American businessman John Rost has become the first to complete a new FAA-approved F-104 flight training program at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The new civilian astronaut training program for licensed pilots is offered exclusively by commercial space marketing company Infinity Space, Inc. Ground school and in-flight instruction is provided by Starfighters, Inc., operators of the largest privately-owned fleet of F-104 aircraft.
Rost completed four training flights in the Mach 2+ Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, the same supersonic plane used to prepare Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts for space travel. His ground school and flight training was completed at NASA’s Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), providing an opportunity to use the same runway the Space Shuttle returned to after coming back from its space missions.
Rost completed his multi-day training program with Starfighters Aerospace, a privately-owned company that maintains a fleet of F-104 Starfighters approved for use in flight training and scientific testing. Starfighters Aerospace is authorized by the FAA to offer civilian space flight training from NASA’s Kennedy Shuttle Landing Facility.
“Wow…nothing can compare to the four training flights I’ve completed thus far with Starfighters at Kennedy Space Center. As a pilot, I thought it would be impossible to top the supersonic MiG-29 flight I experienced in Russia with Incredible Adventures, but being able to follow in the footsteps of the Apollo Astronauts and train in the F-104 at a NASA facility is definitely the pinnacle of my flying life…I felt like Neil Armstrong,” said Rost, who adds he hopes to be one of the first civilians to fly to space.
“We are pleased that John not only enjoyed his flight training in the F-104, but also learned a great deal about flying high-performance fighter aircraft and the unique physical demands of a high-altitude flight,” said Infinity Space Co-Founder Gregory Claxton. “We’re proud to be partnering with Starfighters Aerospace to further commercial space efforts and bring new business to NASA’s Shuttle Landing Facility.”
F-104 Flight Training follows a comprehensive syllabus for the purpose of type-specific training in the F-104 and is authorized by a Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) issued to Starfighters by the FAA in September 2017. The amount of time it takes to complete the training will vary by pilot, but is anticipated to range from three to 10 days.
Rost’s F-104 training program started with ground school and a detailed flight safety briefing, complete with ejection seat and parachute training. He then completed four of the seven training flights required to qualify for an F-104 type rating. As part of his approved training, he experienced a high-speed vertical climb designed to simulate the high sustained g-forces of a rocket launch, and a shuttle-style approach and landing over the SLF’s three-mile runway. He also performed a parabolic maneuver that produced a space-like sensation of weightlessness.
Licensed pilots interested in completing F-104 flight training can apply by contacting Infinity Space at 321-282-4466 or by visiting FlyAStarfighter.com.
Infinity Space is a commercial air and space industries consulting, advisory and marketing firm. Based in Florida it was founded by Rebecca Zgorski, a former Washington, D.C. space analyst who is also one the co-creators of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s Commercial Space Operations Degree Program, the first of its kind in the world, and Gregory Claxton, a 20-year commercial space veteran who previously headed two commercial space company’s business development departments.
Starfighters was founded in 1995 by President and Chief Pilot Rick Svetkoff. The company operates a fleet of Lockheed F-104 Starfighters, a supersonic fighter aircraft that had a 50-year operational history with 15 countries including the U.S. and Canada. Starfighters operates the world’s only fleet of flight-ready F-104 supersonic aircraft. Based at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and operating under authorization from the FAA, these aircraft are available to government and commercial customers for a variety of missions.
Actually, $30K for such an unique flying experience doesn’t appear to be out-of-line for those folks with the means to consider such extravagant additions to their “bucket list.” Practical? No, but definitely awesome! Perhaps a F-104 type-rating could be an excellent choice for a Father’s Day gift for a privileged pilot.
Fighter jets are designed on the edge of stability, it’s what makes them so maneuverable These have a particularly bad reputation for being unforgiving. These jets have served usefully in their time and should be in a museum only. There are better jets for flight training and should be utilized. A turbofan jet would be more economical in any event, especially in a business situation.
Actually, $30k for 7 flights and an LOA is less than I expected. Checking out in a CAF fighter could cost more with the preparatory T-6 time.
Read the Fly A Starfighter Brochure:
“back seat operations”
“36,000 feet”
“near supersonic speeds”
And what does “limited-access” flight training mean?
Sounds more like an airplane ride that flight training!
Near supersonic and FL360 sounds like any jet!
Funny that article lacks one key metric – the costs of the package (rumored to be $30K). Then again, if you have to ask the price- like so many other things in aviation – it probably isn’t for you. 🙁
You are correct on the price and one’s affordability.
I remember when I Cape Town South Africa, a English Electric Lighting ride at Mach 2 was $10,000 US. I wanted it and was ready to cough up, but they were shut when I was there.
I was a Navy jock, F8 Crusader, same engine as the F-104, but not as fast. The F8U was an air superiority fighter, not an interceptor. If you are not up to I guess FL 450 – 500 you will never see M2.