Bucket List: Ride in a Bi-plane

READY TO FLY!  On a beautiful summer day in August, I found an advertisement for bi-plane rides in Cape Cod and knew instantly I was going up.  My bucket lists contain a wide variety of adventures including many forms transportation. One of the top list items is riding in a bi-plane. I have always been nostalgic about the 1920’s and wanted to experience flight in one of these beautiful planes…. A red bi-plane was a BONUS and a thrill of a lifetime!

The flyer led me to Cape Cod Airfield. This is a grass strip airport in Marston Mills, MA with 80+ acres of open field, 3 runways, 2 hangers and an old windmill. The airfield dates back tot he 1920’s and was initially started as an Army Training Corps training field.  You will feel like you stepped back in time. As I walked into the hangar, there was a group of 6 men in their 70’s enjoying their morning coffee and a chat in the hangar. They all stopped and chatted as I requested a bi-plane ride with some friendly banter. I was a bit nervous to go up but felt oddly settled as I figured these guys had been flying for 50 years.

The owner then told me he was going to have his grandson take me up. GULP!  The 20-something grandson appeared and explained he had been flying since he was in his teens and there was nothing to worry about.  Not a single piece of paperwork was signed… these guys were old school. The grandson quickly moved the red snoopy biplane out of the hangar and within minutes, I had on the leather skullcap and was in the front cockpit feeling like the Red Baron. A quick taxi down the grassy field runway and we were up in the air! Cape Cod is absolutely breathtaking in the air. The pilot took me over woods, beaches, lakes, inlets and the open ocean. It was an absolute thrill to feel the wind in my face and be able to stick my arm out the cockpit and feel the clouds.  The huge rush of adrenaline diminished to such a feeling of calm. I completely understand how people become obsessed with flying small planes.

Our flight lasted about 20 minutes as we circled around the different areas of Cape Cod.

The pilot finally circled back to the airfield and lined up to the grassy runway for landing. Again a bit of apprehension. I have flown hundreds of flights in commercial planes and the landings can be bumpy. The biplane landing was BY FAR the softest landing I have ever had.

The biplane is a rebuilt Waco YMF-5 with an open cockpit. Two passengers can ride in the front cockpit. It is rather roomy. I did fly in August, but it was not cold as you are right behind the engine. It is loud even with the cap, but you will immediately forget about this in the pure awe of flying. Tips:

• Website: Click here
• The field also has picnic tables. So you can watch the planes before or after your flight or just enjoy looking at the old planes if you are ready for that flight.
• This airfield also has longer flights and aerobatic flights for the more adventurous. I will be back!