By Scott Thompson of Aero Vintage.
As the spring and summer flying and airshow season gets underway, it’s nice to see all three of the actively flying B-17s in the U.S. these days have Living History Flight Experience (LHFE) tours or shows announced. The LHFE is an FAA-sanctioned program that allows qualified museums to offer rides in vintage warbirds to the general public as a bit of an exception to the normal operating rules for these old aircraft. The LHFE programs go a long way in keeping these B-17s in the air as a way to offset the cost of just flying these bombers period. With the price of high-octane aviation fuel jumping faster than auto fuel, one wonders how much longer it will be economically viable to keep flying these airplanes. Besides the direct operating costs, such things as maintenance and insurance costs have also skyrocketed. So, if any readers are interested…this might be the year. Do be aware, though, that these are old airplanes…you are not taking a commercial airliner…so weather maintenance and other factors may modify the schedules available below.
The Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) B-17G Sentimental Journey (44-83514/N9323Z) has announced its Flying Legends of Victory tour dates beginning on April 3 at Chino, California, and extending through August 18 at Akron, Ohio. Most of the dates are in the southeastern and eastern U.S., plus a few Canadian dates. Check out the schedule here. Rides are being sold in the B-17 as well as the CAF’s B-25 and C-47.
The Yankee Air Force’s B-17G, Yankee Lady (44-85829/N3193G), based at Ypsilanti Airport near Detroit, Michigan, has a schedule posted for the spring and summer months with appearances mostly in Michigan and Ohio. Appearances start on June 8 in Reading, Pennsylvania, and extend through August 11 in Muskegon, Michigan. No doubt more dates will be added. B-17 flights are $550 per person…no aircraft location is specified. Discounts are made of Yankee Air Museum members.
Also actively flying is the Erickson Aircraft Collection B-17G, Ye Olde Pub (44-8543/N3701G). It has a few appearances scheduled for the summer in which they will be offering rides in the B-17. The first posted dates are June 15-16 at the Olympic (Washington) airshow, with subsequent dates announced at Wenatchee, Washington, on June 21-22. No doubt additional dates will be posted as they are arranged. Thirty-minute flights B-17 flights are $525 per person. Check this page on the Erickson Aircraft Collection website.
The Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17G, Aluminum Overcast (44-85740/N5017N), based at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, remains grounded for some long-term maintenance to correct a structural problem found during a routine inspection. We hope to see the airplane return to the skies and tour again in 2025.
Something Older than The B52 that Looks Good & is Still Flying! 👍🤣🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My kids bought me a ride on “Liberty Belle” some years back. Very lucky to have had the experience.
Come visit Winnipeg, MB http://www.royalaviationmuseu.com
A friend and I flew in the Aluminum Overcast at Osh Kosh 9 years ago. I’ll never forget it, once in a lifetime experience for me.
The should change the nickname to “Flying Coffin”. These planes belong in museums, not in the sky.
The aircraft design is safe, certified and legal. Recent accidents have been attributed to human error, maintenance failings, or are pending further investigation. There are no outstanding questions over the aircraft type’s safety overall. There are a number of B-17s in static museums, those flying are privately owned and follow the requirements to be able to be operated. We hope that clarifies your misunderstanding.
I would rather take a flight in any one of these B17s than even a short hop on a 737 MAX.
Well said Sir and let’s not forget that we are not flying over the Atlantic followed by Messerschmitts.
My dad’s boss at Westinghouse served as a navigator on a B24 and was shot down over Dresden Germany.The dedication and bravery of those men that served on the B-17 and 24s is amazing. I will honor them until I die.
Well stated. I was a 30 minute drive from Falcon Air Field in Mesa, AZ where B-17 Sentimental Journey was stationed. Visited many times, sent chills up my spine every time. My father was a navigator on B-24’s and then B-17’s; flew 35 missions successfully out of Mendelshom, England. Please keep all of them flying, the pride is immeasurable!!
Larry, there’s something missing in your bloodline. It’s America, anything is possible here and by the way over 40 in museums in the United States alone.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH EXPERIENCING WHAT THE GREATEST GENERATION EXPERIENCED FOR 35 MISSIONS!!!! THE UNKNOWN AND WONDERING IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT BACK!💥💥💥😱😱😱🤔💭
Well said
Do you think that the B-17s during WWII were much safer than the few still flying……at least no one will be trying to shoot you out of the sky. I flew on Nine-O-Nine……..it was an honor to be able to fly on it.
I also flew on 909, and that was one sad day in my life when I heard of it’s demise.
Sure, if you live close enough to visit a museum. My Dad is 89, he’d sure be irritated if I glued him to a rocking chair.
All of the ol War Birds should fly free. They tell a story when flying low overhead, The sound, size and wow were they slow. I didn’t notice any of those points when visiting SAC Air Museum in Ashland Ne.
Even the SR 71 hanging from the entrance ceiling seemed slow.
The same could be said for your car. It’s a proven fact there are more fatal accidents per miles driven in a car than there are in miles flown by a B-17. In fact there are SO MANY automobile fatalities EVERY DAY in the US, that they rarely get reported on the news, but a single B-17 accident is SO RARE, it’s reported worldwide. I’d gladly fly in a B-17 over driving my car to the store👍
Then you should stay on the porch or go to a museum
Surprised there aren’t more direct replies yet to this brilliant two line dismissive from Larry C, but it’s so ridiculous that it actually made me laugh.
I’ve flown in one of these old B-17s, kind of in honor of my dad that was on B-17s in WWII before they put him on B-29s. This plane is one of the most rugged airplanes ever built and while you do have to seriously maintain these when they get very old like this, with dedication you can keep them safe and flying, which is a tribute to the men that originally built and flew on them and now a tribute to the airplane itself and the men that have kept just a few of them in the air.
Perhaps more importantly than even the rare safety issue is that these are a tremendous part of our history and our heritage.
To your comment about the B17 safety yes it’s old but people like my father flew 30 missions over Europe a number of times coming back shot up. The key is the plane brought them back. He was the bombardier in the nose of the plane and managed to survive so I think just taking a ride should be ok. These men all heroes barely spoke about what they did. Beautiful airplane built to last and protect.
Will they be coming to Philadelphia
This is the information we have. Contact the organization direct for more.
Glad to see these beautiful ladies active again and the opportunities to experience flying in them to the public still happening.
Interested in riding in the B17 Flying Fortress. Near Las Vegas or in Ut
When is B17 Flying Fortress schedule to be posted
Hiya I’m from UK but love all the old planes go to see b17 Sally b as much as I can in the summer months would love to come to the US and have a fly in one
I had the honor of walking through the Memphis Belle a few years ago, and gave her a good long walk around last fall in Dayton Ohio, and if you could take it off from a Walmart parking lot, I’d gladly be on her.
On Sept 8 1944 staff Sgt Roy Manssen whom was in the 379th AAF Bomber Group was on a mission to Germany to bomb ball bearing factories,fuel depots and military producing factorys when his plane suffered a direct hit and blew up in mid air. He was only 18 and a member of my family. Now he is flying in God’s Air Force. Thank u for giving your life for your Country and freedoms we so enjoy today.