Our CAF - Southern California Wing has just initiated a special program to introduce the public to the thrilling realm of experiencing flight in an authentic warbird, namely our North American SNJ-5 (AT-6) Texan.

For the price of $300, you can reserve your flight, or a flight for a loved one, with one of our highly qualified pilots for a memorable 20 minute ride - perhaps over the Ventura County coastline or along the edge of our northern mountains.

Flights are scheduled on Saturdays, depending upon the weather, and the availability of pilots.

To sign up for a ride in our Warbird Flight Program, call (805) 482-0064 and tell the CAF member you want to ride in an SNJ-5 Warbird. We accept credit cards.

For you, or for your loved one, it will be the thrill of a lifetime! Call us today at (805) 482-0064 to make your reservation.

© Dave Flood
Here are three of our first participants in the CAF - SoCAWing's Warbird Flight Program. From the top, Carolyn Duncan, Walt Fuller and Phil Harvey. Note the smiles on their faces!

© Photo Courtesy Phil Harvey
Here's our Warbird Flight pilot, Jason Somes (left) with Phil Harvey, one of the happy warriors who took flight on February 2.

You, too, can be smiling. Just pick up the 'phone and call (805) 482-0064 and sign up for a memorable flight in our user-friendly warbird. Or better yet, order a flight for your favorite uncle, or aunt, or son, or daughter, or husband, or wife, or.....you get the picture! We are ready to take you or your friend flying!

And don't forget to take your camera for those special photos that will help you remember your extraordinary flight!

Flights are scheduled on Saturdays, depending upon the weather, and the availability of pilots.

Our Warbird Flight Program got underway on Saturday, February 2, 2008. Although it was Groundhog Day, the shadow of our SNJ-5 Texan taking off from Camarillo Airport four times during the day with four very happy participants indicated clear skies ahead for our public ride program in an authentic warbird.

The Coordinator of the Warbird Flight Program, Bill O'Neill, was on hand to make sure that everything worked smoothly. The weather had been a question mark, but turned out beautifully, with blue skies all day. Our trusty Texan, the North American SNJ-5, performed admirably, and was just the right kind of airplane to make the participants comfortable and enthusiastic about their ride.

Jason Somes was our pilot, and did a fantastic job of putting the riders at ease. He went over the flight plan ahead of time with them, and told them they could choose where to go - either the mountain route or the shore route. He also assured them that if there was any problem and they wanted to return to the airport, he would do so immediately (none did - all stayed out the maximum time alloted). Several of the people remarked after the flight that Jason had helped to make it memorable for them.

Eric Lange was a huge help in getting the people up into the cockpit, and helping them with the harness, the canopy and the earphones.

The day ended with four very happy people who had experienced a ride in a WWII Trainer Warbird. Also breathing a sigh of relief and sporting a well-deserved glow of contentment was Bill O'Neill, who had put many hours into designing and carrying out the Warbird Flight Program.

This program looks like a winner, and bodes to be one which will add much-needed financial aid to the Wing's coffers.