Expert: Rod Powers - 1/26/2006

Question
Hi Rod.


Your comment,

"I'm afraid you are past the age limit.  To become a pilot in the Air Force, you must meet a selection board before age 28 1/2.  To become a pilot in the Marine Corps or Navy, the age cut-off is age 26 for non-prior service."


Yeah, I kind of figured I am too old to be a fighter pilot. But I read an article that actor Michael Dorn, of Star Trek fame rents jets and flies them during his spare time. The jets he flies are apparently from the air force, but the weapons have been removed. I'm just curious as to how he's able to fly jets despite never serving in the air force.


Is it true that one can rent out jets? If so, where?


Best regards,

Julian  

Answer
Hi Julian,

Neither the U.S. Air Force, nor any of the other U.S. military services ever rent their aircraft to private individuals.

In fact, the U.S. Air Force won't even sell a decommissioned aircraft. All decommissioned Air Force aircraft are placed in the Air Force "bone yard" at Davis Mothan AFB, in Arizona.

However, the same manufacturers that manufacture U.S. Military aircraft also sell versions of those aircraft to foreign governments (with the approval of the President and Congress).  When those governments decommission an aircraft, they sometimes will sell them to private individuals and private companies.  There are several commercial agencies which have bought such aircraft, and one can "rent" them for flight.  Here are a few of them:

http://threedaviation.com/
http://www.aircombatusa.com/
http://www.fighterpilotsusa.com/

Micheal Dorn reportably owns a Sabre fighter jet (F-86), which he purchased from South Africa.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com