Air Combat USA - Long Beach, California

Mario D.

I booked a flight for my son as a birthday gift with Mike from Air Combat this weekend. My son had the time of his life! Worth every penny to see him this excited! Mike is awesome and has tons of flight hours, experience & knowledge about planes. His planes are kept in excellent condition and not once was I worried about my son flying this plane with Mike by his side. My son can’t stop talking about this experience! Perfect gift for anyone. Great Job Mike, see you soon. We are definitely doing this again

Gary Messmer

Wow! You gotta do this!!

My wife and I went to the Lyon Air Museum and stumbled across these folks. Never thought I'd be flying a plane when I got up this morning.

Their staff are wonderful. "Rocket" explained everything so clearly it made the experience so much better. "Tiny" is a great instructor, made my first time ever flying a plane easy and so much fun.

Come fly with them soon!!

Mike Lanieri

My brother and I got to fly with Mike, callsign “Rocket”, the owner and head pilot of Air Combat USA, a few weeks ago as a surprise gift for my brother’s bachelor party. Within seconds after take off, Mike handed us control of the airplane. You continue to fly it right up until landing, and he guides you every step of the way (with a set of his own controls in case they are needed). I walked away from this experience being able to say that I controlled a military plane through multiple barrel rolls, loops, and other dogfighting maneuvers. Believe me when I say you will never forget being inverted at the top of a loop, in a plane that you’re flying, and looking down on beautiful Southern California.

Mike is the ultimate professional and a genuinely great guy. He has a passion for aviation that is clear from the moment you meet him, and he does everything possible to make sure your time in the air is your flight (not a flight where you just sit along for the ride). He explains every step and makes sure from start to finish, you are 100% comfortable. His excitement will want you to do so much in the plane, and he is always making sure you are up for each step of the flight.

I fully recommend flying with Air Combat USA for anyone from a first time flyer to a tenured pilot. Everything about your session is done with the goal of giving you a memorable experience. You are not rushed and it’s clear from the moment you meet Mike, safety is his top priority. My brother and I walked away with memories of a lifetime and cannot thank Mike enough for operating a flight program that allowed us to do something we only dreamt of.

MotoMaximus

This was definitely an exhilarating experience for me. Having never flown a plane before, it was it was a blast taking over the controls and pushing the plane to the limits. I did find out that the plane wasn't the weak link. =)

The pilots we were with were very down to earth and made the experience really fun. My coworkers did not believe that it was possible to do something like this. The videos were very helpful to convince them.

This is something I will definitely do again!

Justin Turner

It’s important to note I am a long time pilot and I can say without question Mike aka “Rocket” is a true aviator. He has a passion for flight like no other, and he made the experience first class. I was in town for my birthday, and drove up to Long Beach to fly with him. I can say to anyone regardless of experience, Mike will tailor the experience to your comfort level…Thank you for everything! It was truly AWESOME ?

Kent G

Best experience I've ever had in my life and best money EVER spent!

For people interested in Air Combat USA, I can break in down into categories: The Aircraft, The Experience, The Instructor ,The Value for Money

1. The Aircraft is absolutely beautiful when you see it in person. Way cooler in real life than in any materials I saw. It was in pristine condition, which gave me a lot of confidence in the company. The cockpit was super cool and the plane flew so balanced. This aircraft is amazing to fly.
2. The experience was incredible. It encompassed general flying to acrobatics. Depending on your comfort zone they can adapt the experience from a beautiful flight to G pushing maneuvers. I did a bit of both. Incredible views, flying just over the tops of some small clouds, to acrobatics were some of the highlights. It's really hard to put into words how phenomenal this experience was and unfortunately to really feel it and know it, you just have to do it yourself.
3. The instructor was in control, calm, and hands down the best coach I've ever had in any sport I've been involved in. I hope to fly and to learn from him many, many times in the future. I have a tremendous respect for the business he runs, the aircraft he chose, the opportunity he provides for someone like me, the way he conducts his business, and for the instructor he is. I would rather fly to CA to fly with him before choosing any other option available.
4. This one is easy. Best money I ever spent. I wish I could take back the money on nonsense I have spent on in the past and reallocate it to more flights with Air Combat USA.

Final Notes:
30-45 minutes is the perfect flight time. I'm glad I didn't go for something shorter. Pay for the video footage. He has three cameras that are perfectly set up and the video comes out so, so cool and really good quality. The video clips I have are a 10 of 10. Lastly, UNLIKE many other adventures as the days past since my flight I gain more and more appreciation that I finally signed up and did it. I have been thinking about doing this for more years than I can count and every day that passes I am happier that I finally did it and that it far exceeded my expectations. I thought this was an experience that was never going to happen for me and I'm so thankful there is a company and instructor out there giving us that opportunity.

Chris Parker

Mike is a consummate professional with an abundance of enthusiasm for what he provides you as a customer. He is as professional as he is fun, and his love for his craft will ultimately translate into an experience you will not soon forget. The time I spent in his well maintained aircraft was unforgettable and he let me take control and command maneuvers that you have only previously gasped in awe of from the ground. Do yourself a favor, and take your life by the hand and lead it to Air Combat U.S.A. You will have have an experience that makes far more lasting memories than the income you may be needlessly hesitant to part from. Pull the trigger…

Lukas Salomon

Gone twice - once for combat, once for aerobatics - and I wish Google allowed a 6th star in these rare moments. Undoubtedly one of the most rewarding moments in my life was in the cockpit of the Marchetti with Navy Super Hornet pilot "Mini", pictured below. As a Hornet enthusiast myself, he was willing to explain to me details of his experience in the Hornet, as well as employment of combat tactics in the Marchetti, and aerobatic maneuvers during the aerobatic session, as we flew above the beautiful skies and along the naturally gorgeous coast of Long Beach. Mini is not only a great pilot, but an excellent and sensible teacher, and not the least a good friend.

As I sit in my hotel room, with post-trip blues, I can still sense the Gs pushing my body into the chair, much like when you step off a ship and still feel the ground rocking from side to side. Simulators have forever changed for me, as I can now relate the simulated Gs into those I've felt numerous times by the side of Mini in the Marchetti.

Thank you so much for the fantastic service and experience to Mini, Rocket and V-dawg.