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Top Dog Air Combat in Orange County

Location(s): Montgomery Field, San Diego, CA

Top Dog Air Combat

Ever dream of being a fighter pilot? Now those dreams can come true when you fly the Varga VG-21 aircraft in real, hands-on, heart pounding aerial dogfight.
  • Travel Channel #1 pick, serving Southern California since 1994
  • You fly 90% of the time! Absolutely no experience necessary!
  • Learn from active-duty Marine Corps and Navy fighter pilots
  • Real air-to-air combat! An aerial experience you will never forget!
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Description:
Do your palms get sweaty watching the movie Top Gun? This is just like you've seen on TV and in the movies, except you will be the one doing the yankin' and bankin'!

This is a hands-on, heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping aerial combat mission.

After takeoff, you take over to get the feel of the controls en route to "enemy territory." Once there, your instructor will demonstrate an engagement and the maneuvers discussed during your pre-flight briefing. Then you are back in control for 3 full-on, claws-out dogfights.

You fly under the guidance of your assigned pilot, many of whom are real active-duty Marine Corps and Navy fighter pilots are. You call the shots, literally! No pilot's license or experience required.

Go ahead, make an Ace of yourself!

Your Aircraft
Your aircraft is a propeller-driven, 150-horsepower Varga VG-21s. They have excellent climb and turning performance, and room for two pilots in tandem seating with joystick controls. They are an absolute pleasure to fly.

Availability:
Year Round on Saturdays and Sundays.

Times are 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. normally, with a 5:00 p.m. slot added during the summer.

Location(s):
Montgomery Field, San Diego, CA

Essential Information:

A minimum of 2 participants is required for the air combat mission. Participants booking as individuals will be placed on a 'stand by' list until they can be paired with someone else.

No experience necessary. Participants should be at least 10 years of age and must weigh no more than 230 pounds and be no taller than 6'3".

Gratuity is not included but customary.

Duration:
1.5-2 hour total with 35-45 minutes of flight time.

Maximum Participants:
1 per plane

Spectators:
Allowed, you can watch the take off and landing, however you may not be able to see the actual flight.

Weather Dependent:
This experience is weather dependent. Always contact the Experience provider with any questions regarding weather conditions.

What to Wear:
Wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes sneakers recommended.

Booking Information:
For this experience, it is recommended to request bookings at least 21 days in advance.

Cancellation Policy:
Prior to scheduling/booking a date for this experience, Cloud 9's standard return and exchange policy shall apply. Once you have scheduled a date and received a booking confirmation, no refunds will be given. Cancellations and rebooking are allowed up to 14 days prior to the Experience. All cancellations are subject to a 10% fee. Failure to appear on your booked date or to cancel and rebook at least 14 days prior to your booked date will result in the loss of the value of your Experience. In the event your experience is canceled due to inclement weather you will reschedule your experience directly with your experience provider.

Experience ID:
AIR-OCN-0005

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Customer Comments (View All)
Rebecca & Shivan San Diego Top Dog Air Combat
Top Dog Air Combat

Location:
San Diego

This was absolutely the best experience of our lives. We highly recommend this to everyone!
Rebecca & Shivan

This was absolutely the best experience of our lives. We highly recommend this to everyone!

4.5 / 5 stars

The experience provider in San Diego is an excellent company and you are in the very experienced hands of ex-navy pilots. We had a great and exciting time.

4.5 / 5 stars

From n/a

I thoroughly enjoyed the dog fights yesterday! Don did an excellent job guiding me through it and making it a fantastic and memorable experience. And tell Tom that he was right about the G forces - those hard turns kicked my ass but it was worth every gut-wrenching minute! I'll be back.

4.5 / 5 stars

4.5 out of 5 stars - based on 3 reviews
  1. Is this experience safe?
    Yes.  All the pilots are FAA Certified Commercial Pilots, and most are also Certified Flight Instructors.  Many of the pilots are either active-duty military pilots or airline pilots.
  2. Do I need any flying experience?
    Absolutely not! Most of our customers do not have a pilot's license, and many have never even flown in a single-engine aircraft.
  3. Can I do this? Will I have fun?
    Absolutely! Second only to safety is our pledge for you to have FUN! FUN! FUN! It is a flying experience you will talk about and remember forever. Everyone can do it. During your flying adventure, you will be continuously coached by your instructor pilot to ensure a successful mission, and you will walk away with a unique sense of achievement that will be difficult to top.
  4. Will I suffer motion sickness while engaging in air combat?
    Based on our experience, less than 10% of customers suffer from motion sickness. We attribute this low rate to the fact that you are in control of the aircraft. You are far less likely to become ill while in control than as a passenger. Secondly, you will be taught to focus on your opponent at all times; not the horizon. This will not only ensure you get the kill, it will provide a more stable reference point. Nonetheless, this is your experience. Should at any time during the flight you begin to feel uncomfortable, simply lighten up on the controls and tell your instructor. He will do what he can to make your flying adventure more enjoyable.
  5. What is the Itinerary?
    Expect to be there bout 2 hours. Upon arrival you will suit up in a flight suit and attend the ground school portion of our program (lasts about 45-60 minutes). You will learn safety procedures, tactics and maneuvers, rules of engagement and the physiological effects of g-force. Then you'll grab a parachute and helmet, head out to the aircraft, and climb into the cockpit alongside your instructor pilot for the actual air combat mission.  You will have about 45 minutes of actual flight time.
  6. Can I control the plane during take off and landing?
    Unfortunately due insurance regulations, the instructor pilot must handle the controls during take off and landing, even if you are a certified pilot.
  7. Can people with physical challenges fly with you?
    Generally, yes. We're willing to try if you are. We've had folks that are blind and deaf fly with us, and we've helped paraplegics and quadriplegic find a way to make it work. We have had chronologically, gravitationally, and geographically challenged people fly with us too. We enjoy sharing the fun with everyone, if we possibly can, and if you'll be patient and give us some warning that you'll need a little extra help we'll do everything we can.  Please contact Cloud 9 Living if you have concerns.