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Hillaero
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the total operating cost climbs to around $8,000 - 10,000 per hour. This is covered by a combination of appearance fees, merchandise sales, donations and as of just recently, rides.
Doc’s Friends received FAA approval for passenger flights in July. Each “B-29 Doc Flight Experience” is approximately 90 minutes and includes a 30-minute ride. Rides can be purchased on the Doc’s Friends website and either coincide with an air show or take place during a “Ride Weekend” in Doc’s hometown of Wichita. Proceeds go directly toward supporting the Doc’s Friends mission.
The B-29’s infamous tunnel was originally designed in order to connect the pressurized fore and aft sections of the airplane, while the bomb bays below remained unpressurized.
Back to the Flight
After just 15-20 minutes of flight time, we are out of the city and flying our assigned altitude. We cruise along at about 200 mph with the total flight expected to be 2.5 hours. I am tagging along as the group makes its way to the Chippewa Valley Air Show where Doc will be on static display for the weekend. The crew is relaxed and carrying on casual conversations. Like old friends, they ex- change stories, ask about family members and discuss the weather. Thanks to the B-29’s modernized panel, navigation is simple with the inclusion of Garmin’s GTN 650, GTX 33 and GDL 88.
It’s not long into the flight when the crew tells me it is safe to move about, and invites me to explore. Though it’s tough to abandon the views from the bombardier seat, I am curious to check out the rest of Doc. I climb over the seat and make my way toward the infamous tunnel.
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September 2018
TWIN & TURBINE • 19