Phil Ulrich is the pilot and owner of Classic Air Ventures and has been flying for over 30 years, logging over 20,000 hours of flight time (7000 hours of which were in the WACO’s) and has carried over 20,000 very satisfied customers..

     Now for a little about the flights.  Classic Air ventures offer several different flights ranging from 20 minutes to 1+ hour, our most popular flights being the 35 or 45 minute flight.

     Once you’ve decided which flight length is right for you, you are helped into the plane over a small set of steps and into the deep front cockpit, where the two passengers sit side by side. Then there are seat belts to secure and you are outfitted with your own personal ‘40's era flying helmet, goggles and headset.

     Now that you are ready, Phil starts the 220 horsepower engine, the propeller spinning so fast it is nearly invisible, you taxi down the runway and before you know it you are in the air.

     On the 45 minute flight, our most popular, the plane heads out over the city to Cape Coral and Pine Island, out to North Captiva Island, where he will descend to about 300 feet to fly along the scenic coastline. As you fly towards Sanibel Island, you may see dolphin, manatee, sharks or stingrays in the beautiful blue shallows. Then fly along Sanibel’s scenic coastline, down to the Sanibel Lighthouse, where you will do a climbing turn and head across the Gulf to Fort Myers Beach, all of Estero Island and Lover’s Key.

  Back at the airport, landing is as smooth as take-off....it’s hard to tell when the wheels touch the runway!

To complement your adventure, and as proof of courage for some, Phil issues every passenger a flight certificate.  It shows a photo of the plane so that you can remember “the rush” every time you look at it or you may purchase a T-shirt to proudly display your adventure.

Classic Air Ventures Biplane Tours operates out of the Page Field in Fort Myers and Charlotte County Airport in Punta Gorda, from mid-October to mid-May.  You can take a flight between the hours of 11AM - 5PM Tues through Saturday.  There are 5 flight choices, from 20 minutes up to 1+ hour .  The 45 minute flight at $270 (2^nd passenger at no additional cost) is the most popular.  Other flights range from $170 to $330.  Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 941-505-9226 or toll free 888-852-9226.