Hi, - what are the differences between both ? - What about their safety record ? - Anyone ever tried flying at the "edge of space" ?
Safety will largely depend upon the maintenance practices of whoever is maintaining the aircraft. The design of the aircraft may be inherently safe, but if the jet is not maintained properly, you're rolling the dice. On the plus side, the jet has two engines and an ejection seat. If I had the opportunity for a ride, I wouldn't hesitate for a second. If you get a ride, you must post pictures. cheers, waldo
I'm sure there are some books out there...... I think the US first got hold of a mig-25 quite a while back when a Soviet pilot defected to Japan. I bet there must be some kind of book that you could find on Amazon. If I were shelling out $$$$$ for a plane ride I would try for an SU-27 variant. The Mig-25 is big and fast but I don't think you will have a really great view out the back. The SU-27 is extremely maneuverable and has a nice bubble cockpit and I don't think it's too light on power
The book is titled "Mig Pilot" oddly enough and is a good read. It gives a good insight as to the conditions in the Soviet Military at the time and a great deal of info about the Mig25, it's history and performance. The pilot is still here and I have spoken to several AF pilots that were given lessons in Soviet tactics by him.
In fact, in the 25 you sit on the front, quite low, so the view should be Ok. My main goal is not acrobatics, but rather flying troposhere...seing the black of space above me, earth curvature etc
Fly in the troposphere??????? heck I can almost do that on my own by just jumping up and down and flapping my arms
Mig 25 was like 10K IIRC. The Mig 29 is about 6K or so IIRC and they do the Cobra and other cool moves with you You had better post some pics if you go
Another one contemplating this? http://www.incredible-adventures.com/ I wanted to do the edges of space thing in the Foxbat, the cobra stunt in the SU-27, but married life says no. XBox Live is my replacement but to be honest I like the controls on my wife much better than any Soviet rust bucket. RocketBoy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Belenko "The MiG was disassembled, examined, and returned to the USSR in thirty crates." RocketBoy
I'm sure it's an awesome ride. But I've read that the high-altitude/high-speed MiG 25/31 isn't as thrilling as it might seem -- you're up so high that you have no visual reference for how fast you're going. The absurd speeds are really just a number on a dial. Same article said the lower-level, more aerobatic SU-27 rides are more exciting. I've never done either, so I'm still just dreaming! Dave http://www.autiv.com/articles/drive_test_mustang_gt_1.htm
I've always found flying at 300' was more fun than flying at 30,000'. I think the SU-27 would be a great ride at any altitude. waldo
you want an experience.....be at ground level when a big 'ol Buff comes roaring low overhead.....OO-RAH! "...if the pilot's good, see, I mean, if he's really..sharp, he can barrel that baby in so low, you oughtta see it sometime, it's a sight. A big plane like a '52. VRROOM! There's jet exhaust, fryin' chickens in the barnyard.
