Aerial Collective Duxford Reviews 

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!

Professional and friendly staff made this a truly unforgettable experience, everything was explained in detail and inspired confidence,the flight with Stu in the Mustang was amazing,the goodie bag and in flight video were nice touch to end the day.

An absolute dream come true, from the friendliest, most professional group you could imagine. Honestly, if you think you want to fly with Aerial Collective, I can assure you that you really do.

Outstanding in every way.

So very professional, organised and friendly from the very start at reception to the flight itself. (Even from the telephone contact by Jack the day before to confirm everything). A thorough video safety briefing, coffee and cake in the viewing area, free entry to IWM Duxford (well worth making a day of it). And then some goodies afterwards including full footage inside and out of the flight!! All adds up to a SIX star review! Thanks to Simon, my pilot and the whole team at Aerial Collective, you make dreams come true!!

What made the experience special , the booking was easy, from the moment you enter Aerial Collective you are made to feel special, the staff are welcoming, the whole company is about making the day one to remember and it was, my pilot Andy was excellant, made you feel part of the team, thank you, for my wife she thought I was flying with Tom Cruise "Maverick", she had wonderful day knowing I was in safe hands having a dream come true. If your thinking going for flight do it , promise you won't regret it. Thanks again Aerial Collective for a wonderful day. Roger and Renate

Very professional staff, friendly and helpful very attentive
Great hospitality and absolute first class flight experience in this wonderful warbird!!
A day to remember for ever
All family and guests were equally impressed with the whole experience and well looked after

My third flight with Aerial Collective.A fantastic experience from start to finish.The team make you feel like part of their family.For any aircraft enthusiast to fly in a Warbird is a definite must do.