Practical things
What should I wear for my Tiger Moth flight?
Even on sunny days, we recommend wearing long trousers as it can be a bit chilly once you’re up in the air. To keep you toasty, we’ll kit you out in a genuine sheepskin Irvin jacket when you arrive, as well as a flying helmet, goggles and a silk scarf. Perfect for a Biggles-esque pre-take-off pose.
Closed, flat shoes are best as there’s a bit of a step up to get into the cockpit.
If you’d like to change before or after your flight, there are toilets at the flying club.
Even on sunny days, we recommend wearing long trousers as it can be a bit chilly once you’re up in the air. To keep you toasty, we’ll kit you out in a genuine sheepskin Irvin jacket when you arrive, as well as a flying helmet, goggles and a silk scarf. Perfect for a Biggles-esque pre-take-off pose.
Closed, flat shoes are best as there’s a bit of a step up to get into the cockpit.
If you’d like to change before or after your flight, there are toilets at the flying club.
What time should I arrive?
There’s a little bit of paperwork to do before we get airborne but we've included this time in your booking. So just arrive at the airfield at the time of your booking and we'll have you airborne in half an hour or so. If you arrive a bit early, you can always have a drink at the clubhouse before heading over for your flight.
There’s a little bit of paperwork to do before we get airborne but we've included this time in your booking. So just arrive at the airfield at the time of your booking and we'll have you airborne in half an hour or so. If you arrive a bit early, you can always have a drink at the clubhouse before heading over for your flight.
Can I bring some friends and family to watch?
Absolutely! And don’t forget the camera for the pre-flight posing. All we ask is that they stand well clear once we’re ready to brief you and start the engine.
Absolutely! And don’t forget the camera for the pre-flight posing. All we ask is that they stand well clear once we’re ready to brief you and start the engine.
What happens if the weather’s bad on the day of my flight?
If the weather’s looking iffy, your pilot will give you a call in advance to re-arrange your flight. Since it’s all arranged direct, he or she will do all they can to find a time that suits everyone. You can always call your pilot the afternoon before your flight if you're concerned about the weather.
If the weather’s looking iffy, your pilot will give you a call in advance to re-arrange your flight. Since it’s all arranged direct, he or she will do all they can to find a time that suits everyone. You can always call your pilot the afternoon before your flight if you're concerned about the weather.
Is there a minimum/maximum age, height or weight?
Passengers must be at least 16 but there’s no upper age limit. One of our most enthusiastic students was 91! The most important thing is that you’re able to do a bit of clambering to get up the wing and into the cockpit.
Maximum weight: 16-18 stone; minimum height: 4'11'' (150cm). If you’re comfortable in a standard car seat you should be fine in the cockpit.
Passengers must be at least 16 but there’s no upper age limit. One of our most enthusiastic students was 91! The most important thing is that you’re able to do a bit of clambering to get up the wing and into the cockpit.
Maximum weight: 16-18 stone; minimum height: 4'11'' (150cm). If you’re comfortable in a standard car seat you should be fine in the cockpit.
Can I go flying if I’m pregnant?
We can only take one passenger so unfortunately not! The cockpit can be a bit of a squeeze and we want you to be comfortable for your flight.
We can only take one passenger so unfortunately not! The cockpit can be a bit of a squeeze and we want you to be comfortable for your flight.
The airfield |
Where’s the airfield?
Tiger Flights is based in White Waltham, not far from the M4.
White Waltham Airfield
Waltham Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 3NJ
Tiger Flights is based in White Waltham, not far from the M4.
White Waltham Airfield
Waltham Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 3NJ
Is there parking at the airfield?
Yes, there's plenty of parking at White Waltham.
Yes, there's plenty of parking at White Waltham.
Are there toilets at the airfield?
Yes, in the clubhouse.
Yes, in the clubhouse.
Is there somewhere to buy food and drinks at the airfield?
Yes, there’s a bar and restaurant which serve food and drinks. As part of your trial lesson, you’ll be given temporary membership to West London Aero Club so you’re welcome to relax in the clubhouse before or after your flight.
Yes, there’s a bar and restaurant which serve food and drinks. As part of your trial lesson, you’ll be given temporary membership to West London Aero Club so you’re welcome to relax in the clubhouse before or after your flight.
Orders and bookings |
Where can I book a flight?
You can drop in and buy a voucher in person from West London Aero Club at White Waltham airfield. Otherwise, go to wlac.co.uk.
You can drop in and buy a voucher in person from West London Aero Club at White Waltham airfield. Otherwise, go to wlac.co.uk.
Can I extend my flight time?
If we have time on the day, we'll be happy to take you for a longer flight. An extra 10 minutes in the air is £50 and you can pay on the day.
If we have time on the day, we'll be happy to take you for a longer flight. An extra 10 minutes in the air is £50 and you can pay on the day.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind?
Yes, but there'll be an admin fee. Call West London Aero Club on 01628 827232 to find out more.
Yes, but there'll be an admin fee. Call West London Aero Club on 01628 827232 to find out more.
What values of gift voucher are available?
Vouchers are available from £220 for a 30-minute trial lesson.
Vouchers are available from £220 for a 30-minute trial lesson.
The flight |
How high will we go?
About 2,000 feet. High enough to get a great view of the surrounding countryside, but low enough that you can count all the back garden swimming pools (there are more than you’d think...).
About 2,000 feet. High enough to get a great view of the surrounding countryside, but low enough that you can count all the back garden swimming pools (there are more than you’d think...).
How fast will we go?
About 80mph. Since the aircraft’s so light, it actually takes very little speed to get her off the ground. Once we’re up in the air, we’ll take a slow, lazy look around the local area.
About 80mph. Since the aircraft’s so light, it actually takes very little speed to get her off the ground. Once we’re up in the air, we’ll take a slow, lazy look around the local area.
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Where will we go?
There are a few local landmarks we like to visit (the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang windmill in the Chilterns is a bit of a favourite) but it depends on the weather and what else is going on that day. If there’s something in particular you’d like to see, just have a word with the pilot before you take off.
There are a few local landmarks we like to visit (the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang windmill in the Chilterns is a bit of a favourite) but it depends on the weather and what else is going on that day. If there’s something in particular you’d like to see, just have a word with the pilot before you take off.
Is it noisy on board?
Once the lovely de Havilland engine’s running on the ground, you’ll have to raise your voice to be heard. Up in the air, you’ll be wearing a flying helmet with built in headphones and a microphone so you’ll be able to talk to and hear the pilot clearly.
Once the lovely de Havilland engine’s running on the ground, you’ll have to raise your voice to be heard. Up in the air, you’ll be wearing a flying helmet with built in headphones and a microphone so you’ll be able to talk to and hear the pilot clearly.
Can I talk to the pilot once we’re airborne?
Of course. There’s a microphone and headphones built into the flying helmet so you can talk to the pilot. Remember to listen out for “you have control”! When it’s time to hand back to the instructor, he or she will say “I have control”.
If you have any questions while you’re airborne, ask away. The pilot will just need quiet while he or she manages any radio messages on take-off and landing.
Of course. There’s a microphone and headphones built into the flying helmet so you can talk to the pilot. Remember to listen out for “you have control”! When it’s time to hand back to the instructor, he or she will say “I have control”.
If you have any questions while you’re airborne, ask away. The pilot will just need quiet while he or she manages any radio messages on take-off and landing.
I suffer from motion sickness, might I feel airsick?
It can be a bit bumpy at times but thanks to the open cockpit, you’ll get plenty of cool, fresh air which tends to help.
If you’re at all worried, just let the pilot know and he or she will do their best to ensure a smooth ride. And if you start turning green mid-air, just let the pilot know and they’ll get you back on terra firma as soon as they can.
It can be a bit bumpy at times but thanks to the open cockpit, you’ll get plenty of cool, fresh air which tends to help.
If you’re at all worried, just let the pilot know and he or she will do their best to ensure a smooth ride. And if you start turning green mid-air, just let the pilot know and they’ll get you back on terra firma as soon as they can.
Will we do any aerobatics?
No, we're not allowed to do any loops or rolls with a passenger on board.
No, we're not allowed to do any loops or rolls with a passenger on board.
Can I take my camera on board?
Unfortunately not. You'll be too busy at the controls of the Tiger Moth, anyway (and we don't want you losing it overboard, mid-air).
Unfortunately not. You'll be too busy at the controls of the Tiger Moth, anyway (and we don't want you losing it overboard, mid-air).
The Tiger Moth |
When was the plane built?
G-AXXV was built in 1943. You can read her full history in Our Tiger Moth.
G-AXXV was built in 1943. You can read her full history in Our Tiger Moth.
What’s she made of?
The fuselage is made of wood and steel which is then covered in tightly stretched fabric. An empty Tiger Moth only weighs around 500kg.
The fuselage is made of wood and steel which is then covered in tightly stretched fabric. An empty Tiger Moth only weighs around 500kg.