Aerial Collective Duxford Reviews 

I came expecting a great day but it was a lot more than that. All of the staff were so welcoming and brilliant, Simon was like someone from Topgun (so the ladies tell me) The Barrel Roll was fantastic (even though my tummy was not so keen!) and being allowed to take control and carry out a 360 degree turn was beyond expectations. My son posted a short version of the flight on Facebook and it prompted very jealous responses from my golfing buddies.

I honestly can't praise Aerial Collective enough for enabling such an incredile opportunity of a life long dream to fly in a Spitfire. The end to end organisation and management of the experience was faultless, with every member of the Team clearly passionate in what they do and wanting to make it a special, memorable experience. Had the privilege to fly with David 'Rats' Ratcliffe who is just totally outstanding. Then the ground crew, Lisa and George, who were exceptional in keeping everything running so effectively and making me feel so welcome. Not forgetting the numerous behind the scenes Team members who do so much to keep everything running so well and of course keeping these incredible aircraft airworthy.
I would highly recommend Aerial Collective,

I flew in an aerial combat experience with Mike Collett in a Spitfire and Paul Bonhomme flew the ME109. This was the most thrilling experience of my life!!! I have been lucky enough to have flown in others, jets etc, a few weeks earlier I flew with Mike Collett in the Hurricane doing a similar aerial combat experience again with the ME109 tail chase. I remember back then saying to Mike “I’ll never be able to top that”. Then three weeks later on the 5th August i had another opportunity but this time in a Spitfire - Mike had other ideas - and crikey did he top my last fight…..I must say both pilots were great, the banter with each other was hilarious and such fun. I’ll never forget that day 5th August at Aerial Collective Duxford, the best experience ever!!!, the whole team were amazing the ladies on the ground that looked after me were so kind, friendly and helpful, this all added to making this day the most special one I have had. A big thank you to everyone. If there is anyone out there in two minds about doing this, don’t hesitate just book it and do it…..you never look back!!!’

An absolutely fabulous all day flying experience with Aerial Collective Duxford in the only two seater
Hawker Hurricane, piloted by Mike Collett. Mike was only too happy to engage in technical questions with my four guest's before and after the magnificent flight which include a Barrell Roll, Victory Roll, Loop and low runway pass prior to landing. All the background staff worked extremely hard to ensure that a wonderful day was enjoyed by all.

Thank you!

A boyhood dream come true in the form of a flight in the Hurricane. What an amazing experience flying from Duxford, performing aerobatics then landing back at a major Battle of Britain airfield.
The whole team were incredibly helpful, friendly and very professional and the free cake was much appreciated!
A great day made even better by the great team.

I can’t say enough good things about Aerial Collective Spitfire Flights Duxford.
From the moment I contacted them, they were responsive and accommodating. The quality of their work is exceptional, and I couldn’t be happier with the whole experience.
I purchased a flight in a Spitfire as a 60th surprise birthday gift for my husband to fulfil a child hood dream
Their team is dedicated in providing the best service possible, and it shows in every interaction.
On the day of the surprise we were welcomed by the team who couldn’t have been more attentive, whilst John was taken to his briefings, myself and family were offered the most wonderful hospitality in a special viewing room with an outside enclosure, we couldn’t have been any closer to watch his experience
We met the pilot Simon Collins who explained to us what his flight would contain and we were made to feel that it was our experience too
Before take off Simon asked John what he hoped to experience whilst flying with him, amongst taking control, aerobics and other hopes, Simon fulfilled those dreams.
Johns words after the return landing were full of awe and admiration for those legends who flew in the war to save our country, “flying was breathtaking, exhilarating, phenomenal” and made us, Simon and his colleagues laugh when he said “I want one for Christmas “
“A wonderful day, a dream come true” and the biggest recommendation to anyone who is considering booking for one of Aerial Collective Spitfire or other flights at The Imperial War Museum Duxford
Regards and huge thank you to Jack McBride, Simon, Lisa, Beth and the rest of the Aerial Collective team

Helen and John Stott

Channelling my inner Biggles!
From start to finish this was a simply fantastic day! I have witnessed spectacular displays of WW2 aircraft over six decades and have fond recollections of Spitfires and Hurricanes. Thanks to the brilliant team of Aerial Collective at IWM Duxford, I finally experienced the rare thrill of a flight in a genuine Spitfire and was even able to take control myself for a few unforgettable minutes! Fling the Spitfire that day was David 'Rats' Ratcliffe-my trusty pilot, so what better platform to leave a review than this one! An absolute blast and I already have my sights set on a flight in their two seat Hurricane next year!

We booked this amazing experience for my dad’s 90th. From the start, communication with Jack was top notch, and when we met both him and Johnnie on the day, they made the experience so incredibly special. Both Johnnie and Jack took the time to make the experience completely personal - it was as if they were greeting and presenting for the first time to us, rather than the umpteenth! They helped us to somehow get dad, who finds it very difficult to walk, up the steps into the cockpit and then out again at the end, with smiles and kindness. Dad’s pilot, Charlie Brown, was passionate, knowledgable, also kind and charming, and again he took so much more time than was required of him. All three men were unhurried, kind and made the experience so much more than just the flight. We were given drinks and homemade lemon drizzle cake whilst dad was on his flight and Johnnie showed us how to track dad’s flight. After dad finished, all three spent at least a half hour, and probably more, allowing us to pose for photographs with dad both inside and outside the Spitfire. The day just kept giving - no extra charge for a full video of the flight from cameras both to the back and front of the passenger cockpit and even when we thought it was all over, Jack appeared with a goodie bag of wonderful Spitfire memorabilia. Thank you to all three of you from the bottom of my and my sister’s hearts for making an old man and his family so very happy and for giving us a truly unforgettable experience. If I could give you more than five stars out of five I would!

Fantastic time here.
Beth and lisa where fantastic and the pilot Simon was brilliant.
The flight was for my brother who had terminal cancer and the team was absolutely brilliant. He's not had much to smile about over the past few months but this put a smile on his face.
The in-flight footage was a bonus.
Highly recommend.

60th wedding anniversary and 85th birthday present. 30 minutes in the back seat of Spitfire. 10 minutes having hands on control. Then the pilot, warbirds legend Stu Goldspink, performed loops and barrel rolls. Incredible experience.
Aerial Collective staff are super professional and caring for myself and my family making it truly a day to remember. Highly recommended and would love to go again.

Excellent. Can not put into words how wonderful this place is. Staff went above and beyond to make our day .the person who was having the spitfire flight was lost for words on returning and is still now in awe of the experience he had.thankyou to everyone who made it a wonderful day for us all

This was my second booking with Aerial Collective. The first was a Spitfire flight for my father's 75th birthday back in 2020. A stunning experience all round. Five years on, this was my turn but in the Hurricane! Firstly the team at AC are just superb. My thanks in particular to Jack and Jonny for making the whole experience completely perfect.

Secondly, my experience was made all the better as a fellow client was flying a Spitfire at the same time and the team arranged for a joint take off and time together in the air before a rendezvous 20 mins later near Duxford and a run in and break away over the airfield, which was a serious bonus!! (GoPro screen-grab heaven!)

My PIC for the flght was Stu Goldspink who is a seasoned warbird pilot and actually carried out the test flights on BE505 following its two seat conversion back in 2019. Stu was fantastic and gave me plenty of time at the controls which was something I really valued. Overall, one of the best things I've ever done. A Hugh privilege to fly this beautiful aeroplane with Stu. Looking forward to my next flight in the next 12 months. It's a priceless experience!!

The Spitfire experience at Aerial Collective was truly sensational. My guests and myself were made incredibly welcome from the moment we arrived and all the staff made sure we were comfortable and well cared for and made to feel very welcome in a lovely relaxed atmosphere. The flight itself was everything I had hoped for and more. My pilot Stu Goldspink allowed me to take control of the aircraft for most of the flight bar take off, aerobatics and landing. I cannot recommend Aerial Collective highly enough. Great people, great atmosphere and an amazing experience!
Thank you

What an amazing experience. Fulfilling an ambition to fly a genuine warbird, particularly a Spitfire, has been incredible. A professional and detailed safety brief by the brilliant team, followed by a pre-flight chat with Simon my pilot, then into the air! A lot to process at the time, the inflight footage has been rewatched several times. A massive thankyou to all the crew, particularly who carried out my final cockpit checks and chatted to my family whilst I was flying and of course Simon for his incredibly skilful, confidence inspiring piloting skills. A fantastic day.

Being able to fulfill my lifelong ambition of flying in a spitfire was made all the more memorable by the extremely helpful and professional team at Aerial Collective. Their patience, guidance and support was excellent and my pilot, Mike, was great to fly with. His skill is remarkable. My sincere thanks to everyone, I will never forget this incredible experience.

The whole crew were extremely professional and attentive both before and after the flight to ensure a great experience.
The briefings and pre flight information were both interesting as well as essential for safety.
The pilot engaged with us pre flight to ask about what i wanted during the flight. There was some adverse weather pre flight which necessitated a delay but this was also well handled.
Altogether a wonderful time.

Taking a flight in a Spitfire was something I had been thinking about back home in NZ but the Spitfire we had there has been unavailable for sometime. While in the UK recently I had always wanted to visit Duxford and I made a very much spur of the moment decision to see if a flight was available. Fortunately, Aerial Collective had a cancellation and a briefing just starting as I walked in. So straight into the briefing and I was sold. It was such an incredible experience with Lisa’s help and Jon as my pilot. Thank you both for the thrill of a lifetime.

The flight experience was indeed a dream come true. It really was the experience of a lifetime and I could not recommend it enough. The video footage has been watched more times than I can count. It was a privilege to fly with Rats whose knowledge of the area, history and constant commentary all whilst flying, navigating and performing aerobatics left me totally in awe. We loved every moment at Duxford. Should we ever be lucky enough to get to plan another flight experience, we will be sure to come back to the Aerial Collective.

Great experience which I have dreamed for many years.
Excellent, friendly and professional ground staff and pilots.
The whole experience was great, well done.

Many Thanks to your team

An extraordinary, evocative and emotional experience. I cannot speak highly enough of all the Aerial Collective team who were friendly, professional and enthusiastic. They recognise that the flight is a once in a lifetime experience for most people and ensure your enjoyment of the flight is maximised. Superb and would recommend it to anyone thinking about flying a WW2 plane.