Aerial Collective Duxford Avis 

Wow! That was a lifelong ambition fulfilled - in style.
There are quite a few places in the UK, where ordinary mortals can now fly a Spitfire. Long may it continue! I could have flown anywhere, but I chose the Aerial Collective at Duxford, not just because it was the most convenient airfield for me, but also because of their very strong reputation. I was not disappointed. I was able to fly in to Duxford in my (syndicate) aircraft, which is in itself a special experience. The landing fee was waived (thank you!) and I was free to enjoy the Duxford ambience until my flight time. The Spitfire flight itself was - of course - exhilarating: flying over former RAF airfields, my son's workplace and my house, plus aerobatics. I got a fair bit of stick time, thanks to the pilot David "Rats" Ratcliffe. For me, it was almost surreal, looking out at those iconic elliptical wings, racing over the English countryside at three times the speed of a light aircraft. It was all over too soon, but the memories will last a lifetime. And the video of me rolling the Spitfire has given me serious bragging rights! A really nice touch was the huge fuss that all of the Aerial Collective team made of my 4-year old grandson: he was allowed not only to see the aircraft, but to get up close and personal with it. He too was beaming from ear to ear when we left.
Thank you all, especially Callum, Dan, Jack, Kay, Lisa and Rats, plus all of the engineers who keep these iconic aircraft flying.

A truly magnificent and memorable flight in the only flying Bristol Blenheim anywhere in the world. My father had flown in them during WW2 so doubly special.
The team were, without exception, delightful, extremely helpful and couldn't have been more helpful.
As well as the flight, I have a video of the event which will become a family heirloom.
I can't recommend the Aerial Collective team highly enough.

My Spitfire flight started by being met at the main entrance of the IWM Duxford and being escorted through with my guests to the Aerial Collective dispersal area. After the formalities and in-depth safety briefing was completed, it was time to get dressed up with flying suit, gloves, helmet and goggles and meet my pilot. My pilot was a super young gentleman called Simon Collins. What was so nice I thought was his first words to me were " what would you Roland want to get out of today". Nothing was too much trouble for him. No question was too stupid. He had time to put you at ease, answer your questions and explain all that was to be one of the highlights of my live. My guests were looked after at the AC dispersal area with drinks and cake whilst I walked with pilot and crew to board my Spitfire. I was so lucky that another person was flying in another Spitfire at the same time so we arranged to take off and land in formation. Aerobatics are and were fantastic, Cubans, Half Cubans, Barrell rolls and Victory rolls, but to fly in formation, close enough you feel to touch another Spitfire is awesome . The Spitfire is a thing of beauty on the ground on it's wheels, but in the air with gear up it morfs onto another level. Doing what it was meant to do. Your mind drifts away to the young pilots of the WW2 Battle of Britain fighting at close quarters three and four sorties a day. What bravery from such young men. I was given the chance to take the controls for ten minutes or so , after which Simon put the Spit through its paces completing a full series of aerobatics. (Be sure your tummy can take it!) Then we met up again with our other Spitfire and completed a low level fly by over Duxford breaking over our guest to line up onto finals. As we were second to land, Simon asked if I fancied a final Victory Roll at low level. Well of course!!! That was epic, then into landing completing my bucket list flight. I can't say enough about how good Simon and all the team were at Aerial Collective. Nothing was too much trouble and there was no rush to leave. We were invited to stay all day if we wished watching more of the war birds coming and going. My videos are fantastic and we must have taken over a hundred photos with and around our Spit with Simon afterwards. Do I recommend this.. WELL OF COURSE!!! ...This review appears to be by Rowena Talbot. But in fact it is by her husband Roland Talbot

My wife and I had our third Spitfire formation flight on 9th July when we went down to the White Cliffs of Dover and the Battle of Britain memorial. We still can’t get over how great it is to fly in such iconic aircraft. Acceleration at takeoff is phenomenal and rolls and loops are something else. The pilots and ground crew are just great and with the museum it makes for an unforgettable day.

Still walking (flying) on air from my flight experience. The flight in a Spitfire was magical and thrilling in equal measure. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to fly in such a legendary aeroplane. Just flying straight and level was wonderful but then the aerobatics began... wow!

Everyone my wife and I encountered during our time at Aerial Collective was kind, helpful and professional. Greeted by the friendly lady on reception, then a run through of the safety briefing with Bethany. We were made to feel very welcome during the wait for my flight by Bethany, Callum and CJ. Not to mention Mike the pilot who chatted about the flight and what I'd like to get out of the experience.

Taking control of a Spitfire several times and especially over Dover's coastline is something I will never, ever, forget. Not forgetting the 'victory roll' over the Battle of Britain memorial which was a very touching and fitting thing to do.

The included video footage was a real bonus and often something that is an extra cost at other operators.

Thank you to all at Aerial Collective for a truly wonderful experience.

There was no hesitation in writing this review. This was and most likely will be the best decision of my life. This experience was surreal and all the staff were exceptional in there attentive, unobtrusive way. (Thanks guys). Mike and stu, two exceptional guys and great pilots. the stories and experiences with the planes were really brought to life through you. This was more than my dreams hoped. If you are wanting an exceptional day and memories made, book with these guys.

A boys own annual dream come true!
There truely aren’t enough words to describe a flight in such a legendary icon of the sky.
From start to finish Jack and the team at Aerial Collective were outstanding.
From the moment you start the process on line your dealing with true professionals.
The booking process is easy.
Then I received the info package in a 1940’s style official letter.
Located at the IWM at RAF Duxford adds to making the whole day an immersive experience
The follow-up phone calls prior to the flight kept me up to date on the process.
The pre briefings, staff exchanges all great.
The pilot Dave ‘Rats’ Radcliffe is a great instructor who guides you thru the flite with ease allowing you to fly an 80 year old icon with confidence an joy
The after event packages are a treasure
The film recording is a memory for life
Aerial Collective have got it perfect
Thanx

Simply grand!
A great deal of care went into every detail to ensure that each step of the experience, from beginning to end, was nothing short of exceptional.

Welcome and ground crew introduction: The welcome was very warm. Each person was made to feel at ease, and the entire team was genuinely hospitable.

Security briefing: The objective was to ensure that every participant clearly understood the potential risks and how to respond should any situation arise. The information was presented in a very clear and structured way, with sufficient time dedicated to each aspect. All questions were thoroughly addressed.

Pilot meeting and pre-flight discussion: This session focused on managing expectations. The pilot explained the planned aircraft manoeuvres, starting gently and progressively building up to more complex evolutions such as loops and barrel rolls.

Flight: Take-off and landing were executed perfectly. Instructions such as “I have control” and “You have control” were very clear, and communication remained continuous throughout the flight. There was also a brief opportunity for the guest to take the controls, acting on the yoke (ailerons) to bank left and right, and to adjust pitch up and down.

Post-flight debriefing: A short debrief was held with the pilots to review the manoeuvres performed. The excitement of the flight itself somewhat overshadowed this part of the experience.

Was it worth it? Absolutely. The pilots, Andy and Simon, were extremely professional, making the flight and its evolutions appear almost effortless. The ground crew were outstanding in ensuring comfort and reassurance throughout the entire experience.

I would like to thank the entire Aerial Collective team for providing such an incredible and truly memorable experience.

Aerial Collective were great from the moment I contacted them. The ticket package was top quality. When they say they will call you they do. They were great, polite, understanding, professional and interested in what you wanted to experience. The cam footage is fantastic quality and included in the package. The flight itself was an amazing experience with a thoughtful pilot. The ground team looked after my guests really well. I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Flew in the only two seater Hurricane in the world! What an amazing experience. The pilot, Mike, is a superstar - we flew in tandem with a Spitfire for a while before we headed north to Lincolnshire and flew over RAF Coningsby.
I took control of the aircraft for much of the flight and we flew some aerobatics - in an aircraft built in 1942!
My wife waited in the (air conditioned) and was very well looked after by the ground crew. The go-pro footage was great quality - the sound did not come across too well but one of the ground crew video'd our flypast and landing and captured the Merlin beautifully.
It was such a privilege to ride in this wonderful machine.

From arrival at Duxford and having the entry tickets included, it gave us a great opportunity to have a look around.
Then after being greeted at Ariel Collective Duxford reception and having a very informative briefing we were taken to a private waiting, viewing area and made very welcome and comfortable, it seemed everything was taken care of! Hot drinks cold drinks, cakes, even when the sun appeared we were offered sun screen, my wife and friends were really impressed ☺️
After meeting a calming, experienced pilot “Mike Collet” and a second briefing, I was kitted up and we were ready to go, getting in and out of the Spitfire was all taken care of by the team, using steps, then after a roar starting the engine and we taxied to the runway, take off was smooth and we immediately headed for a clear spot in the clouds, obviously the flight was weather dependent and with rain around, I was assured a good window of opportunity would be taken if possible and to my joy and excitement it was, after a few minutes airborne I was offered to take control which I did for around 10 minutes, everything explained by Mike and it was very smooth and extremely easy to fly (with no sudden movements) the Spitfire was extremely responsive 😊
Then Mike asked if I wanted any Aerobatics which was an absolute dream come true, we were in the area of St Neots by this time and over “Grafham Water” so Mike made a “spiral roll” and then a “barrel roll” he said we were pulling a couple of “G” which I could feel in my body pressing into the seat followed by a sort of weightlessness on completion, the views were amazing, a real wow factor!
Then he completed a loop the loop pulling around “3G” it was fantastic, all the time keeping me updated on Speed, Altitude and location, he offered me the controls again, which I surprisingly declined, I preferred to just have a look around and take in the actual fact “I was in a WW2 Spitfire” all the controls, all the heritage, all the history, right there around me, words cannot express my excitement and satisfaction 😊
Then Mike asked if I wanted anymore Aerobatics, to which I replied nonchalantly “yeah go on then” it was far better than any rollercoaster, I was elated 😉
Then as in all good things, after a flypast Duxford waving to my wife, we landed, after an unrushed chat about the experience, I was presented with a goody bag 😀including a USB stick of the whole flight, taken from a Cockpit facial camera and a tail, front facing camera. Which plugs and played in a USB port on my smart TV! Also as advised, I made a copy onto my Laptop, a copy to another USB stick and a copy to an SD card😉
In fact the picture quality is that good I recorded some pictures and video on my phone from the TV screen, the sound is a bit crackly, but considering I was in PT462 a 27 litre V12 Rolls Royce powered WW2 Spitfire first manufactured in July 1944 it only adds to this amazing experience💕

Many Thanks to Jack, Lisa, Jonny, Beth, Callum, Mike and all the rest at The Ariel Collective Team Duxford”

A once in a lifetime experience in such a historic and iconic aeroplane. Everyone was pleasant and friendly making us feel very welcome. The pilots were brilliant and kept us fully informed at all times both on the floor and in the air

What an incredible experience, the team were so professional from collecting us at the entrance to taking us through to the air conditioned room with drinks, coffee and cakes. The briefing was clear and informative, the equipment was excellent and staff super helpful and friendly. It was a glorious sunny day and Dave (Rats) was a fantastic pilot, and gave a great commentary and was kind enough to fly over our golf course at Bury St.Edmunds. It was a one off memory that I and my family who attended will forever cherish. My thanks go to the Aerial Collective team for such a phenomenal experience, the video of the inboard and outboard camera footage was an extra bonus.

I visited with my Dad and his partner. My Dad had a 50 minute Spitfire flight. We were all incredibly well looked after by all members of the team on the day. Everyone was welcoming, friendly, enthusiastic, and took the time to chat to us and answer any questions.

I had a great time flying the spitfire experience. I was able to fly in formation and do some amazing aerobactics. Everyone was friendly and nice. This was absolutely a bucket list and once in a lifetime experience. Well worth every minute.

An absolutely fantastic experience from an exceptionally professional company. Everything from arranging the flight, being welcomed at Duxford, the briefing, to the flight itself was handled brilliantly. The whole team on the day, made it such a special experience. The Spitfire flight with Andy was incredible. Being able to say I've flown a Spitfire is priceless, and the various aerobatics flown be Andy superb.
A first rate experience, from a first rate organisation.

Genuinely cant think of anything remotely negative to say about the day, and the whole experience. All the staff were incredibly helpful and reassuring. Safety briefing and equipment were all top notch (thankfully didn't test the parachute :) ) Mike, my pilot , was superb, and flying the 2 seater Hurricane was something never to forget. And through a combination of luck, timing, and Jack managing to reschedule my flight time, i got the bonus of flying in formation with Spitfire MH434 and seeing it do a roll over the top of my canopy .. If you can do it (and i realise its not cheap) but just do it anyway !!

I was very impressed by the professionalism of the company and its representatives who made me and my family feel so welcome from the moment we arrived until the time that we left.
Every detail had been thought of from the briefing to the actual flight and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to other people.

I had a memorable flight in Spitfire J for Johnny (Walker) on Tuesday morning, the weather was beautiful and the sky was clear. The whole experience was memorable, from the knowledge and friendliness of both the groundcrew and pilots, to the amazing flight alongside another Spitfire. I was treated to barrel rolls, loops and most memorable, a few victory rolls. I was even allowed to take control for a few gentle manoeuvres. A huge vote of thanks to all involved for making me feel very special, and I hope to see you again.

They promised a perfect and premium experience - and they delivered. It was classy and professional from start to finish. I'd dreamt my whole life of flying the Spit - and I can honestly say that Aerial Collective made my dream come true. I would HIGHLY recommend these dream makers!