FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Weather
Will I get wet if we fly through the rain?
Hardly. In flight, the plane is so fast that the water drops fly over you and do not fall fast enough to catch your face. While taxiing on the ground we would be slow enough and technically yes - but you’ll be pretty dry with the protective upper wing above your head. It's the same in the air but it's very different on the ground for the pilot. The pilot sits free and gets a refreshing shower while taxiing on the taxiway. Some WACO pilots do indeed have an umbrella with them.
Can a biplane still take off in rain, clouds and wind?
Below 2000ft / 600m GND the minimum visibility is 5km. Provided that with constant visibility of the ground or water a reversal curve within visibility range is possible, even a minimum visibility of 1.5km applies. If the wind blows with more than 15kt (approx. 5Bft) sideways to the runway, we move slowly but surely in the range of the airplanes limits.
Travel comfort
What is the perfect clothing?
You are well protected from wind and weather. It’s something between a convertible car and a motorbike ride. There is a wonderful breeze on hot days, sometimes a light wind jacket is almost too much. Warm socks and gloves feel very good in wintertime. Sports shoes with soft soles are most comfortable as footwear. High-heels can cause holes in the hi-tech upholstery, we prefer to leave these beautiful pieces of clothing in the luggage compartment.
Sunglasses and sun cream are highly recommended.
You will receive a real leather aviator's cap with integrated headset for communication for the flight. The headset offers a bluetooth connection and you can enjoy your favourite music via your mobile phone.
Can I take pictures and make phone calls?
In any case! The pilot flies by sight and the navigation instruments are unproblematic in visual flight. You have mobile phone reception up to about 3-4’000ft above ground most of the time. Care should be taken when holding the phone out of the aircraft. The airflow is often stronger than your compact grip.
How much space do I have?
The design of the plane is from the 20's - the last century! Not much emphasis was placed on legroom and comfort at that time. There is officially room for two people in the passenger cockpit. A well-built person and a slim one tolerates it quite well, the freedom of movement in the cockpit is then virtually zero. I recommend to make several stops for longer flights. If you want enough space you can alternate with another person(s) and several stops - which means a lot of fun with the take-off and landing on different airfields. Groups with an escort vehicle, alternating legs with a airliner - or even a second WACO can be booked.
How much luggage can I take with me?
The maximum take-off weight is 1328kg. Depending on the weight of the passengers and the amount of fuel, we know the available weight for your luggage. Usually a light bag with a camera is most comfortable. Sailing bags are ideal for longer trips.
How fast we fly?
The biplane is a decelerating matter. If you try to do something fast, it will not work. It starts as soon as you board the plane allready. Knowing how, it works perfectly. No rush. We chug leisurely through the countryside. In motorbike terms, the "Harley of the air". The cruising speed is around 160-180km/h. Depending on wind and altitude it lengthens or shortens the travel time.
Does the travel sickness catch me?
The fresh air does its blessing. There were already some passengers on board, who quickly got a bad feeling on ships or even in the car. That was hardly an issue until now. And if it does, the pilot returns to the airport immediately. The well-being of the passengers on board is the most central element. Safety first!
May I smoke on board?
Even if we are outside, unfortunately not!
Is there a toilet on board?
For the benefit of passenger comfort, unfortunately not. We take a bio-break before and after the flight.
Can I handle the controls myself?
Unfooooortunately no! Although you are one of the heroes of the air for me anyway, it takes a lot of training to steer this plane safely through wind and weather. If the flying virus gets you, I will send you to my favourite flying instructor. He is happy. You are happy. I'm happy because you two are happy. It's that simple.
Safety
How safe is the biplane during take-off?
Good engine performance is "half the battle", along with clean flying technique on the part of the pilot. With the 300 hp engine, the biplane has a lot of power and together with the Constant Speed Propeller it achieves an ideal power transmission.
How safe is a flight with the biplane?
The biplane is approved for aerobatic flight up to +5.2/-2.1G (+5.2/-2.1 x your body weight). In a regular (non-aerobatic) passenger flight we usually do not even reach the +1G limit. In a aerobatic flight on the other hand, the pilot deliberately wants to move the aircraft in situations outside the normal flight attitude (stall, roll etc.). High-speed aerobaitc airplanes react with lightning speed with the smallest control inputs. This is a great challenge for the pilot with this airplane. The aircraft has such good flight characteristics that the aerobatic pilot has to initiate a false flight situation with extreme precision to bring the aircraft out of its normal flight attitude at all - and keep it there. A very good-natured and predictable behaviour.
How safe is the biplane when landing?
There are two landing techniques to bring the biplane and its passengers back safely to mother barth. The wheel landing - the airplane touches the runway with both front wheels first and with the rear wheel in a second step - and the three-point landing - with the front wheels and the rear wheel at the same time. Wheel landings are easier for overview and handling in crosswinds, the three-point landing especially on shorter runways for a quick stop. Compared to the "nose wheel planes", the pilot has the advantage of being able to choose one or the other landing technique depending on the situation, and can thus adapt ideally to the conditions.
What licenses does the pilot need?
The pilot has both a valid flying license and a valid medical as required by the FOCA. The pilot also has a sufficient training level to perform all flights safely.
Health
Can I fly if I have a cold?
Your body must be able to compensate for the pressure difference in the eardrum because of the difference in altitude. Even if you have had a stuffy nose recently, you may feel healthy, but the inflammation may not have healed completely. This can lead to pain, especially during descent.
Passengers must be fit to fly at the start of the flight and must not suffer from any illnesses (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, claustrophobia, fear of heights, flu, etc.).
Can I fly with very little toothache?
No! Due to the pressure difference in climbing, the air in these cavities expands. As a result, toothache can occur.
Financials
What is the cost price?
The pilot does not earn any money on a cost price flight. The passenger only pays the expenses such as consumption or maintenance costs. The effective rental price of the WACO YMF-5D is double the price per minute of CHF 18 per minute or CHF 92 per minute for acrobatic flights. We even comply with EASA regulations, which require the pilot to contribute equally to the costs.
Until the biplane is ready at the Tarmac to fly, there is a lot to do. Some planes are unhitched and re-hitched in front of the biplane, the plane needs oil and fuel, the passenger cockpit for the guests with radios, helmets etc. needs to be prepared. Of course, the Pilot's office with all administrative tasks is part of it. All flight data must be recorded in the flight log and the pilot's logbook. And last but not least, the biplane has to be cleaned from all mosquitoes and oil stains and parked back in its sleeping place in the hangar.
The time for the actual flight planning, evaluation of weather data, flight safety information and flight registrations are among the free tasks and are free of charge for the passenger.