Posted on 12/14/2010 9:15:30 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
First Flight in the World of a Privately Owned MiG-29 Fulcrum by Air USA in Quincy, Illinois; December 10th, 2010 at 10:00 AM
QUINCY, lll., Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- QUINCY REGIONAL AIRPORT-
Air USA made aviation history December 10th when they successfully flew the world's first flights of a MiG-29 Fulcrum in private hands. Don Kirlin, Naval Aviator and commercial airline pilot, is President and Founder of Air USA. Although Air USA deploys aircraft around the world, Air USA's headquarters are located at Quincy Regional Airport in Illinois. The flight marked the culmination of several years of effort by Air USA. "Believe it or not, it's not easy getting a MiG-29 into the United States and flying. 'Natasha' may be the first but we have three more," Kirlin smiles.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101213/LA16974-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101213/LA16974-b)
Ex-Air Force pilot and instructor, Fred "Spanky" Clifton, piloted the flights. A retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Clifton flew F-5's, F-15's and F-16's before becoming an exchange pilot flying MiG-29's with the German Luftwaffe.
Once the Mach 2.5 aircraft completes the required FAA authorization process, they will join Air USA's fleet of, Aero L39, L59, Alpha Jet and MiG-21 aircraft already in operation. This fleet of aircraft is used in a variety of dissimilar aircraft operations with the United States Military including live ordnance drops, air intercept training, air defense training, threat simulation, target towing, electronic attack as well as research and development. The MiG-29 remains the most dangerous enemy aircraft to US Troops around the world today. Air USA is the first private organization with the ability to provide this significant asset for training of our men and women in uniform.
Air USA was formed in 1994 and became very successful in importing, certifying, and providing over 50 foreign military tactical jet aircraft for customers throughout the United States. However, the heart of Air USA's business has been providing Commercial Air Services to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and Canadian Air Force through our Military Division, which was formed in 1999.
Since 2002, Air USA has deployed aircraft to multiple locations on the East Coast and the West Coast, as well as Canada, Hawaii, Okinawa, and Guam. Air USA has delivered a 98.7% mission completion rate, accident-free, while on assignments with our Military and corporate customers. Air USA's goal is to provide an array of cost-effective training services to our customers in order to enhance their combat readiness.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq92ZC5cYoM
SOURCE Air USA
AIR USA MIG-29 First Flight in the World of a Privately Owned MiG-29 Fulcrum by Air USA in Quincy, Illinois; December 10th, 2010 at 10:00 AM. (PRNewsFoto/Air USA, Pete Coggan) QUINCY, IL UNITED STATES
AIR USA MIG-29 First Flight in the World of a Privately Owned MiG-29 Fulcrum by Air USA in Quincy, Illinois; December 10th, 2010 at 10:00 AM. (PRNewsFoto/Air USA, Pete Coggan) QUINCY, IL UNITED STATES
Only in America, what a country!
Bottom line, how much for a ride Sir?
Since the plane was probably defanged....whats the point?
Airshows?
Not that it wouldn’t be fun.
Technically, the 2nd Amendment shouldn’t restrict the private possession of advanced jet fighters armed to the teeth.
About 25 years ago, as a birthday present, my wife bought me a 1/2 hour ride in a P-51 Mustang for the then-princely sum of $100. Her name was Rosalie (the plane, not my wife), and she had been purchased in pieces, out of Canada, if I recall correctly, by the local rural airport manager and reassembled.
The best $100 I ever frittered away.
Still looks like an F-15 twin-seater to me.
A hangar is a holster.
Mike
Right Before 9-11 I had been saving up for a backseat ride in and F-4 that was being offered for $400 at an upcoming airshow. Unfortunately after 9-11 the FAA wouldn’t let the guy take up passengers for pay. I can sorta understand, an F-4 on afterburners would be ugly. But I just missed my ride by a month.
Shoot, some of the men who wrote and ratified the Constitution owned fully armed warships. The “weapons of mass destruction” of their day.
Yep, John Hancock for one. Mind you, the presence of those wine barrels led the British to jump unfairly to the conclusion that he was a smuggler and confiscate Hancock’s schooner. It was pure coincidence. Innocent as a babe, ol’ Johnny. You betcha.
http://www.redair.net/about.php
About Red Air
Red Air is a U.S. Government Contractor that provides an impressive array of Tactical Services to the U.S. Defense Agencies, Defense Contractors and Foreign Governments. Our high performance aircraft and support team are capable of deploying and sustaining high paced operations for extended periods of time in order to meet our customer’s training needs.
Established
To address the Military Training Requirements in the time of shrinking budgets, fewer military aircraft and military aviators. (Downsizing)
Goal
To provide an array of cost-effective training services to the U.S. Defense Agencies, Defense Contractors, and Foreign Governments.
Mission
To enhance the combat readiness by providing electronic threat simulation and advanced air combat presentations.
Pilots
Military Tactical Aviators (Active duty, Reserve, Retired)
Combat Veterans, Fighter Weapon School (Top Gun) graduates.
Aircraft
Alpha Jet, Mig-29, L-59 Super Albatros.
I wish I could afford the fuel...let alone the jet.
Sweet post!
I saw a junked MIG off highway I-10 east of Dallas a few months back. Wondered if it were really a MIG or just bait for your money in some other junk there. Anyone else?
I can only imagine what it costs to keep that bird maintained and to fly it.
"Looks like an F-14 clone..."
But it's smaller, more like an F-16B/D
Robert Morris had a whole fleet, until he was forced to mortgage them to the French to supply the army at Valley Forge.
Died a pauper, he did, in worldly terms. Although personally I think he died very rich, if you know what I mean.
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