There are plenty of ways to experience history in Palm Springs. You can walk through midcentury neighborhoods, visit iconic landmarks, and explore stories that helped shape the desert.
Or you can buckle into a historic aircraft, hear the engine roar to life and take to the skies.
At the Palm Springs Air Museum, history isn't confined to hangars and exhibits. Visitors have the rare opportunity to fly in historic aircraft that represent some of the most important eras in aviation. From an open-cockpit biplane to one of the most recognizable fighter planes of World War II—and even a classic jet—these Warbird Rides offer an experience that's difficult to replicate anywhere else.
Whether you're a lifelong aviation enthusiast or simply looking for an unforgettable Palm Springs adventure, this is history from a completely different perspective.
Choose Your Aircraft
The Palm Springs Air Museum currently offers Warbird Rides in several remarkable historic aircraft, each with its own personality, history, and flying experience.
C-47 Skytrain: Fly in a Legend of World War II
The Douglas C-47 was one of the workhorses of World War II, transporting troops and supplies around the world. It is perhaps most famously associated with D-Day, when C-47 aircraft carried and dropped thousands of Allied paratroopers into occupied France.
A ride aboard the C-47 offers a very different experience from the museum's smaller aircraft. Rather than climbing into a cockpit behind a pilot, passengers share the experience inside an aircraft designed to carry people and cargo. The museum's C-47 flights accommodate multiple passengers, making this an especially memorable experience to share.
PT-17 Stearman: Feel the Wind in Your Face
If you've ever imagined the romance of early aviation, the PT-17 Stearman may be the aircraft for you.
This classic Boeing-built biplane was used to train generations of American military pilots during World War II. Today, climbing aboard offers the kind of flying experience that is increasingly rare: an open cockpit, wide-open skies and the unmistakable sensation of being part of the aircraft rather than simply sitting inside it.
With room for one passenger and the pilot, a Stearman ride is an intimate, exhilarating way to experience the desert from above.
T-6 Texan: Train Like a Fighter Pilot
Before pilots flew into combat, many trained in aircraft like the North American T-6 Texan.
The T-6 served as an advanced trainer during World War II, preparing pilots for the high-performance aircraft they would eventually fly in combat. Today, it remains one of the most recognizable and beloved aircraft of its era.
A ride in the T-6 puts you in the world of military aviation training, with the powerful sound and performance of a classic warbird and a bird's-eye view of Palm Springs and the surrounding desert.
T-28 Trojan: Step Into the Next Generation
The North American T-28 Trojan arrived as aviation entered a new era following World War II.
Designed as a successor to the T-6, the T-28 brought greater performance to military pilot training. Its distinctive look and powerful presence make it a fascinating aircraft both on the ground and in the air.
For visitors looking for a more powerful warbird experience, the T-28 offers a chance to see—and fly in—a significant chapter of postwar aviation history.
P-51 Mustang: The Ultimate Warbird Ride
Few aircraft capture the imagination quite like the P-51 Mustang.
With its unmistakable silhouette, powerful engine and legendary World War II history, the Mustang has become one of the most celebrated fighter aircraft ever built. For many aviation enthusiasts, the chance to fly in one is a bucket-list experience.
The Palm Springs Air Museum offers visitors the opportunity to experience the thrill of a P-51 from the air—an extraordinary chance to get closer to aviation history than almost any museum exhibit can provide.
T-33 Shooting Star: Enter the Jet Age
Then there's the T-33 Shooting Star.
Developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80, the T-33 represents the arrival of the jet age and a dramatic departure from the propeller-driven aircraft that came before it.
A ride in the T-33 is the museum's ultimate aviation experience, offering the rare opportunity to fly in a historic military jet. It's a fitting choice for someone looking to turn an already memorable Palm Springs trip into a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
More Than a Ride: A Different Way to Experience Palm Springs
Of course, the view is part of the adventure, too.
From the air, Palm Springs takes on an entirely different character. The dramatic San Jacinto Mountains rise above the desert floor, neighborhoods stretch toward the horizon, and the landscape reveals the striking contrast between rugged wilderness and resort city.
But the real magic is the aircraft itself.
These aren't simulations or theme park attractions. They're historic machines that represent generations of pilots, military service, and aviation innovation. Flying in one creates a connection to history that is difficult to find anywhere else.
What to Know Before You Fly
Warbird Rides are real aviation experiences, and passengers should review the Palm Springs Air Museum's requirements before booking.
Passengers must meet the museum's physical and safety requirements, and restrictions apply to age, height and weight for certain aircraft. Passengers also need to be able to board and exit the aircraft without assistance. Closed-toe shoes are required, and flights may be canceled or rescheduled due to weather, mechanical issues, or crew availability.
Because availability, aircraft, and other details can change, it's best to review the museum's current requirements before making plans.
Ready for Takeoff?
You can spend an afternoon admiring historic aircraft at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Or you can take the experience one step further.
Climb aboard. Listen to the engine. Feel the aircraft leave the runway.
For a few unforgettable moments, you're not just looking at history.
You're flying in it.
For current aircraft availability, pricing, passenger requirements and reservations, visit the Palm Springs Air Museum's Warbird Rides page.
FAQs
Can you fly in a historic warbird in Palm Springs?
Yes. The Palm Springs Air Museum offers visitors the opportunity to experience flights in select historic aircraft, ranging from classic propeller-driven planes to a historic military jet. Available aircraft and flight experiences may change, so check the museum's Warbird Rides page for current options.
What aircraft can you fly in at the Palm Springs Air Museum?
Warbird Ride experiences may include aircraft such as the C-47 Skytrain, PT-17 Stearman, T-6 Texan, T-28 Trojan, P-51 Mustang, and T-33 Shooting Star. Each aircraft offers a different type of flying experience, from open-cockpit aviation to the thrill of flying in a historic jet.
Do you need to be an aviation expert to take a Warbird Ride?
Not at all. While aviation enthusiasts will certainly appreciate the history and significance of the aircraft, Warbird Rides are also an unforgettable experience for visitors looking for a unique adventure in Palm Springs. The experience is as much about the thrill of flight and the spectacular desert scenery as it is about aviation history.
What should I know before booking a Warbird Ride?
Passengers must meet the Palm Springs Air Museum's current safety and physical requirements, which may vary by aircraft. Closed-toe shoes are required, and weather, mechanical conditions, and crew availability can affect flights. Review the museum's current Warbird Ride information for requirements, availability and reservations before booking.
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