FAQ - Individual Flights

We hope that the above answers all your questions. A full list can be found below. Please free to contact us if you still have a question.

FAQ - Detailed Listing

How do I purchase a Gift Voucher?

Our Gift Vouchers are valid for 12 months and come in an unmarked envelope which contains a large glossy brochure and plenty of information to prepare you for flying with us.

We do not take payment over the internet as we like to offer a personalised service. If you would like to purchase a gift voucher, please call us on 01285 771200 or complete the details on our enquiry form.

You will need to provide the following information:
Name to go on Gift Voucher and any special message
Name and Address to send voucher to
Contact phone no.
How you heard about us

Usually the voucher will be posted within 1-2 days of your request. Please let us know if the voucher is required urgently (additional charge of £5.00 for next day delivery).

All Bookings and Gift Vouchers are subject to our Terms & Conditions. In particular, please check that the participant is within the stated aircraft weight limits.

Are there any Medical, Age or Weight restrictions?

We can fly anyone aged 12 and over, as long as they fulfill the medical, height and weight criteria. You will be required to complete a Medical Self-Certification Form before flying with us - if you have any doubts or answer any questions with a "yes" you should contact your GP (your GP may charge you for this). If you are over 55, as a formality, we will require a letter from your doctor confirming your suitability to fly with us. There is no upper age limit to fly with us. NB if you are already a pilot with a current medical, the above does not apply.

Extra300 Aircraft Limits: Weight limit is 15 stone 7 lbs. Minimum height 5ft. Maximum height 6ft 4".
Bulldog Aircraft Limits: Weight limit is 17 stone. Maximum height 6ft 5".

How do I get to Kemble?

Kemble Airport is approx 70 miles west of London, about 15 miles NW of Swindon, just to the SW of Cirencester (Glos), and is right on the edge of the Cotswolds. Kemble is the former home of the Red Arrows and is a typically impressive former military airfield. Hunters, Gnats and Jet Provost fast jets are still flown regularly from Kemble.

The airfield entrance is located on the A433 Cirencester-Tetbury road about 3 miles from Cirencester. It is NOT accessible from the A429 Malmesbury-Tetbury road.

A detailed map is provided at the time of booking - please refer to it! Alternatively, go to http://maps.google.co.uk/maps and click on "get directions" and enter the airfield postcode GL7 6BA. More information can be found on our "contact us" page.

There are excellent fast train links (approx 1¼ hours) from London Paddington direct to Kemble.

Should you require a taxi from the station, you will need to phone for one - tel A2B Taxis on 01285 655651.

If you are flying into Bristol Airport, it takes at least 1¼ hours to get to Kemble (either by hire car, or by taking the shuttle bus to Bristol Temple Meads station and then the train to Kemble).

Can you recommend any local accommodation?

We recommend West Crudwell Farm, Crudwell which is 5 minutes from the airfield, has a beautiful setting (it also has a tennis court and swimming pool) and is very comfortable and reasonably priced. Telephone: Zandra on 01666 577205, website www.cotswoldholidays.net.

Also in the same village, The Rectory Hotel is an attractive and newly refurbished country hotel - tel 01666 577194 www.therectoryhotel.com.

If you require an excellent but good value "business" hotel with broadband access, we recommend the Priory Inn at Tetbury (tel 01666 502251 www.theprioryinn.co.uk).   Also in Tetbury, The Ormond www.theormond.co.uk is a beautifully restored coaching inn with individually designed rooms. Tel 01666 505690.

For something more unusual and expensive (4 poster beds etc), try the Wild Duck Inn at Ewen - www.thewildduckinn.co.uk tel 01285 770310.

For a comfortable B&B in Cirencester, try The Leauses - www.theleauses.co.uk. Tel 01285 653643.

The nearest Travel Lodge is in Cirencester - http://www.travelodge.co.uk/travelodge/location.php?hotel_id=86.

What should I wear?

It is essential that you wear light flat shoes with good grips - trainers are ideal. We shall kit you out in genuine military flying suits - please wear comfortable casual clothes to go underneath - ie trousers/shorts, T shirt, and sweater. Ladies should not wear skirts/ dresses. It is a good idea to bring a light jacket as it can be exposed on the airfield. Please note that changing facilities are limited.

Loose objects (including cameras) are not allowed in the aircraft cockpit. Before entering the aircraft, you will be asked to empty your pockets of keys, change etc, and remove any jewellery (other than watches and stud earrings). Valuables can either be safekept in our crew room or left in your car.

Can I bring my friends/family with me and can they watch me fly?

Flying guests are welcome to bring family and friends, who may also attend flight briefings (subject to space). We recommend that you do not bring young children as there is little to entertain them at the airfield.

There is a superb restaurant (AV8) close to our Crew Room and the airfield activities can be watched from here on the balcony outside.

Please note that our flights do not take place over the airfield, but in the local area - your family/friends will therefore be able to see you take-off and land, but will not be able to see your sortie from the airfield.

For safety and insurance reasons family/friends are not allowed airside.

How much of the flying can I do myself?

LOTS!!!! All our flights teach you how to fly our aeroplanes and you are encouraged to do as much (or as little) of the flying as you like. As you will be participating in a trial lesson, your flight with us will count towards a private pilot's licence and you will be able to fly the aircraft in all regimes of flight apart from close formation, take off and landing.

You will be offered the chance to carry out aerobatic manoeuvres yourself, even if you have never flown in a light aircraft before, all under the close guidance of your instructor who will show you the way.

How extreme is the flying? Will I feel sick? Will I have fun?

Second only to safety is our pledge to you to enjoy yourself. It is an experience you will never forget. Many people enjoy it so much they come back again and again. Just look at our testimonials!

We tailor all flights to the individual, and can provide anything from a gentle flying lesson around the area to extreme aerobatics and everything in between, depending on your nerves or your g-tolerance. This will all be discussed as part of the initial briefing session, and will be continually monitored during the flight by our experienced instructors.

Although some of our students expect to feel ill, less than 1% actually are, partly because students actually fly a large proportion of the flights themselves, and if they feel uncomfortable, can relax or return to base at any time.

How long does the experience last?

As our briefings are very thorough and include multimedia presentations, students are usually briefed in groups of typically 4 people, and then flown sequentially. This means that there may be a gap of up to 2 hours between briefing finishing and your flying starting - you can therefore be with us for up to 4 hours on busy days.

We will try to keep you informed of your likely flight time and any possible delays, which may be caused by weather, queues for refuelling, minor technical hitches etc.

If you are under time pressure, please make sure that you let us know in advance and we will endeavour to fly with you first.

How can I record the day?

We provide a personalised flight certificate signed by your instructor.

All our aircraft are video equipped and we can provide a DVD (price £45) which will be sent to you within 3-4 weeks of your flight. If, for whatever reason, the video is not available on the day, and you choose to reschedule your trip, our usual cancellation charges will apply.

Although the installations have been specifically designed for our aeroplanes (to withstand accelerations of +10g/-10g), they generally have good reliability but can very occasionally be temperamental. Should guests have requested a video that subsequently does not record perfectly in some way, then Ultimate High will fully refund the price of the video, but not any associated flying costs.

We have the following merchandise available for sale:
- Signed Squadron Print/Poster
- Baseball Cap
- Fleece (red or black)
- Personalised Name Badge (to order in advance)
- Cloth Patch (Ultimate High roundel)

Change of Flight Date / Late Shows / Cancellations

To allow for unforeseen changes in personal circumstances, Flight Vouchers are fully transferable allowing the nomination of alternative guests.

If you wish to change your chosen flight date, you must give at least 14 days' notice. For changes made within 14 days of the scheduled date a rearrangement fee of £75 will be made for Top Gun flights and £25 for Aerobatic flights. As Top Gun flights consist of two guests in two separate aeroplanes, if one cancels at short notice we will still have to fly the other guest with your scheduled seat being empty. If you cancel a Top Gun flight with less than 48 hours' notice, and fail to provide an alternative guest, you will forfeit your voucher entirely.

For cancellations made within 14 days of the date of voucher purchase, a full refund will be granted, less an administration charge of £20. The voucher must be returned to us by post. After this period, the administrative and financial costs incurred in maintaining the operation and setting up flights are such that 75% of the voucher cost will be refunded, as long as the voucher is less than 9 months old. Unfortunately, we are unalbe to refund any vouchers that are older than this.

What about the weather?

All flying is subject to weather, aircraft serviceability, pilot rosters and airfield availability. It is ESSENTIAL THAT YOU CALL US TO CHECK IN ON 01285 771200, any time from 3.30pm the previous afternoon. This is not only to check the weather but also to check that the flying is going ahead as planned and that there have been no last minute changes.

The presence of low unbroken cloud or haze (in the summer) and/or high winds may mean that we will have to reschedule flying. During the winter months (November-February), there is a greater than 50% chance that you may not be able to fly due to weather. This decreases to around 10-20% during the peak summer months. Please note that, although we fly throughout the year, the Top Gun and Ultimate Top Gun experience is only available March-October (unless booked as a pair) due to the high likelihood of cancellation in winter.

We will try and ensure you do not have a wasted journey if at all possible, so please call us in advance! We accept no liability for any costs incurred when flying has to be cancelled. We try very hard not to rearrange trips as we have an extremely high level of bookings and it can be difficult to reschedule cancelled trips.

What do I need to do before my flight?

Call us on 01285 771200 (before you set out) to check that all is going ahead as planned. It is ESSENTIAL THAT YOU CALL US TO CHECK IN any time from 3.30pm the previous afternoon. This is not only to check the weather but also to check that the flying is going ahead as planned and that there have been no last minute changes. As the weather varies considerably around the country, please still call even if it is sunny where you are!

Please aim to arrive at least half an hour early, as you may miss your flight if you arrive after your scheduled start time. If you do arrive late, you may forfeit your voucher.

Please bring your voucher with you as we may not be able to fly you without it.

Read our rearrangement fees / cancellation charges, if you are looking to reschedule at short notice.

What should I do when I receive a Gift Voucher?

Call us on 01285 771200 to book in your flight. Alternatively, guideline availability can be found here. Please make sure that you call us at least 3 months before your voucher is due to expire as we can get very booked up.

Aircraft Serviceability & Airfield Closure

We have two Extra300 aircraft, four Bulldog aircraft and one Chipmunk. The aircraft are meticulously maintained to the highest possible standards, in strict accordance with CAA regulations. From time to time minor technical faults may arise which may preclude flying either temporarily or for the day. If this situation occurs, we will endeavour to fix the problem or "borrow" another aircraft wherever possible, but this cannot always be guaranteed and, as a last resort we may have to reschedule you to another day at late notice.

Airfield availability is not normally an issue, but there are occasions where the airfield may not be available to us; examples include aircraft unserviceabilities that close the runway, events (air shows etc), chemical/oil spillages and resurfacing work. Occasionally, airfields will be closed at short notice (including for royal flights) and we may not always receive sufficient notice to cancel scheduled flying in time.

Is it safe? Am I insured?

There is a huge emphasis on safety, as the military ethos insists that every eventuality is prepared for, no matter how unlikely. The care of our guests is paramount and we employ the same safety standards used by the RAF to ensure that everybody enjoys a great time without taking risks. The aircraft are maintained in strict accordance with CAA regulations and our instructor pilots have supreme credentials. Although aerobatic and formation flying may 'look' dangerous, the flying is done within strict rules around procedures, minimum altitudes and distances between the aircraft. The instructors have many thousands of hours of military and civilian experience which helps ensure that they are perfectly prepared for flying with you.

We specialise in teaching and promoting safety courses to existing pilots. Insurance companies recognise the value of our training and offer discounts to pilots who have done safety training with us.

We are fully insured at Lloyds for personal and third party risks up to £5 million, and your own personal policies are normally unaffected by the activity (although you should check this in advance with your provider). If you booked through an experience agency, you may also automatically receive additional cover. Copies of our insurance cover are available on request. Please note that personal effects are not covered by our policies, but again your normal insurance arrangements usually remain valid.

Can I extend my gift voucher?

We can extend your voucher for 6 months for a £30 fee, as long as you contact us whilst the voucher is still valid. You will need to send your voucher in to us first.

Unfortunately, we are unable to extend expired vouchers.

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AV8 Restaurant from where you can watch the flying

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