On a humorous note, the Airliner Blog has noted that the UK Civil Aviation Authority has refused to recertify Mile High Flight over fears that distracted pilots could cause a crash! The Gloucestershire (UK) based air charter company was founded in 2008 by Mike Crisp and operates Cessna C208 Caravan airplanes that are outfitted with a queen size bed in the rear of the aircraft for the use of its passengers.
However, the Airline Blog reported that Mike doesn’t plan to give up that easily because he has invested more than US$15,000 in equipping the aircraft with the appropriate fire-retardant sheets, upholstery and bedding. Moreover:
The company offers its passengers the option of two flight packages, “The Big One” at $854 (£640) for a 40 minute flight and the “VIP” for a 60 minute flight. In addition for a third person to travel along there is an additional passenger charge of $166.
In other words, Mike probably makes a fair amount of money from his unique aviation “service” but as the blogger behind the Airliner Blog noted:
I would normally be OK with charter sex flights, but this time I agree with CAA. Cessna is a little too small for the sex act as the cockpit is right next to the make-shift bed. There is no way that a pilot will not get distracted with the sounds, visuals and movement! What do you think?
Hence, we would like to ask you what you think about the decision by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Moreover, do you think a Cessna is a bit small for a “mile high” type of operation and might there be a better aircraft to use?
Certainly, there are "better" airplanes for the Mile High Club, but that isn't the point. As a pilot, myself, the "real" Mile High Club membership was accomplished by having sex in a two seat, tandem, aircraft, such as the Piper J-3 "Cub" or something similar. The challenge was to fly the airplane while moving within the constraints of an impossible seating configuration and still achieving "the goal!"
Anybody can "do it" in almost any airplane when someone else is doing the flying for you. No challenge at all! (But hardly acceptable to us old purists.)
Wow that's a whole new meaning to the word aerobatic! Reminds of the time I had a flight in a PA28 out of San Carlos, California when I was a student. There was no fire extinguisher or first aid kit in the plane but I found a 12-pack of condoms in the back seat pocket. Needless to say, I didn't fly with that school again.
I joined the Mile High Club in an MS 880B rallye on OCT 07 1964
There is no requirement to perform in the "Missionary position"
However actual height has been a subject for discussion
Do you have to be a' naughtical" mile high or will a statute mile do?
Cheers fil from Auzzie