Chipmunk Adventure flights

No experience required

Strap in and step back to the golden age of flying!

If you’ve always dreamt of flying in a WW2 era aircraft, an Auckland scenic flight aerobatic adventure ride will put this unforgettable experience in reach.

Sitting in your own cockpit with your own vintage instrument panel and flight controls, you’ll experience what it was like to be a Royal Air Force trainee pilot in the 1940s and 50s.

After a comprehensive briefing, you’ll accompany your pilot on the pre-flight inspection, learning about the classic technology that went into building this strong, powerful aeroplane.

You’ll then strap in, put on your headset for clear communications with your pilot and climb into the air over Auckland.

Then it’s up to you: a smooth, leisurely flight as you enjoy the view and learn about local landmarks and history… or a taste of the aerobatics that made the Chipmunk a favourite among pilots worldwide.

Chipmunk facts

Highly modified Chipmunks were popular with extreme aerobatic pilots in the USA. World Champion Art Scholl’s Super Chipmunk is on display at the Smithsonian Museum.

The Royal Air Force still operates 2 Chipmunks as part of its Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. It’s used as a trainer to prepare fighter jet pilots for flying the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane.

What goes up…

Your aerobatics experience

Aerobatics in the Chipmunk are smooth and enjoyable. Your pilot will explain each move before you begin, and talk you through it as it happens.

All aerobatics are optional… and we promise to tell your family on the ground that you did them all whether you did or not!

Whether you’re from Auckland or a visitor to New Zealand, seeing our beautiful coastline while upside down will add a whole new perspective.

G forces:

As seen on Top Gun

Turning the aeroplane tightly or pulling the nose up into a loop will make you feel like you’re being pushed into your seat. This temporary increase in gravity is known as g force.

G forces in the Chipmunk are predictable and temporary – your pilot will let you know exactly what you expect. They’re also way less than Tom Cruise put up with… you can expect to tell your friends you pulled about 3.5g.

Your aerobatic menu

We call it a menu because just like in a restaurant, you can pick and choose. You can also ask for seconds!

The loop

Starting with a gentle full power dive to accelerate, we pull straight up, then keep pulling through the upside down position and back where we started, making a perfect circle in the sky. A perfect loop on a calm day will often finish with us flying through our own wake.

The aileron roll

After pulling the nose above the horizon, we pause then roll rapidly left or right while still flying in a straight line (towards a point in the distance like a mountain). Guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

The stall turn

Think of this one like a slow cartwheel. We start like a loop, but pause when we’re heading vertically upwards. Once the aircraft slows down (a couple of seconds), we pivot to the right to fly vertically downwards. (While the engine is throttled back in the middle of this move, it never stops or stalls.)

The barrel roll

A really gentle manoeuvre, the barrel roll starts like a loop, but as we get high into the pull-up, we begin to roll the aeroplane too. The result is a wide corkscrew through the sky, as we both loop and roll through 360 degrees.

Enjoying your aerobatics

This is all about you. Your pilot is there to do as little or as much as you want, and make your flight the best it can be.

It’s OK to tap out.

Had enough? Say so! We promise we won’t tell.

Look outside.

Follow your pilot’s advice about where to look during each manoeuvre.

Enjoy the g.

G force accelerations are temporary and relatively mild. Try lifting your arms to see what they feel like at three times the weight!

Ask for more.

Want to try something more than once? Say so! We’d love to fly more aerobatics if there’s time.

Beast mode.

If you’re loving the aerobatics and want something extra, ask your pilot to show a few display sequences, combining the basic moves back-to-back with a little more g force at some points. Not recommended for first-time flyers!

Pricing

Adventure flight
(scenic)

30 minute flights from Ardmore in the De Havilland Chipmunk

$490

Adventure flight
(aerobatic)

High adrenaline 40 minute aerobatic rides from Ardmore.

$680

Adventure flight
(formation)

You and a friend, each in the back of their own Chipmunk.

$750 per person, limit two aircraft. The perfect photo op!

Celebrating a special occasion or looking for a memorable birthday experience? Let us know when you book.

Our adventure rides are operated by Warbirds Limited, and operate under strict safety, training and maintenance requirements set by the Civil Aviation Authority.