Flying Experiences & Experience Days at Cotswold Airport...

Few airports boast a history as rich as Cotswold Airport, formally known as RAF Kemble and once home to the RAF Red Arrows. So where better to enjoy a flight experience to sample the beauty of the surrounding Cotswolds scenery and excitement of flight in historic aircraft.

We host a variety of operators offering pleasure flights, from Classic Spitfire flights with Fly A Spitfire to scenic helicopter tours and fast jet rides. Our resident light aircraft flight schools can also offer a taste of adventure alongside your learning experience.

The Cotswold Airport Aviation Scholarship takes place every year, where 8 local scholars aged between 14-17 are introduced to the many careers within the aviation industry. To find out more and discover how to apply, head to our Aviation Scholarship page.

Fly A Spitfire

Take flight in one of the most legendary combat planes to take to the skies from Cotswold Airport. Select from a range of packages to enjoy the local scenery in unforgettable style.

Each of the Spitfires is a genuine 1940s RAF veteran, meticulously restored to its original glory and maintained to the highest aviation standards. With dual controls and full radio communications, you’ll not only experience the thrill of flight but also gain an authentic insight into what it was like for the heroic pilots who once flew these magnificent machines. Choose from multiple flight routes, each offering breathtaking views of the Cotswolds and beyond.

Every flight includes the chance to perform the legendary Victory Roll, an exhilarating manoeuvre that embodies the spirit of the Spitfire. Friends and family are welcome to share the moment with unlimited viewing facilities at the airfield, and your unforgettable experience will be captured with a free onboard video. You’ll also receive a flight certificate, exclusive flight patch, and a set of official Air Council pilot’s notes for the Spitfire Mk IX. The perfect memento of an extraordinary day in the skies.

Experience Flying a Vampire Jet

For qualified pilots with their PPL that are looking to experience the thrill of a vintage fighter jet, the Vampire provides an ideal entry into the world of fast jet training.

The de Havilland Vampire T.11 is a classic jet trainer renowned for its stability, responsive handling, and impressive performance. Powered by the Rolls-Royce Goblin engine producing 3,200 lbs of thrust, the Vampire accelerates powerfully and climbs effortlessly, even at maximum take-off weight. Its large bubble canopy provides exceptional visibility, while dual controls allow both pilot and instructor to share the experience, just as trainee jet pilots did in the early years of the jet age. The cockpit, though compact, is intuitively laid out, with every control close at hand for a true hands-on flying experience.

In the air, the Vampire is both elegant and exhilarating. It’s capable of smooth loops, fast rolls, and graceful wing-overs, offering the perfect blend of precision and thrill. Despite its jet-powered performance, the Vampire’s flight characteristics remain forgiving, with gentle stall behaviour and stable recovery, making it a pleasure to fly. From rapid take-off to the final smooth landing, this rare opportunity to pilot a genuine British jet trainer is an unforgettable step back into aviation history, and a chance to feel the power and grace of one of Britain’s first operational jet aircraft.

Fly In A P-51 Mustang

Fly in the P-51D Mustang, the iconic long-range WWII fighter that flew alongside Spitfires and Hurricanes during the 1940s. Now you can ‘ride shotgun’ in the rear seat of ‘Moonbeam McSwine’, one of the most recognisable Mustangs still flying today. This legendary aircraft combines raw power, precision engineering, and timeless style.

Powered by the same Rolls-Royce Merlin engine as the Spitfire, the Mustang delivers a symphony of power and performance that few aircraft can match. Before take-off, you’ll receive a detailed pre-flight briefing, covering cockpit layout, equipment, and safety procedures. The experience begins with around 10 minutes of taxiing and pre-flight checks, giving you a front-row seat to the sights, sounds, and sensations as your pilot brings the Merlin engine to life.

Once airborne, you’ll spend a minimum of 20 minutes in flight aboard this veteran US warbird, taking in the extraordinary views from over the pilot’s shoulder as the Mustang roars through the skies. Feel the exhilarating power of the engine, the smooth precision of the controls, and the thrill of performing the famous Victory Roll. Your experience includes a free digital video (worth £150) to relive the adventure and a souvenir pack with a personalised flight certificate, a fitting reminder of your time aboard one of the greatest fighter aircraft ever built.

Experience the Blackburn Buccaneer

Want to experience the Blackburn Buccaneer from the back seat?

At each event held by the Buccaneer Aviation Group, they offer either a fast taxi run or a static engine run, and give you the opportunity to experience the aircraft from the observer’s perspective.