It's been tough to stay focussed on any one thing, but I am committed to getting that dang instrument rating done! Just a matter of time. Good news is I'll be sharing the process, and everything in between, as I do the training :)
Oh man, I got to see two mustangs up close (one at an FBO in Idaho, the owner pulled up as I was waiting on a friend to land) and another one at my home airport KCCR during a Wings of Freedom tour. Videos on my channel. Passed my PPL checkride a few weeks ago and just joined a flight club at KLVK - next time you're in the area let's do a fly out!
+Joshua Kaplan - I'm gonna be in L.A. Next month, gonna see how many of you SoCal guys I can meet there - can you email me? Flightchops at gmail dot com
I really enjoy your show and in the mustang episode was such a pleasure because you did leave the music out so we can hear the engines and it was so much better. there are lots of people who enjoy real sound more then emotional busy music. Please keep making great shows and know the your content is great and the music is only making it a little better for some people we love planes and we love all the sounds they make and we love all the good advice and ideas you speak
My father flew P51D Mustang in WWII from 1941-1945. He was in the 479th Fighter Squadron, 434th Fighter Group. Flew with Ace Colonel Robin Olds, He told me many stories about the plane and how they would take out the back seats and put in fuel tanks for some missions... even told stories of some of the squadron not making it back in. So many memories about this plane. Great video.
Our instructors were an amazing bunch. From first flight in a primary training aircraft until kid go up in this fifty one and learn what she can do. They gave all the knowledge they could pass on to give flyers a fighting chance.
My grandfather, a WWII vet, always told a story about having to go from San Antonio to Houston for a conference and one of the guys making the trip with him suggested they just take his plane. My grandfather expected a 172 or a Cub, what he got was a Mustang. He talked about that ride until the day he died. Would love to get to do it one day myself. Great video! Thanks for this! Much respect to both pilots as well. Pure artistry.
Can one possibly encounter two more likeable guys? Unlikely. You can just tell that these gentlemen are the real deal. You just want to buy them a beer. What amazingly cool people. Outstanding video. Just found your channel and I must say; it's quality all the way.
I was able to attend an air show last weekend. Main attraction F-22 Rapter WOW! Also, heritage flight with Mustang & Rapter. Im a native to Razorback territory (Arkansas) living in PA. I must admit these folks caused me to fall a lil bit in live with PA during the opening ceremony. Golden Knight sky diver with Old Glory in tow & young lady singinv national anthem. She struggles to clear her throat & finally says, "I cant do it". Then someone in the crowd yells, "Yes you can" and it seemed everyone joined in and sang it with her. God Bless America, I love this country!
p-51 mustang is the coolest plane that will ever be made. Something about the look, the sound, its success, and it being one of the last great propeller hot rod fighters.
At 13 years old I got a ride in a jump seat Mustang from the owner of a small strip in So.Nevada. I washed and waxed and fueled a lot of aircraft that spring and summer, and on my birthday in June I got a 30 minute ride. The owner and pilot was a WW2 Mustang pilot so he really knew how to fly that thing. Back then we were using 145 Avgas and he REALLY showed me what the thing could do. I didn't sleep for 2 days prior and dreamed about that ride for years after. What a birthday present. Thanks for sharing!
After flying with my dad since the late 60s into the early 2000s I can say with confidence that you sir are a lucky person to be able to ride along in such a work of aviation history. Just a tad bit jealous.
This is why I love Flight Chops so much. Most aviation filmers would cut to some cheesy, "inspirational" music to make their videos artsy and craftsy. Not you. You know how we would much prefer to hear the sounds of the Merlin over that. Awesome.
The bubble top P-51 is the most beautiful piece of design ever, for me. When the other P-51 does the abrupt break off into a turn, it makes me feel kinda funny. Like when we climbed the rope in gym class.
This is such a wonderful channel and covers such diverse and interesting planes, people and techniques. Thank you for all the effort it takes to produce the quality footage, editing and caliber of material. You have helped reignite a lifelong passion for aeroplanes and bring my excitement and passion back to childlike levels of enthusiasm. Top notch work ! :)
***** I am so glad you felt appreciated enough to take the time to thank me and I'm glad my enthuastic appreciation of what you do had a positive emotional impact on you :) (from the sounds of it anyway). You certainly have affected me positively for life. I fell in love with trains first, then planes, then automobiles. I remember what first made me start to appreciate 50s and 60s Ferraris back in high school, was first the obvious: the beautiful Pininfarina bodies and some Fantuzzi, Zagato, Vignale and Touring bodies as well as I was to find later. Secondly the idea of such a small manufacturer making an in-house, small displacement (1.5 to 3.0 liter usually) V-12. It was only years later that I heard the wonderful wail of a 3.0 L Columbo V-12; a sound described as a tremendous air wrenching sound like ripping 50,000 sheets of calico (cloth) at the same time. A sound that quite literally makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Every time. :) But what took me years to realize was that the passion of one man Enzo Ferrari and the passion the Italians generally put into cars was had the biggest emotional effect on me. Our emotions are our barometer, our measuring stick, if you will, so when we feel good it shows us we're on the right path! :) I say all of this because your channel has reminded me how much and how important it was to have planes back in my life. Your work has given me more life in my life. :) This is even more important to me, being disabled and spending most of my time in bed. Seeing the quality and variety of what you post here has put more spark and passion in my life. And this despite the fact that I don't think it's possible for my health to get better to the degree where I can even pass a flight physical. Thank you kindly for the joy and excitement you bring into my life and thank you for the genuine passion you show for this. It is with passion and focused intent that we can create and manifest miracles in our life. And it is with positivity that you create and attract more positivity.
It is super rewarding to hear that the videos are helping keep you inspired to fight the good fight and try to recover. I wish you all the best with your health issues.
I have got to ask....Mr Stuka. .your grandfather an engineer in Germany in the late twenties and mid thirties??? because his work changed course of Poland France Check republic etc. ..!! just wondering ☺
Fantastic. I never knew what was the do's & don't's of flying a Mustang. Back in the early 60's I was privileged to fly in a T-28. I've always been a WWll fighter fan. Thanks again for this video.
My family doctor and friend of my family passed away on January 6th of this year. He was an Army Air Corps fighter pilot during WW2. He was 99.I have a new respect for what he went through, flying one of these beautiful planes. Thank you so much for sharing this. Melinda Maybruck Ortega St Augustine, Florida
This just got me excited for OSH17! FlightChops and I will be at the BOSE display Friday July 28th 12pm and at ForeFlight Saturday July 29th 12pm for our duel meet up's. Be sure to stop on by to say hi! Ken and Mike seem like cool guys to fly with. Awesome video Mr Chops! REPLY
Dang it. This has me even more bummed out that I won't be there this year! It would be cool to get to meet both of you guys do some hangar talking. Anyway, if either of you ever find yourselves heading to Bakersfield, CA (KBFL) come on into Epic Jet Center and say hello!
"Highway to the Danger Zone, Gonna take you riding to the Danger Zone!" I love those P-51 Mustangs and I love the movie Top Gun! You are lucky guy to fly in those old war birds!
Once again, you're giving me wonderful flashbacks. My three Mustang rides were so long ago; '82/'84/'86... but I still remember them so well. Loved your audio; on my flights I didn't get video, but lots of 35mm photos and I some decent audio on cassette tapes which I still have. Almost got a ride in a Spitfire... but I weighed too much for the aft CG. And of course nothing can top the P-40 rides that ended up on magazine covers. Thanks again my friend... just... wonderful.
I'm a ham radio down south in Brazil. Never had a chance to get my private license, but always loved flying. Recently discovered your amazing videos. Keep up the excellent job. Cheers!
My Dad flew a P38, then a P51 for the 79th out of Kingscliffe,Eng, Feb 44 to Aug 44. He strafed the beaches at Normandy on D-day. They were ground strafers, better known as the locobashers. He was downed in his P51 by low level flak over Berlin, captured and a POW at Stalag lift 1 until the end of the war. His P51 was “Guardian Angel”. His P38 was “Hells Bell”
Great video, Steve! I've been in the back a P-51 like that a couple of times, and I 100% identify with your clamping your hands to your head during the takeoff roll. The Bose headsets are overpowered by the incredible sound pressure levels of the Merlin at takeoff power, and they begin to distort badly and make loud "popping" noises. As soon as you're back to climb/cruise, as you said, they keep up well. The best bet is probably earplugs plus the A-20. Then you can turn the noise canceling off during takeoff and rely on the passive attenuation, then make it quieter once you're at a lower power setting. Or, earplugs plus a passive headset or helmet.
O:45 Coolest response EVER to the question '...ever been in a Mustang before?' All he would have been hearing from me is giggling...and maybe a little 'I don't believe this...I don't believe this...' :-)
My father flew the P-40 over North Africa then on over Europe with the P-51, all total he had 18 kills. I have all his classified mission sorties. His dog fights on 8mm film reals and other things. I always wanted to go up in a P-51 like Flight Chops did but have never had a chance to do. No other sound in the world is like the P-51, so I built and road a Harley and no other bikes sound like a Harley. When the war was over he went on as a test pilot for the P-80 and the first G-suit. I wish he was were today to see all the new technology. Thanks for the video I’m glad you got to go for the ride.
Oh my, oh my, oh my! It is unlikely that this earth has seen a craft as elegant as a P-51. I have several models of them along with several B-29s I put together a young man as because they were aesthetically-pleasing and powerful at the same time.
This is a great video, thanks a lot! It's incredibly to hear how difficult it is to fly the plane, I'm happy to just watch them fly!😨 I've been fortunate enough to see Mustang Sally fly a few times in South Africa and she is a beautiful plane! I love the sound of that V12, especially how the sound changes completely from approaching and flying away. As much as I love the pure beauty of the P-51 what always gets me when I see WW2 war birds flying is the thought of the young men that flew and gave their lives while flying them. I've only seen a P-51, Spitfire and Sea Fury flying at local air shows but those are more than enough to work up the emotions. War truly is terrible, it's amazing that such beautiful aircraft were involved in such a terrible event in history.
You flew in a MUSTANG......man I'm soooo jealous! Again, thank you so much for sharing that. I haven't flown in three years, it's time I get back on the horse. Very inspiring. Thank you again.
Impressive due to the knowledge learned from this highly experienced pilot. I had no idea the P-51 was so difficult to fly. Really well done and informative, great job!
He makes the P-51 sound like the SR-20. A very nice bird, but if you take her outside the envelope be prepared to dance. They actually share the abrupt stall characteristic, but the cirrus has a very benign break. Anyway, awesome flight! Love the warbirds and formation.
This is the most information soaked video on flying the Mustang, that I've ever watched. Big Eye opener, thank you,...and thanks for NOT adding any music..!!
Great Video...my Dad flew B17 during WWII. Got my private from my grandfather who started his flying in WWI and then in WWII and ended up logging more than 26,000 hours. Have some awesome photos from him back in those days. Enjoyed this video, looking forward to the next one. Need to do a skydive video sometime, I'll go out with ya and handle the video work. Start Safe, Stay Safe
I've watched several of your videos now. As soon as you said you were omitting music so we could hear the Merlin, I hit pause and subscribed. Thank you for appreciating that great sound!
I just wanted say, I met Dr Ken Wagner at the Provo, UT airport roughly 8 years ago... There was some rough weather, while on his way from California to Osh Kosh WI air show & he overnighted it in Provo along w/ his P-51 until calmer weather arrived...I came to pick him up from the airport &( drive to the hotel )and it was awesome to visit w/ him and to watch him fire up his mustang for me...He went out of his way to show me his plane up close... He let me help him guide it into the hangar for the night before we left...He also told me all about the background of the V-12 Rolls Royce engine the P-51 has. But when he fired it up for me, Wow!...(It was truly awesome to see up close, w/ the flames from the engine & all!) ..It's good to see he's still as friendly and inviting as he was back then w/ me,( when I was just a guy who worked @ the local hotel there to pick him up for the night.)
I can remember my first ever PPL flight and when we were on approach an aircraft called the tower, my instructor then said "Look out for something green going very fast". When we landed a P51 mustang, one of only a few buzzed the airfield at 30 feet. I couldn't wait to fly again after that.
Wow this was refreshing. To hear an expert give details about how a ww2 fighter handles is priceless. No wonder they lost so many to pilot error. You put a young pilot in an airplane that needs to be flown by the book and accidents will happen.
Hi Chops ! Been watching your vids for a while now. You cover it all. Really enjoyed the debriefing. Those guys were very interesting to listen to. Thank you for your dedication in producing these videos for us to enjoy. I can't express enough how inspirational they are to my flying life. Staying humble while being a pilot is one of the best combinations I can imagine. Off we go, into the wild blue yonder.......best feeling in the world !
Aw man, if you think one Merlin is loud, try four! I had the pleasure of riding along in one of the only flying Avro lancasters left in the world, at the Geneseo Air Show in 2013. They had the four of us that were flying with them put in earplugs - as well as a pair of safety earmuffs for takeoff. Was one of my favorite experiences to date, only wish I had taken a video. Great video as always!
Hearing how finicky these things are to fly just makes the pilots who actually flew and fought in then even more impressive. I heard one story of one of the Tuskegee Airmen doing several victory rolls over the airfield after downing his first 262. A potentially dangerous move in any plane, and the fact that he was able to pull that off really speaks to his skill.
Yup, I thought I'd read enough on the P-51 topic but these pilots revealed a great insight into just how wildly intimidating these Mustangs were to control (and that's in peacetime mode). I now can't help feeling that there is a massive clue in the choice of name for this bird. Also I'd like to add to the praise for the omission of any incidental music track over the sweet noise of the Rolls Royce Philharmonic Orchestra...cue Packard fan boys.... :-)
Awesome cinamatics in difficult conditions. Fascinating insights. Some very experienced pilots have lost their lives flying warbirds. So sad. You should come to warbirds over wanaka here in NZ. Thanks for sharing. Love that v12. Wish there were more Tempests still flying. One of my favourites...muscle car of the sky’s. cost of maintaining one must be colossal
Love the Mustang. About the mic issue. Im sure you know military intercoms require a low impedance mic. I always keep a David Clark H10-76 in my bag for this reason. You can always find a set pretty easy and cheap....
+Nelson Fortson - yeah, the Bose engineers at Osh heard I had the issue and went over and did something to fix that intercom to work with standard headset mics the next day. I am curious as to what they did but I did not have time to follow up and learn more about it.
I believe they might have used a rotary wing adapter so crew and radio could be heard, but the adapter can't change the impedance of the mic so it wouldn't work. GA intercom systems depend on an audio amplifier in the mic circuit where military intercom systems don't. So the GA mic doesn't "give" a strong enough signal to be heard without the amp.
Amazing, it was interesting to hear about how dangerous Mustang is (compared to Spitfire that as I've heard tells pilot before stall). I wonder how other fighters compare like Me109, fw190, corsair...
The technical aspects of flying the P51 was awesome. Interesting to hear about the nasty stall characteristics of the laminar flow wing and how more pilots were killed during training than combat.
Thank you! Thank You! Thank You for keeping the sound of the Merlin in and not drowning it out with music. Dr. Wagner is awesome and I've talked to him a few times at Oshkosh about Mustang flying as the closest I get is with A2A Simulations P-51D Civilian model which in my experience in talking to real mustang pilots is as close as you can get to the real deal. Rudder, rudder and more rudder!!
The P-51 is the one plane that I have always wanted to fly. The history behind that plane and the pilots that have flown it has always been the major draw for me, and the mechanical ingenuity behind the entire design is amazing. Very happy that you were able to make this video so I can experience the flight. Hopefully I'll be able to get in one one day. Keep it up Schteevie. #BoseA20
Hay Steve we ran Merlins in our Frac Trucks in 1973 in Alberta. Each truck carried 100 Gals of No 1 Auto Fuel and the Engines were connected up to the Fluid Pump by a fluid transmission with the auto gas we had 700 Hyd. HP. In the winter time because of the 100 weight oil we had to stop every 2 hours to run up the engines to warm the oil and they had to be put under cover over night or they would freeze and we could not start them in the morning. I saw Fracs with 5-8 trucks hooked in line spewing flame out the top and rocking back and forth shaking the ground.
When the Company I worked for bought them they got the Engines for pennies on the dollar I think they purchased 12-18 engines all in crates we would take the 12 volt fuel pumps and rig them to our cars and use them for refilling our personnel cars from the fuel tanks of the Frac Trucks.
Awesome. Lady Alice is based at KCNO where I'm doing my IFR training. Cool dude too. The A20s may have worked better without the hat which would allow for a better seal.
Wow that's crazy the lead mustang is based here at the FBO I work at (Hillaircraft). I'm looking at it right now!!! Nice video chops it's great to see it in the air👍🏾
Thank you for not dubbing some stupid hip hop BS 'music' over the video. Nothing wrong with the sound of flying just like it is. What a special experience for you. Thanks so much for making the video and posting so the rest of us can enjoy.
I have fueled the guys bonanza in this video. ken is an extremely nice guy. talked about how the gear wouldn't retract once on this p51 and he landed at chino.
You got to fly in Lady Alice? that's awesome, I'm good friend's with Doc and fuel Dr. Wagner's beauty whenever he comes back to KCNO. He's such a great individual. You sir are one lucky individual. Thank you for posting this Steve. It's Friend from KRIR, hope to see you here someday at Chino.
Great learning/training video, even though I know of your disclaimer......they definitely do prepare you for what to expect in great detail, very informative dialogue from both pilots!
WAGS! Holy cow, I just stumbled upon this video. I met Wags at the Wings Over Gillespie Airshow and he was a riot! Man, if you read this, shoot me a message! I fondly remember sitting under the wing of your P-51 and swapping flying stories. This guy really is very humble and a delight to talk to!!
Came for the mustang, stayed for the Chops! how's that Insturment rating coming :) keep it up man you're an isnpiration to all of us.
It's been tough to stay focussed on any one thing, but I am committed to getting that dang instrument rating done! Just a matter of time. Good news is I'll be sharing the process, and everything in between, as I do the training :)
FlightChops Yussss IFR!!
World record for longest instrument training ever? Haha
Oh man, I got to see two mustangs up close (one at an FBO in Idaho, the owner pulled up as I was waiting on a friend to land) and another one at my home airport KCCR during a Wings of Freedom tour. Videos on my channel. Passed my PPL checkride a few weeks ago and just joined a flight club at KLVK - next time you're in the area let's do a fly out!
+Joshua Kaplan - I'm gonna be in L.A. Next month, gonna see how many of you SoCal guys I can meet there - can you email me? Flightchops at gmail dot com
That pilot seems like a really great guy. I'd fly with him any time.
Great video, really enjoyed this one.
SmarterEveryDay love you boo
Right on thanks Destin! How's your training going?
I really enjoy your show and in the mustang episode was such a pleasure because you did leave the music out so we can hear the engines and it was so much better. there are lots of people who enjoy real sound more then emotional busy music. Please keep making great shows and know the your content is great and the music is only making it a little better for some people
we love planes and we love all the sounds they make and we love all the good advice and ideas you speak
What a nice man the p51 pilot you flew with is, just seems like a kind hearted guy who loves flying
My father flew P51D Mustang in WWII from 1941-1945. He was in the 479th Fighter Squadron, 434th Fighter Group. Flew with Ace Colonel Robin Olds, He told me many stories about the plane and how they would take out the back seats and put in fuel tanks for some missions... even told stories of some of the squadron not making it back in. So many memories about this plane. Great video.
Our instructors were an amazing bunch.
From first flight in a primary training aircraft until kid go up in this fifty one and learn what she can do.
They gave all the knowledge they could pass on to give flyers a fighting chance.
This is why when somebody mentions the mustang, I think of the P51 and NEVER the muscle car! Keep flying!
I think of both!
I'd like to combine both, 1967 Ford Mustang GT-500 painted like a P-51 with a Packard V-1650 Merlin engine under the hood. I'll just say that for now
P-51 Cadillac of the sky! 😎
The car was named after the plane. 👍
Superb video! Your decision to not play music was the best, the Merlin makes the most beautiful music all by itself. Thanks ever so much with sharing!
My grandfather, a WWII vet, always told a story about having to go from San Antonio to Houston for a conference and one of the guys making the trip with him suggested they just take his plane. My grandfather expected a 172 or a Cub, what he got was a Mustang. He talked about that ride until the day he died. Would love to get to do it one day myself. Great video! Thanks for this! Much respect to both pilots as well. Pure artistry.
I love your attitude in "no music, let the engine provide it". Indeed, this plane has one of the best soundtracks you can get.
2:36 - "i felt the Merlin engine was a character in this story..." YOU ARE CORRECT SIR...!!! (Ed McMahon voice)
This is one of the most insightful and inspirational aviation footage I've seen yet.
You have my gratitude for sharing.
Can one possibly encounter two more likeable guys? Unlikely. You can just tell that these gentlemen are the real deal. You just want to buy them a beer. What amazingly cool people. Outstanding video. Just found your channel and I must say; it's quality all the way.
Awesome thanks! Welcome to the channel and enjoy 130+ back catalogue episodes!
I was able to attend an air show last weekend. Main attraction F-22 Rapter WOW! Also, heritage flight with Mustang & Rapter.
Im a native to Razorback territory (Arkansas) living in PA. I must admit these folks caused me to fall a lil bit in live with PA during the opening ceremony. Golden Knight sky diver with Old Glory in tow & young lady singinv national anthem. She struggles to clear her throat & finally says, "I cant do it".
Then someone in the crowd yells, "Yes you can" and it seemed everyone joined in and sang it with her. God Bless America, I love this country!
p-51 mustang is the coolest plane that will ever be made. Something about the look, the sound, its success, and it being one of the last great propeller hot rod fighters.
At 13 years old I got a ride in a jump seat Mustang from the owner of a small strip in So.Nevada. I washed and waxed and fueled a lot of aircraft that spring and summer, and on my birthday in June I got a 30 minute ride. The owner and pilot was a WW2 Mustang pilot so he really knew how to fly that thing. Back then we were using 145 Avgas and he REALLY showed me what the thing could do. I didn't sleep for 2 days prior and dreamed about that ride for years after. What a birthday present. Thanks for sharing!
After flying with my dad since the late 60s into the early 2000s I can say with confidence that you sir are a lucky person to be able to ride along in such a work of aviation history. Just a tad bit jealous.
This is why I love Flight Chops so much. Most aviation filmers would cut to some cheesy, "inspirational" music to make their videos artsy and craftsy. Not you. You know how we would much prefer to hear the sounds of the Merlin over that. Awesome.
+Charlie Foxtrot The 3rd - happy to oblige :)
The bubble top P-51 is the most beautiful piece of design ever, for me. When the other P-51 does the abrupt break off into a turn, it makes me feel kinda funny. Like when we climbed the rope in gym class.
Just by the look on your faces(the 3 of you), it's obvious you had a great time. Those smiles worth a 1.000 words. Happy landings from Limoges-France
Love this!! Ken's enthusiasm is so infectious!
Agreed - it was awesome to see that childhood spark still there even as a seasoned pilot who'd spent a long time working his way up to the Mustang!
I could listen to Ken talk all day.
+adethi - agreed :)
"You'll also notice a lack of music in this one..." T H A N K Y O U!
Wow Steve, you got to experience just about every pilot's dream. Thanks for the video.
This is such a wonderful channel and covers such diverse and interesting planes, people and techniques. Thank you for all the effort it takes to produce the quality footage, editing and caliber of material. You have helped reignite a lifelong passion for aeroplanes and bring my excitement and passion back to childlike levels of enthusiasm. Top notch work ! :)
+John Stucka III - Wow thanks! This comment is super rewarding! Thanks for taking the time to share!
***** I am so glad you felt appreciated enough to take the time to thank me and I'm glad my enthuastic appreciation of what you do had a positive emotional impact on you :) (from the sounds of it anyway). You certainly have affected me positively for life.
I fell in love with trains first, then planes, then automobiles. I remember what first made me start to appreciate 50s and 60s Ferraris back in high school, was first the obvious: the beautiful Pininfarina bodies and some Fantuzzi, Zagato, Vignale and Touring bodies as well as I was to find later. Secondly the idea of such a small manufacturer making an in-house, small displacement (1.5 to 3.0 liter usually) V-12. It was only years later that I heard the wonderful wail of a 3.0 L Columbo V-12; a sound described as a tremendous air wrenching sound like ripping 50,000 sheets of calico (cloth) at the same time. A sound that quite literally makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Every time. :)
But what took me years to realize was that the passion of one man Enzo Ferrari and the passion the Italians generally put into cars was had the biggest emotional effect on me. Our emotions are our barometer, our measuring stick, if you will, so when we feel good it shows us we're on the right path! :)
I say all of this because your channel has reminded me how much and how important it was to have planes back in my life. Your work has given me more life in my life. :)
This is even more important to me, being disabled and spending most of my time in bed. Seeing the quality and variety of what you post here has put more spark and passion in my life. And this despite the fact that I don't think it's possible for my health to get better to the degree where I can even pass a flight physical.
Thank you kindly for the joy and excitement you bring into my life and thank you for the genuine passion you show for this. It is with passion and focused intent that we can create and manifest miracles in our life. And it is with positivity that you create and attract more positivity.
It is super rewarding to hear that the videos are helping keep you inspired to fight the good fight and try to recover. I wish you all the best with your health issues.
Thanks. I really appreciate it. Follow your passion and enjoy! :)
I have got to ask....Mr Stuka. .your grandfather an engineer in Germany in the late twenties and mid thirties??? because his work changed course of Poland France Check republic etc. ..!!
just wondering ☺
12:22 is what I imagine a lot of WW2 pilots saw over in Europe. Amazing footage, great story, and awesome sounds. Thanks so much Steve!
Fantastic. I never knew what was the do's & don't's of flying a Mustang. Back in the early 60's I was privileged to fly in a T-28. I've always been a WWll fighter fan. Thanks again for this video.
My family doctor and friend of my family passed away on January 6th of this year. He was an Army Air Corps fighter pilot during WW2. He was 99.I have a new respect for what he went through, flying one of these beautiful planes. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Melinda Maybruck Ortega
St Augustine, Florida
This just got me excited for OSH17! FlightChops and I will be at the BOSE display Friday July 28th 12pm and at ForeFlight Saturday July 29th 12pm for our duel meet up's. Be sure to stop on by to say hi! Ken and Mike seem like cool guys to fly with. Awesome video Mr Chops!
REPLY
+steveo1kinevo - Yes! OSH17 will be awesome! Can't wait!
Dang it. This has me even more bummed out that I won't be there this year! It would be cool to get to meet both of you guys do some hangar talking. Anyway, if either of you ever find yourselves heading to Bakersfield, CA (KBFL) come on into Epic Jet Center and say hello!
+FlightChops Who is this +Steveo1kinevo guy that keeps commenting on your vids? He types in some weird Bahimian accent. Strange.
"Highway to the Danger Zone, Gonna take you riding to the Danger Zone!"
I love those P-51 Mustangs and I love the movie Top Gun!
You are lucky guy to fly in those old war birds!
Loved this one, especially the pilot's comments. The Merlin engine is one of the coolest sounds in the world.
That is one of the most beautiful Mustangs I have ever seen. Incredible.
Once again, you're giving me wonderful flashbacks. My three Mustang rides were so long ago; '82/'84/'86... but I still remember them so well. Loved your audio; on my flights I didn't get video, but lots of 35mm photos and I some decent audio on cassette tapes which I still have. Almost got a ride in a Spitfire... but I weighed too much for the aft CG. And of course nothing can top the P-40 rides that ended up on magazine covers. Thanks again my friend... just... wonderful.
I'm a ham radio down south in Brazil. Never had a chance to get my private license, but always loved flying. Recently discovered your amazing videos. Keep up the excellent job. Cheers!
Quickest 14 min video, went in a flash! Superb. Thanks for not playing music.
UK microlighter.
My Dad flew a P38, then a P51 for the 79th out of Kingscliffe,Eng, Feb 44 to Aug 44. He strafed the beaches at Normandy on D-day. They were ground strafers, better known as the locobashers. He was downed in his P51 by low level flak over Berlin, captured and a POW at Stalag lift 1 until the end of the war.
His P51 was “Guardian Angel”. His P38 was “Hells Bell”
Great video, Steve! I've been in the back a P-51 like that a couple of times, and I 100% identify with your clamping your hands to your head during the takeoff roll. The Bose headsets are overpowered by the incredible sound pressure levels of the Merlin at takeoff power, and they begin to distort badly and make loud "popping" noises. As soon as you're back to climb/cruise, as you said, they keep up well.
The best bet is probably earplugs plus the A-20. Then you can turn the noise canceling off during takeoff and rely on the passive attenuation, then make it quieter once you're at a lower power setting. Or, earplugs plus a passive headset or helmet.
O:45 Coolest response EVER to the question '...ever been in a Mustang before?'
All he would have been hearing from me is giggling...and maybe a little 'I don't believe this...I don't believe this...' :-)
My father flew the P-40 over North Africa then on over Europe with the P-51, all total he had 18 kills. I have all his classified mission sorties. His dog fights on 8mm film reals and other things. I always wanted to go up in a P-51 like Flight Chops did but have never had a chance to do. No other sound in the world is like the P-51, so I built and road a Harley and no other bikes sound like a Harley. When the war was over he went on as a test pilot for the P-80 and the first G-suit. I wish he was were today to see all the new technology. Thanks for the video I’m glad you got to go for the ride.
Oh my, oh my, oh my! It is unlikely that this earth has seen a craft as elegant as a P-51. I have several models of them along with several B-29s I put together a young man as because they were aesthetically-pleasing and powerful at the same time.
I had never known a mustang took such a light hand on the stick... excellent video. Gotta respect the high output fighter planes
I did not expect that. I was not disappointed. That's an amazing opportunity, thanks for sharing!
This is a great video, thanks a lot!
It's incredibly to hear how difficult it is to fly the plane, I'm happy to just watch them fly!😨
I've been fortunate enough to see Mustang Sally fly a few times in South Africa and she is a beautiful plane! I love the sound of that V12, especially how the sound changes completely from approaching and flying away.
As much as I love the pure beauty of the P-51 what always gets me when I see WW2 war birds flying is the thought of the young men that flew and gave their lives while flying them. I've only seen a P-51, Spitfire and Sea Fury flying at local air shows but those are more than enough to work up the emotions. War truly is terrible, it's amazing that such beautiful aircraft were involved in such a terrible event in history.
Moved me to tears watching this. Buffalo, South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.
You flew in a MUSTANG......man I'm soooo jealous! Again, thank you so much for sharing that. I haven't flown in three years, it's time I get back on the horse. Very inspiring. Thank you again.
Impressive due to the knowledge learned from this highly experienced pilot. I had no idea the P-51 was so difficult to fly. Really well done and informative, great job!
He makes the P-51 sound like the SR-20. A very nice bird, but if you take her outside the envelope be prepared to dance. They actually share the abrupt stall characteristic, but the cirrus has a very benign break. Anyway, awesome flight! Love the warbirds and formation.
This is the most information soaked video on flying the Mustang, that I've ever watched. Big Eye opener, thank you,...and thanks for NOT adding any music..!!
Great Video...my Dad flew B17 during WWII. Got my private from my grandfather who started his flying in WWI and then in WWII and ended up logging more than 26,000 hours. Have some awesome photos from him back in those days. Enjoyed this video, looking forward to the next one. Need to do a skydive video sometime, I'll go out with ya and handle the video work.
Start Safe, Stay Safe
I've watched several of your videos now. As soon as you said you were omitting music so we could hear the Merlin, I hit pause and subscribed. Thank you for appreciating that great sound!
I just wanted say, I met Dr Ken Wagner at the Provo, UT airport roughly 8 years ago...
There was some rough weather, while on his way from California to Osh Kosh WI air show & he overnighted it in Provo along w/ his P-51 until calmer weather arrived...I came to pick him up from the airport &( drive to the hotel )and it was awesome to visit w/ him and to watch him fire up his mustang for me...He went out of his way to show me his plane up close...
He let me help him guide it into the hangar for the night before we left...He also told me all about the background of the V-12 Rolls Royce engine the P-51 has. But when he fired it up for me, Wow!...(It was truly awesome to see up close, w/ the flames from the engine & all!)
..It's good to see he's still as friendly and inviting as he was back then w/ me,( when I was just a guy who worked @ the local hotel there to pick him up for the night.)
I can remember my first ever PPL flight and when we were on approach an aircraft called the tower, my instructor then said "Look out for something green going very fast". When we landed a P51 mustang, one of only a few buzzed the airfield at 30 feet. I couldn't wait to fly again after that.
Wow this was refreshing. To hear an expert give details about how a ww2 fighter handles is priceless. No wonder they lost so many to pilot error. You put a young pilot in an airplane that needs to be flown by the book and accidents will happen.
Music from the Merlin - I love it! The docs both seem like great chaps. Professional and serious, yet humble. Great video!!
the sound and video you got was perfect..much better experience for us viewers than a edited music deal...awesome effort
+Matt Foster - awesome thanks!
Yes yes yes +1
Hi Chops ! Been watching your vids for a while now. You cover it all. Really enjoyed the debriefing. Those guys were very interesting to listen to. Thank you for your dedication in producing these videos for us to enjoy. I can't express enough how inspirational they are to my flying life. Staying humble while being a pilot is one of the best combinations I can imagine. Off we go, into the wild blue yonder.......best feeling in the world !
Aw man, if you think one Merlin is loud, try four! I had the pleasure of riding along in one of the only flying Avro lancasters left in the world, at the Geneseo Air Show in 2013. They had the four of us that were flying with them put in earplugs - as well as a pair of safety earmuffs for takeoff. Was one of my favorite experiences to date, only wish I had taken a video. Great video as always!
Those pilots have a fantastic attitude. Just perfect. Love the video Steve.
Hearing how finicky these things are to fly just makes the pilots who actually flew and fought in then even more impressive. I heard one story of one of the Tuskegee Airmen doing several victory rolls over the airfield after downing his first 262. A potentially dangerous move in any plane, and the fact that he was able to pull that off really speaks to his skill.
Yup, I thought I'd read enough on the P-51 topic but these pilots revealed a great insight into just how wildly intimidating these Mustangs were to control (and that's in peacetime mode). I now can't help feeling that there is a massive clue in the choice of name for this bird. Also I'd like to add to the praise for the omission of any incidental music track over the sweet noise of the Rolls Royce Philharmonic Orchestra...cue Packard fan boys.... :-)
This is what's great about the aviation community, most people are humble and love to talk about and teach about aviation. #BoseA20
Awesome cinamatics in difficult conditions. Fascinating insights. Some very experienced pilots have lost their lives flying warbirds. So sad. You should come to warbirds over wanaka here in NZ. Thanks for sharing. Love that v12. Wish there were more Tempests still flying. One of my favourites...muscle car of the sky’s. cost of maintaining one must be colossal
The pilots comment rang so true about being ahead of it even on my RC models.
2:49 Wags-2? Is this man related to Matt Wagner from Eagle Dynamics? XD
Awesome video, utterly envious! The P51 stirs the soul along with the sound of the merlin.
Love the Mustang. About the mic issue. Im sure you know military intercoms require a low impedance mic. I always keep a David Clark H10-76 in my bag for this reason. You can always find a set pretty easy and cheap....
+Nelson Fortson - yeah, the Bose engineers at Osh heard I had the issue and went over and did something to fix that intercom to work with standard headset mics the next day. I am curious as to what they did but I did not have time to follow up and learn more about it.
I believe they might have used a rotary wing adapter so crew and radio could be heard, but the adapter can't change the impedance of the mic so it wouldn't work. GA intercom systems depend on an audio amplifier in the mic circuit where military intercom systems don't. So the GA mic doesn't "give" a strong enough signal to be heard without the amp.
Amazing, it was interesting to hear about how dangerous Mustang is (compared to Spitfire that as I've heard tells pilot before stall). I wonder how other fighters compare like Me109, fw190, corsair...
Mustang and Merlin - best sight and sound ever!
The technical aspects of flying the P51 was awesome. Interesting to hear about the nasty stall characteristics of the laminar flow wing and how more pilots were killed during training than combat.
Thank you! Thank You! Thank You for keeping the sound of the Merlin in and not drowning it out with music. Dr. Wagner is awesome and I've talked to him a few times at Oshkosh about Mustang flying as the closest I get is with A2A Simulations P-51D Civilian model which in my experience in talking to real mustang pilots is as close as you can get to the real deal. Rudder, rudder and more rudder!!
The P-51 is the one plane that I have always wanted to fly. The history behind that plane and the pilots that have flown it has always been the major draw for me, and the mechanical ingenuity behind the entire design is amazing. Very happy that you were able to make this video so I can experience the flight. Hopefully I'll be able to get in one one day. Keep it up Schteevie. #BoseA20
Incredible footage of American muscle in the sky!! I’m an A&P -and I love your channel, keep up the good work bud!
Oh wow look at all those beautiful American warbirds out there. I'm in love.
Thank you so soooo much for not playing music over all this! Great job!
Hay Steve we ran Merlins in our Frac Trucks in 1973 in Alberta. Each truck carried 100 Gals of No 1 Auto Fuel and the Engines were connected up to the Fluid Pump by a fluid transmission with the auto gas we had 700 Hyd. HP. In the winter time because of the 100 weight oil we had to stop every 2 hours to run up the engines to warm the oil and they had to be put under cover over night or they would freeze and we could not start them in the morning. I saw Fracs with 5-8 trucks hooked in line spewing flame out the top and rocking back and forth shaking the ground.
+Terry LeGrand - that's awesome! And sorta scary all at the same time
Terry LeGrand any of those trucks laying around in the woods of northern alberta still?
When the Company I worked for bought them they got the Engines for pennies on the dollar I think they purchased 12-18 engines all in crates we would take the 12 volt fuel pumps and rig them to our cars and use them for refilling our personnel cars from the fuel tanks of the Frac Trucks.
Flight chops gets another little taste of heaven!! Thanks for the ride along!
Wow! luckyest dude on the planet. But you put in a lot of good work to get there. You rock!
Awesome. Lady Alice is based at KCNO where I'm doing my IFR training. Cool dude too. The A20s may have worked better without the hat which would allow for a better seal.
just an awesome looking experience.. i can see where "humble" comes from
Amazing video - and how candid/humble are those pilots - blue skies guys !!!!!
Great video & so great there was no horrible music, just to enjoy the experience as it was. Wonderful!
Wow that's crazy the lead mustang is based here at the FBO I work at (Hillaircraft). I'm looking at it right now!!! Nice video chops it's great to see it in the air👍🏾
"No music, I felt the Merlin ...", You should get a thumbs up JUST for that. Great vid! I'm envious of your ride there.
Just admire this P-51 plane, cool sound too!
2:34 God bless you man!
Thank you for not dubbing some stupid hip hop BS 'music' over the video. Nothing wrong with the sound of flying just like it is. What a special experience for you. Thanks so much for making the video and posting so the rest of us can enjoy.
That's really funny what's worse than a doctor with a Bonanza, the doctor with a Mustang. Funny guy. Great video as usual. Thanks
I have fueled the guys bonanza in this video. ken is an extremely nice guy. talked about how the gear wouldn't retract once on this p51 and he landed at chino.
Can't believe how good the audio was with you using a lapel mic in your ear cup.
Yeah - I was surprised too :)
Dear Diary..."Today was a good day. New Flight Chops"
You got to fly in Lady Alice? that's awesome, I'm good friend's with Doc and fuel Dr. Wagner's beauty whenever he comes back to KCNO. He's such a great individual. You sir are one lucky individual. Thank you for posting this Steve. It's Friend from KRIR, hope to see you here someday at Chino.
Incredible. I had no idea a Mustang required such finesse to Fly.
You absolutely chose the right music for this video!
Cant decide what my favorite warbird is... The Mustang or the Corsair. Great video as always, the time just flies !
TheCanadianBubba out of them 2, Corsair. But personally prefer the spitfire above all.
Thank you for more warbird content! Cool to see the planes from this perspective!
Mustang. Its gotta be the best experience. Nice job. Thanks
Thank you for leaving the music on the ground back home.
My favorate aircaft good job cutting out the music so we can hear that beutiful engine roar big fan of all your videos keep them coming please
THIS IS SO COOL my favorite plane I get to see in side it while it’s flying
Great learning/training video, even though I know of your disclaimer......they definitely do prepare you for what to expect in great detail, very informative dialogue from both pilots!
WAGS! Holy cow, I just stumbled upon this video. I met Wags at the Wings Over Gillespie Airshow and he was a riot! Man, if you read this, shoot me a message! I fondly remember sitting under the wing of your P-51 and swapping flying stories. This guy really is very humble and a delight to talk to!!