The Ride of a Lifetime
There are few places in the world that can match the natural beauty of the Oregon Coast. You can drive from Brookings to Astoria and never cease to be amazed at the beauty around each corner. But if you would like to see that scenery from the next level, you can’t imagine the beauty when seeing it from a classic vintage open cockpit biplane in the air. We routinely hear “this was the coolest thing I have ever done” after an exhilarating ride–and I’m probably the only business in town that quite frequently gets hugs from new customers.
The Airplane
The legendary Stearman “Kaydet” was the primary trainer for the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II and is arguably the most famous biplane ever made. Over 9000 aircraft were produced with several thousand still flying today due to it’s ruggedness and popularity. This particular Stearman is designated a Boeing PT-13D and was produced in 1944. It is powered by a 9 cylinder Lycoming engine which produces 225 hp and is a mechanical thing of beauty. The airplane was completely rebuilt in the early 1990’s and is in very original condition.
Biplane Rides
Lighthouse Package
Duration: Approx 20 mins
Price: $250
Our most popular tour. Depart the Florence Municipal Airport and cruise out the Siuslaw River as it flows into the ocean. Hear the history of the Coast Guard Station and the historical jetties. Cruise low along the surf, wave to the hikers on Heceta Beach, and smell the surf. View the Sea Lions in the ocean and see them entering the famous Sea Lion Caves from over the ocean. Cruise past the historic Heceta Head Lighthouse and see it like the sailors of old. Have a crack at flying the airplane yourself and experience the maneuverability of the Stearman. Smell the fragrant, fresh Oregon pines as you descend into a pristine valley and soar over one of Oregon’s serene lakes. View the historic Siuslaw River and see the relics of past fishing and logging industries, Old Town Florence, and the majestic Siuslaw River Bridge. You will be entertained with interesting historical facts of the Florence area and landed safely and softly in the grass at the airport – just the way Wilbur and Orville would have liked it.
The Dunes Package
Duration: Approx 15 mins
Price: $200
Depart the Florence Municipal Airport and cruise out the Siuslaw River as it flows into the ocean. Hear the history of the Coast Guard Station and the historical jetties. Cruise low along the surf, wave to the hikers on the beach, and smell the surf. Soar over the vast Oregon Dunes Recreation Area and wave to the dune buggies below. See several of Oregon’s serene lakes. View the historic Siuslaw River and see the relics of past fishing and logging industries, Old Town Florence, and the majestic Siuslaw River Bridge. You will be entertained with interesting historical facts of the Florence area and landed safely and softly in the grass at the airport – just the way Wilbur and Orville would have liked it.
Just Flying Package
Price: $500/hour of flight time
We’ll take off from the Florence Municipal Airport and fly anywhere you want to go (within reason and all safety guidelines). We can fly south to view the Umpqua Lighthouse south of Winchester Bay if you wish, then back over the dunes and view the many lakes and streams along the Central Oregon Coast. Or we can fly North along the coast past Cape Perpetua and up to Yachats! You decide!
Flight Instruction
Learn to fly in a beautiful location, or brush up with flight review. Certified flight instructor.
Other Services
Tomeny Aero's ResumeTest Management
If you’re doing a flight test program and need any type of service—winning design, planning, facility, safety, metrics, or reporting, give us a call.
Flight Test Consulting
If you’re serious about “breaking the development cost curve” and want to hear about the lessons learned from numerous major development programs, give us a call.
Contract Flight Test
If you need an experienced commercial contract pilot support, give us a call.
F-16 Development
Extensive experience as a test pilot & airshow demonstration pilot in all models of the F-16 from Block 10 to Block 50.
C-17 Initial Development
Handpicked by senior USAF leadership to lead the C-17 Combined Test Force during it’s critical and controversial initial development through certification both as a test pilot and test director.
F-22 Initial Development
Handpicked by senior Lockheed Martin leadership to lead the F-22 Mission/Avionics test team through it’s critical initial development
Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet Initial Development & Certification
Director of Test & Evaluation and Test Pilot during the initial development and Part 23 FAA Certification of the Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet.
Eclipse Concept Jet Development & First Flight
Handpicked by the CEO of Eclipse Aviation to lead the design and development of the Eclipse Concept Jet including first flight pilot and flight demonstrations.
Calspan Bicycleworks F-16 AQM-137
Director of Flight Operations and Test Pilot of first commercial use of the F-16 supporting US Navy contracts
P-8A Initial Development and Certification
Recruited by senior Boeing Leadership to lead the P-8A Integrated Product Team at Patuxent River NAS during the initial development and certification of the P-8A
Boeing T-X
Handpicked by senior Boeing leadership as the Test & Evaluation lead on the initial design and development of Boeing’s T-X - concentrating on innovative “Breaking the Development Cost Curve” initiatives that paid off when Boeing won the USAF contract
Transcend Air Vy 400
Consultant during the initial design development and “Breaking the Development Cost Curve” philosophy
Bergey Aero
Consultant to Bergey Aero on first flight and development test approach. Test pilot for first two flights.
About
TomenyAero Inc is the result of a joint decision to leave the rat race and pursue our passion as a team – a passion for aviation.
Our Experience
After nearly 50 years of experience in flight operations, flight instruction, flight test, major test program management, and the efficient development and acquisition of new aeronautical systems, we have retired to the beautiful Oregon Coast and have started a small, selective consulting company where you can find the following:
If you want to experience the flight of a lifetime over the gorgeous Oregon Coast, give us a call.
If you want to learn to fly in a gorgeous setting, give us a call.
If you would like expert, experienced consultation on the development, test, and acquisition of a new system, give us a call.
If you need experienced, professional contract flight test support, give us a call.
The Pilot
Retired USAF Colonel Terry Tomeny has had a passion for aviation since he was a young boy. A top graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School, he has nearly 50 years of experience flying everything from hot air balloons to Reno Air Racers to supersonic fighters to bombers and huge cargo aircraft–but he definitely has a love affair with the Stearman. Credentials include being a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the top graduate of every flying school he has attended, and is the recipient of both the Liethen Tittle Award and Doolittle Award – both in the Smithsonian.
Florence Air Academy
The Florence Air Academy is an annual charitable event accomplished in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Western Lane County. 2020 will mark the event’s fourth year and it continues to be better and more popular every year.
Customer Testimonials
Elaine and I returned home Saturday and I wanted to send you an email to again pass on my thanks to you for a memorable experience. It was everything I dreamed it would be and more! I knew it was going to be fun, I just didn’t know how much fun. I don’t know if you allow all your clients the chance to take the control of the stick, but I certainly never dreamed I would be offered the chance. For me, that was the biggest thrill I could have imagined. The feel of the plane responding to my touch and the heart-pounding adrenaline rush as I nudged her into a turn was something I will never forget.
Dale G., Grants Pass, OR
We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to post your experience on our Facebook page - AeroLegends Biplane Rides. Link below.
Come Fly with Us!
Give Winette a call to schedule a ride!
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