marine air wrote:
I would like to fly warbirds for someone's collection. I have put the hard work in building the credentials. I do contract flying exclusively and would like to add work for someone next year. Any suggestions how one can gt involved ?
First off, I would get out of the mindset of doing contract work flying warbirds. With very, very few exceptions, nearly all warbird piloting is done on a voluntary basis. Unless you are a well accomplished and highly experienced warbird pilot, you won't get paid to fly them unless you are ferrying aircraft, doing first test flights, or work for a multi-billionaire such as Paul Allen. Other than that, I would start out by volunteering at your local flying warbird museum or CAF chapter. Coming in as an "outsider", one must prove themselves before gaining the trust of that organization or individual to start flying the big iron.
You will probably have to start out flying the little stuff, i.e., L-birds, Stearmans, etc., and eventually move your way up to the fighters and/or bombers, provided you have the proper training and experience. The days of just walking up to an individual or flying organization and saying, "I'm here to start flying your P-51" don't exist unless you have an extremely impressive aviation resume, like being a former Thunderbird / Blue Angels pilot, former military test pilot or Space Shuttle astronaut. Any way you slice it, you're going to have to "prove yourself" to the organization - that not only do you have the requisite skills and experience to handle such aircraft, but that you are also the person that can "fit in" with the group and has the right personality, attitude, safety mindset, airmanship, dedication, and all the other "non-flying" personal skills required.
The biggest thing I've learned from talking to my various friends in the warbird world is that nearly all people that get accepted to fly the big iron warbirds are from word-of-mouth referrals and connections through networking and making friends/associations in the industry. Unfortunately, politics, just like any business, has a prominent role in who gets selected to fly certain airplanes.
It's very difficult for an "outsider" with no previous referrals or recommendations to join a group and immediately start flying fighters or bombers. One must "pay their dues".
If there are no local flying museums or CAF chapters nearby, I would seek out the Collings Foundation. I know that they are always looking for well qualified individuals to fly their aircraft on tour. If you already have a type rating/LOA in a specific warbird they fly, that will give you a huge advantage towards getting accepted.