Aerial Collective Duxford Reviews 

What an amazing experience, since a small boy I have always been fascinated with Spitfires, I built model Spitfires that decorated my bedroom and attended every air show I could to see them flying. To actually fly in a Spitfire and take the controls is an amazing experience.

I cannot find fault with anything on the day, the staff did everything they could to ensure you had a great experience, which I did.

For anyone with the same love of Spitfires, this experience is a must.

Spitfire Wonderland
Jun 2025 • Friends
There are not enough superlatives in the English language to express how good this experience was. From the initial welcome to the end of the day everything was exceptionally efficient. Charming people who were happy to impart their extensive knowledge of the Spitfire. The pilot in particular was happy to accommodate my 'wish list' and more.
Written 25 June 2025

The staff were very good and looked after you and your family who came to watch the flight.

The experience was everything that I imagined; flying a Spitfire and the aerobatics met all my expectations and more.

I was asked by several of my friends on how I would rate the experience out of 10 and my answer was 11

Aerobotics in a Spitfire. Doesn't get any better. Plus a chance to take control. Best experience ever. Looked after very well by pilot and ground crew. Great facilities.

An absolutely unforgettable experience — truly once in a lifetime. From start to finish, everything was simply incredible. The flight itself was breath-taking, unique and like nothing else we’ve ever done — words can’t fully describe just how special it was.

The entire team were outstanding: so friendly, accommodating and engaging, they instantly made us feel at home and completely at ease. Every detail was taken care of, and we felt genuinely looked after throughout.

A huge thank you especially to the pilot — unbelievably knowledgeable, passionate, helpful and friendly. His enthusiasm and expertise made the whole experience even more memorable.

This is something that will stay with us forever. If you’re thinking about doing it — don’t hesitate. It’s beyond amazing.

This was our 2nd time in Duxford flying the Spitfire with Aerial Collective. It is an incredibly professional and well done experience that I highly recommend. Between the welcome, safety brief and flight it is a true one of kind pleasure. George, Lisa, Jack and of course Rats make the experience unforgettable. Plus all other team members are welcoming and friendly. We will be visiting again next year.

The excitement of flying in an actual WW" Spitfire will be difficult to beat, hands down.

I can’t fault the friendly and professional service from Aerial Collective before, throughout and after my flight experience in Spitfire G-CTIX from Duxford on 28 May. Any nerves about the flight and in particular about the aerobatics were rapidly dispelled by pilot Mike Collet’s smooth handling of the aircraft supported by a great team on the ground. Taking control of the stick for a few minutes while enjoying fantastic views of the clouds, the famous elliptical wings and the green countryside below is something that will stay with me, along with the unmistakable roar of the Merlin engine. Even though they have to turn things around fairly quickly between flights, you are not hustled out after landing and are encouraged to take a moment to enjoy the fact that you are sitting in an actual spitfire cockpit. The cockpit videos - one rear and one forward-facing - supplied are a great reminder of a superb day, complemented by the photos taken by my sister and brother-in-law who were made welcome in the private viewing area. Thanks to all who helped make this a most special experience.

What pilot wouldn't just love to fly in a Spitfire? But most consider it but a dream. Ariel Collective made mine real. I had to travel to the UK from Canada and pay a lot, but it was worth every penny! First, a THOROUGH briefing from George on emergency procedures and then fitted out with a flight suit and gloves.
Before the flight, I had a long chat with Rats, my pilot. Genial and enthusiastic, we talked about our imminent adventure, and then George assisted me with strapping in and plugged in the intercom.
Then Rats fired up the Merlin, 1800 Rolls-Royce supercharged HP, let it warm up, and the magic commenced. Rats delivered the aerobics I requested, although slowly and as poetry. I got a little stick time but all too soon it was over. I got lots of videos and photos to relive it.

Flying in a Spitfire was an unforgettable experience, I'm still processing it days later! Huge thanks to Jack and Selma at Aerial Collective for their professionalism and care throughout, and to pilot Mike Collett for the incredible flight in Spitfire G-CTIX. Living near Duxford, we even did a flyby where my wife managed to record us, hearing that iconic Merlin roar knowing I was in the cockpit is surreal. Though I felt a little unwell early on due to excitement, nerves, the smell of the exhaust fumes and the heat in the cockpit, Mike took us above the clouds to cooler air, which helped me recover and enjoy some aerobatics on the way back. This really was the most amazing experience and thanks once again to Aerial Collective for taking care of me and ensuring I had the most fantastic time.

Thank you so much for looking after my dad on his flight and for taking care of us watching. Smiles all around and perfect weather for it!

We arranged for my husband to go up in a spitfire for his 60th birthday present from the family. Something he has wanted to do for a long time .
It was a fantastic experience for us all from the moment we arrived until we left . The whole team went above and beyond to make the experience so special . The family were included in the hospitality area with refreshments. Staff were available the whole time talking about everything with so much knowledge.
The pilot was amazing and Peter my husband said he made the whole experience complete. Not sure if it’s worth it ? Do it ….. you will not regret it …. The whole team are amazing. Thank you from us all x

Thank you so much to all the team at Duxford who made Saturday one of the best days of my life.
Everything was superbly organised and highly professional.
Who could not wish to Victory Roll above the clouds in the world’s most iconic fighter?
My pilot Mike was outstanding and I’m sure my Uncle Jock who won a DFC would have been observing from even greater heights with pride.
Thank you.
Jock Lloyd-Jones

I bought my husband a Spitfire flight. It has been a dream of his since he was 10. He was 70 this year. It was well worth the wait. The staff and pilot could not have been better. They worked really hard to ensure my husband had a great time. This included asking him where he wanted to fly over, whether he wanted to take the controls, what acrobatics he wanted to experience. They were very professional, kind and friendly. I really cannot speak highly enough of this company. After the flight the goodie bag included a memory stick which contained footage of the flight as recorded by both the tail camera and the cockpit camera and had audio of the interactions through the intercoms. From start to finish they went above and beyond all expectation, and it was magnificent.

This was a fabulous flight| My pilot, Jon Gowdy was very accommodating allowing me control for a huge amount of our flight, as well as being friendly and interesting to talk to on the flight. Flying the Beaver is like travelling back to the 1940s for the feel and serene atmosphere generated by this very stable and immaculate aircraft. If you want to fly something really pleasant and unique try the Beaver.

It was a privilege to fly in a genuine WW2 Spitfire from a famous wartime airfield. All the staff were friendly, helpful and professional. The flight was amazing with effortless rolls and loops and you are allowed to actually take control. It is all recorded from cameras in the cockpit and tailplane along with the intercom so you can relive it all again.

This was a gift I had been waiting years to use and what an experience, everyone was fantastic, accommodating and a joy to be around. I would highly recommend this as it's such a bucket list experience.

Special thanks to all at Aerial Collective Duxford, but a special thanks to Jack, Lisa, Jonny & Stu for making this an experience to remember.

It was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life! If you've considered it but are still trying to decide whether to take the plunge, all I can say is do it! The Aerial collective team know that it’s a big commitment and they make the day feel special.

George, Selma and Jonny clearly love aviation as much as you do and we had a great time chatting away with them as we waited for my turn enjoying, our own little air show from Aerial collective dispersal yard. Positioned just near the end of the runway, all the warbirds flying out of Duxford taxied and took off right in front of us.

I couldn’t have asked for a better Pilot than Willy Hackett. Incredibly friendly and in a way that inspires confidence and puts you at ease. I got some time behind the stick, which is an experience I will never forget.

I asked the team if I could try and replicate a photo of my grandfather taken in 1944 and they couldn’t have been more supportive. They got me in the front seat and wheeled the steps  around to the front of the aircraft to match the photo angle. All the time  checking the original “put the door down, that’s down in the original. Googles up or down? Do a quick check again”. I think they wanted to get it right more than I did!

So to Willy, George, Selma, Jonny and the rest of the Aerial collective team, thank you for one of the best days of my life!!

If you have never done this experience. I beg you to do it, you will not be disappointed with the fantastic team at Aerial Collective.
I choose the Spitfire experience and after 1 aborted attempt due to cross winds and rain I was rebooked onto another day 30/10 /24 by Jack. He did a great job in answering my many questions. Jack called me on the 29th and confirmed that we would be good to fly on 30th.
30th October started overcast and dry but also with breaks in the cloud cover revealing blue sky, and a sun trying to find a way through. I was met in the Duxford shop by George whom I instantly warmed to. Keen to ask me why I choose a Spitfire experience and a host of other questions. George also undertook my briefing. The briefing contained some serious safety information all delivered in a calm, but authoritative manner. George really knows his stuff, Thank you George for explaining to me about the Spitfire evacuation procedures. I'll never forget the D ring on the bunny ears! Briefing complete and signed off, George escorted me across the apron to the their outdoor office to get kitted up and to meet lisa and my pilot Dave "Rats" Ratcliffe.
lisa helped to calm my nerves with a piece of lemon cake and tea while George sorted out a flying suit and helmet. Rat's talked me through what we would be doing, where we would be flying and if I was up for in some areobatics- bring it on! Lisa took me out to my chariot , PT462 (read about her on the website) belted me in, reminded me about the D ring and bunny ears, and then left me with Rats. Rats is a wonderful pilot. Talked me through the many manoeuvres each time before we did them. We laughed, we wooped, we looped the loop, we victory rolled as we swept through the Cambridgshire sky. all so soon it was time to do one beat up of Duxford airfield before coming into land. A perfect 3 pointer.
I can't thank George, lisa, and Rat's enough for making my time so special with them. I was a wonderful experience and will be back before too long I hope. Book it now, you know you want to.

Arriving at Aerial Collective I was made very welcome prior to a comprehensive and detailed briefing before kitting up and inspecting the Blenheim 1. The Blenheim was in stunning condition, clean and bright, the restoration was impecable. After getting in to the observers seat and another briefing the engines were started, more checks, and we were off. The flight was in changable weather with sunshine, clouds and a hint of showers. The design of the Blenheim means sunlight poors into the cockpit with the result the video of flying around the cumulus was spectacular. Back on ground more ground photographs were taken and a small debrief and a discussion undertaken around 139 Squadron who flew the Blenheim. The whole experience was very emotional but enormous fun. The professionalism of all those I met was so nice to see and their welcome and help was greatly enjoyed. I could have spent all day with all the crew but unfortunately they had things to do and it was the end of the day after all. A brilliant day.