient city with a history of more than 950 years. This
is of course the capital of the country and center of Russian culture.
The fine art galleries and historical and military museums are all worthy
of visits. A visit to the Kremlin is almost mandatory. If you come during
the theater season our staff will do their best to get tickets to the
Bolshoi or Kremlin Ballet or perhaps to the Moscow Circus if you wish.
Today's Moscow is an exciting city with a wide array of clubs, restaurants,
casinos, theatres, sporting events, theaters and shops to choose from.
Although the city is now among the most expensive in the world, you
will have no problem finding restaurants to suit your personal taste,
be it McDonald's or the finest continental or Russian cuisine. Our staff
will be happy to provide you with other suggestions for your free time.
E-mail
or call Incredible Adventures today for a full color brochure, schedules,
details and rates: 800 644-7382
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