Memorial Day weekend flight experiences take off at Farmingdale's Airpower Museum

If you are craving some airplane action this Memorial Day weekend because the FourLeaf Jones Beach Air Show has been moved to Fourth of July weekend, head over to the American Airpower Museum where you can get a chance to ride in a World War II-era aircraft.

The Farmingdale museum will run its Warbird Flights program May 22 and 23. "These are living history opportunities allowing passengers to take a step back in time and get a true feel for what it was like to fly in these vintage planes," says Scott Clyman, the museum's director of operations. "All of our ride aircrafts will be flying and we will have more opportunities to fly than we usually do to kick off the summer."

FLIGHT TRIO

There are three different flight experiences available, starting at $195 per person. Spectators can pay $20 for viewing and entrance to the museum. The planes take off from Republic Airport in Farmingdale from Hangar 3 by the museum and travel to the North Shore over Northport or the South Shore by Bay Shore. Photo ops with the planes are available before and after the flight.

Take a ride on the North American AT-6D Texan, which was an aircraft used as a trainer for pilots before going into a bomber plane. It contains an enclosed cockpit and seats one passenger in addition to the pilot. After the 20-minute flight, there’s a debriefing about the plane’s history.

"Throughout the flight, there will be intercom communication," Clyman says. "The pilot is talking the passenger through what is going on and pointing out sights to see."

Another aircraft available is the Waco UPF-7 biplane, which served as an advanced trainer that United States Army Air Force pilots rode before moving on to World War II fighters such as the P-40, P-51 and F4U Corsair. The plane, evoking the one Snoopy’s Red Baron character used, rocks an open cockpit on this 20-minute flight, which can hold an adult and a child.

"When the wind is in your face and your goggles are down, it’s truly the closest thing to the early days of flying," Clyman says.

The third plane available is the Douglas C-47 Skytrain Troop Transport, which carried troops into Europe for the first night of Operation Overlord, otherwise known as D-Day. It was used for medical evacuation and carrying supplies. The 15-minute flight can hold up to 10 passengers and replicates a paratrooping experience from the 1940s.

"There’s more interactive capability in the C-47 and the visibility is strong," Clyman says. "You can get up and walk around the aircraft to watch the pilots in the cockpit and see the navigator’s station."

PILOT DUTY

All the pilots are volunteers with professional aviation background of more than 30 years in the military and/or commercial airlines.

Dave Wigley, of Lake Grove, has been flying for the Warbird Flights program for 11 years, spent nine years in the Canadian Air Force and worked for American Airlines as a commercial pilot from 1991-2023.

"This is completely different from commercial flying or any civilian planes. It’s very rewarding," says Wigley, 67. "The experience is more than just flying an airplane; it’s a historical artifact. Each one has different quirks."

But Wigley warns that the volume can be intense.

"The C-47 has 1,200 horsepower revving close to your ears. But we provide noise canceling headsets," he says. "There’s a lot of power going on there."

SAFETY FIRST

Each participant goes through a safety briefing and flight requirements before every excursion, and all planes are checked before taking off.

"These aircrafts are constantly maintained to Federal Aviation Administration standards for the type of flying that we do therefore it’s perfectly safe," Wigley says. "These are historical artifacts that must be preserved."

When asked if people tend to get sick or scared, Clyman says, "Some people like motorcycles and others enjoy roller coasters, but there’s nothing like getting up in the air. No one leaves disappointed."

WATCH FROM THE GROUND

For those who aren’t as daring, spectators can watch from the flight line at the barricades as well as tour the museum.

"People can witness the airplanes taking off and landing. There won’t be any demonstrations, but the crowd can see the start to the taxi to the takeoff to the landing," Clyman says. "It’s a unique thing for spectators because one of the runways sits right in front of the hangar. The experience is three-dimensional because you get the sound and the smell of the engines running to accompany the visual."

Food trucks will be available for those seeking refreshments. It is recommended to sign up in advance for flights on the museum's website at least 24-hours in advance. Walk-ins are accommodated based on availability on the C-47.

"Sharing this history with our visitors is something we are very passionate about," Clyman says. "It carries on the legacy of the people who built these planes and flew them throughout World War II."