Can civilians ride in the US Airforce jet fighter plans?
I think this is a frequently misunderstood issue. It costs a lot of money to fly a single mission in an F-16, and they do not just go up and fly around. Also, if and when visitors are allowed to go, they have to get briefings on the use of oxygen, parachutes, ejection seats, etc. so they don’t fill the cockpit with a parachute when they are reaching for their barf bag. This training is also expensive, although it is shortened to the point of minimal safety. On the rare occasions when reporters and celebrities are invited along, the substantial funding for those additional flights and briefings comes out of the public relations budget for the Air Force. It is certainly not part of the normal operational plans for the squadron.
