Top gun fun: Henderson company specializes in jet joy rides

Jiefu He, 22, and Patrick Jen, 26, give each other nervous smiles as they strap on parachutes at Sky Combat Ace, 1420 Jet Stream Drive, Suite 100.

As the men climb into the cockpits of two fighter jets, certified flight instructors explain the controls and safety precautions.

With a quick thumbs up, the two speed off down the runway.

“We found the place on the Internet and thought it sounded awesome,” Jen said. “We came out from South China just to fly these planes. We’re excited for the Top Gun experience.”

Sky Combat Ace, a civilian aerial combat training center, pairs customers with flight instructors to provide sightseeing and thrill packages year-round, according to owner Richard “Tex” Coe.

Its newest package, Operation Red Flag, allows three or four customers to perform military stunt tactics while flying at an altitude of 6,000 feet.

“Operation Red Flag is the most advanced aerial combat simulation in the world that’s outside of the military,” Coe said. “It’s like an all-out air warfare.”

The business idea sparked while Coe served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force for 12 years.

“Probably the coolest thing I got to do was take people up for incentive rides in F-16 fighter jets,” Coe said. “Incentive rides are where you take nonpilots and put them in the back of an F-16 and just rock their world. They did it as rewards for some of the nonflying guys in the Air Force and influential people in the community.”

Coe said he was disappointed he couldn’t take his friends and family on the fighter jet joy rides, so he opened Sky Combat Ace in March 2010.

“This kind of flying is really unique and a lot of fun,” Coe said. “There’s not many little boys or girls who don’t think about being a fighter pilot when they see the movies.”

Customers fly in either Extra 330LC stunt planes or a vintage, open-cockpit Waco YMF-5C.

To ensure everyone’s safety, instructors perform all stunts above 2,000 feet, which is twice the Federal Aviation Administration’s requirements. They also keep a 300-foot buffer between each plane while flying.

“We’re heavily regulated by the FAA, so our pilots all have to meet strenuous training requirements,” Coe said. “They’re all certified flight instructors by the FAA, so not only are we very experienced aerobatic formation pilots, but we also teach other pilots how to do this.

“Since we’ve been in business, we haven’t had any incidents or accidents. We’re proud of that record, and we obviously intend to keep it that way.”

In order to fly, customers must weigh at least 80 pounds to operate the parachute. Coe recommends that flyers wear comfortable clothing and shoes, stay hydrated and eat a small meal before boarding the planes.

“We’ve had people as old as 82 and as young as 7,” he said. “We’ve also taken people up with disabilities as part of their wish lists. It’s always a treat.”

About 300 customers come through Sky Combat Ace’s doors monthly. The company can provide up to 32 rides each day.

Sky Combat Ace offers flights from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Packages range from $399 to $1,999 per person.

For more information, visit skycombatace.com or call 888-494-5850.

Contact Henderson View reporter Caitlyn Belcher at cbelcher@viewnews.com or 702-383-0403.