![]() ![]() You can literally point the aircraft down with the flattened prop and hang that way while quickly losing altitude but without over-speeding or overoverstressing aircraft. My body pushes forward against the five-point harness as the aircraft quickly slows down and we descend. Pulling back on the throttle and flattening the prop pitch creates the equivalent of a huge speed brake in front of the aircraft. But, with no aircraft active in the area, Bill uses the opportunity to demonstrate how quickly the T-51D can descend when required. At 3,000 feet and only a mile from the airport, I’m expecting a turn outbound to lose altitude before we enter the traffic pattern. The plane simply begs to be rolled, and it does so smoothly and effortlessly.Īfter alternating between time spent in maneuvers to evaluate the aircraft’s characteristics and simply playing around for fun, we head back to the airport. As we put the Mustang through its paces with a series of barrel rolls and wingovers, it’s easy to understand why I’ve never seen one flying straight and level for an extended period of time. The T-51D is rated at a +6g /-4g load limit capability at a gross weight of 1,850 lbs. So the rear control stick requires more force to achieve the same roll and pitch rates. ![]() However, the folks at Titan Aircraft knew from the beginning that the aircraft will be giving plenty of rides to both pilots and non-pilots in the rear seat. This is an intentional design feature that gives the primary pilot an agile feel that begs for some aerobatic play. The control stick configuration includes a force multiplier that makes the forward stick lighter on the controls than the aft stick. How’s the control feel? Well, it depends on which seat you’re sitting in. The T-51D Mustang is a remarkably stable aircraft that’s easy to fly, but it does require rudder coordination. After a couple of gentle clearing turns, I begin to feel out the aircraft with some steep turns. By the time we make our first turn, we’re already above the traffic pattern, and Bill hands the controls over to me. The aircraft quickly rotates onto the mains, and we’ve broken ground before I even had a chance to evaluate the aircraft’s handling on the runway.Īt 3,900 RPM, the Mustang is climbing at over 2,500 fpm. ![]() As he advances the throttle, the V8 engine roars, and I’m pushed back in my seat as the brakes are released. Like most taildraggers, its visibility over the nose is poor, but the combination of the sliding canopy and narrow fuselage of the T-51D makes it possible to lean out to the side to see forward. Strapped in and ready to go, we taxi out to the end of the runway. After that, it’s a simple affair to step down into the seat and buckle into the harness. A release button on the exterior allows the bubble canopy to slide back with a gentle pull on the canopy bow. ![]() Entry into the aircraft is accomplished from the front of the wing by stepping up on the tire and wing, leaving you on the wingwalk next to the cockpit. As Bill explained, these are tough planes meant to be built, flown and enjoyed by the average pilot. With Bill Koleno, Titan’s general manager, as my demo pilot, I received a full briefing on the aircraft’s flying qualities and operations. The aircraft I flew, nicknamed “Camel Smoker,” is Titan’s factory workhorse and engineering development platform. I’ve seen numerous Titan Mustangs over the years during my visits to Sun-n-Fun and AirVenture, but my first chance to actually fly one came when I visited the factory in 2017. Fortunately, he didn’t just create a one-off replica for himself he created the Titan T-51D Mustang: a three-quarter scale experimental amateur-built kit that’s affordable, easy to fly and packs way more than three-quarters of the fun into this remarkable reproduction aircraft. When the financial realities of owning a Mustang remained elusively out of reach, John took it upon himself to build a replica. Titan Aircraft CEO John Williams is one of those people who make their own dreams come true. Seeing one in person is a special treat flying one is a once-in-a-lifetime experience owning one is reserved for an elite few who serve as temporary caretakers in the long history of these amazing aircraft. Its elegant lines, aggressive stance and unique sound are so universally recognized that its presence stops even the least-aviation-oriented people in their tracks to appreciate its beauty. Few aircraft capture the imagination like the iconic North American P-51D Mustang. ![]()
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