Should I buy this experience?
Who it's for
If you love classic aviation, a flight in a Tiger Moth is a must, as you step into the world of fabric covered wings, bracing wires and wooden propellors. It may date from a bygone age, but even today the Tiger Moth holds a very large place in the hearts of anyone who has ever flow in one. This is British aeronautical engineering at its best!
Who it's not for
If you’re not keen on flying you probably won’t be up for flying in a vintage plane that has an entirely open cockpit and seems, quite frankly, rather basic! How about booking a trial flying lesson instead? You’ll fly in a modern light aircraft, all warm and cosy inside the fully-closed cockpit!
Tiger Moth flights FAQs
How much does it cost to fly in a vintage plane like the Tiger Moth?
Considering how much it costs to restore, maintain and fly one of these beautiful vintage planes, these Tiger Moth flying experiences are pretty reasonably priced, starting at around £125 for a 15-minute weekday flight.
How many airworthy Tiger Moths are there in the UK?
It is estimated there are around 250 Tiger Moths around the world, with a fairly large number of those flying in the UK. Many are privately owned and flown, which means there are very few that operate passenger flights. Here at Into The Blue we specialise in flying, which is why we have one of the largest ranges of Tiger Moth and vintage biplanes flight experiences.
How old will the plane be that I’m flying in?
Tiger Moths first flew in 1931 and were built up until 1944. We have a range of de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moths on the books from various productions years (most were built in Hatfield or Cowley, but some under license abroad). The oldest on our books is at Headcorn in Kent and she was built in 1933. She was actually the third ever DH82a version ever built and she's still as graceful and smooth as the day she first flew.
What’s the difference between the Tiger Moth and the Gispy Moth?
Here’s the story. The RAF needed a trainer and fast. De Havilland proposed the Gipsy Moth, but it was rejected with one of the main reasons being that the position of the aircraft's top wing meant a pilot wearing a parachute couldn't bail out of the plane. So de Havilland hastily went back to the workshop (no time for going back to the drawing board) and made several changes, including pushing the wings forward, thus creating the Tiger version of the Moths. And the rest, as they say, is history!
Was the Tiger Moth used by the RAF?
They certainly were. In full production from 1932 to 1944, over 8400 Tiger Moths were built. This legendary aircraft was the RAF's Primary Trainer. She was a formidable plane for newbie pilots and although simple to fly, she's very difficult to master and can be quite a handful - especially in the wind. Instructor pilots loved it, as she certainly knew how to weed out the wheat from the chaff, making it easy to select potential fighter pilots who would go on to fly in Spitfires. (And did you know you can fly in a Spitfire too?).
What happened to these Tiger Moths after the war?
Once demobbed in 1959 by the RAF, the planes found themselves new careers as everything from crop dusters to tugs. It's hard to imagine now, but post-war you could pick up a demobbed Tiger Moth for around £60, or you could get two for £100! Thankfully aviation enthusiasts have kept several of these machines flying from airfields around the country.
Will the Tiger Moth I'm in do aerobatics?
Yes! They might not be as slick and aerodynamic as modern day aerobatics aircraft, but the Tiger Moth can still hold her own when it comes to loops! Depending on the duration of your flight, conditions on the day, if you’re up for it and you’re instructor agrees, you can experience some gentle aerobatic moves in a Tiger Moth on your flight experience!
I’ve heard a Tiger Moth has no brakes - if so, how de we stop?
Yep. Indeed, one of the biggest challenges for modern-day pilots is that there are no brakes. You might have heard of the expression 'tail dragger' and that's because originally the Moth had no tail wheel, it was a metal plate that dragged on the ground to slow down, hence no tarmac runway takeoffs. Although many have been modified to include a tail wheel these days.
Which seat do I sit in for my Tiger Moth flight?
You’re going to be up front right behind the propellor! Contrary to what you might think would happen, in a tandem configuration aircraft your pilot instructor sits behind you. Of course, that makes communicating tricky (especially with the noise of an open cockpit), so you will both have a headset on for the flight.
The look pretty flimsy compared to modern planes…
The airframe is wood, the wings are made from wooden struts covered by fabric and the cockpit is totally open to the elements. Yes, they’re totally different to modern aircraft, but that is the thrill of classic aviation. It’s back to basic flying at its best!
Is flying in a Tiger moth safe?
All Tiger Moths operating flights are fully registered and carefully maintained in accordance with current CAA rules and regulations. As with any form of flying, there is an inherent risk. All pilots are type-rated (which means they are trained are licensed to fly this specific type of aircraft) and highly experienced.
Is it noisy inside the cockpit?
The Tiger Moth has an open cockpit and a propellor, so yes, it will be pretty noisy up there! Don’t worry though, you won’t have to learn hand signals, you communicate with your instructor pilot via the headphone and microphone set you’ll be wearing.
What should I wear for my flight?
It’s open to the elements, so dress for the weather. As well as a jacket, you might need a hat and gloves. Several of our Tiger Moth flight schools go the whole hog and loan you the flying jacket and old-school helmet with googles for the flight to really get you into the spirit of vintage aviation.
Will I be able to have a go at flying the Tiger Moth?
This is subject to the agreement of your instructor pilot, but yes, in most cases you will have a chance to ‘take control’ and experience first hand what’s it’s like to fly a Tiger Moth during your flight.
Is my cancelled in bad weather?
Tiger Moths need good weather conditions to fly in and are especially susceptible to wind. If your flight has to be unavoidably cancelled, the operator will take all the necessary steps to book you in for another date.
Are there any restrictions on who can fly in a Tiger Moth?
This can vary from one operator to another, so please check each individual experience page for full details of requirements. In general it’s 14 or 18 year minimum age, between 16 and 18 stone maximum weight and height limits of 4ft 11” minimum to 6ft 7” maximum height.
I want to buy this for my elderly father - is it suitable?
All passengers will need to be agile enough to be able to climb into the cockpit of the Tiger Moth, which involves stepping up onto the wing and into the cockpit. If you need any clarification on this, don’t hesitate to contact us by email, online chat or ‘phone on 01959 578100.
Where can I go for a Tiger Moth flight near me?
We have an extensive range of airfields around the country offering flights in Tiger Moths and other vintage aircraft, so there’s bound to be one near you. Current locations include:
- Duxford
- Salisbury
- Shoreham
- Upminster
- Umberleigh
- Bicester Heritage
- Hither
- Headcorn
- Ashford
- Redhill
- Salisbury
- Kemble
- Brighton
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