What Is The MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum. Agile air defence fighter developed to counter light Western jets with helmet-mounted weapon targeting.
Russia
Origin
Multirole
Role
Mach 2.25
Top speed
18,000 m
Service ceiling
MiG-29 Fulcrum Specifications
The Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum is a 4th-generation air defence fighter engineered for high manoeuvrability and short-field operations. Featuring dual Klimov RD-33 turbofans pushing Mach 2.25, it utilises helmet-mounted sight targeting alongside off-boresight Archer air-to-air missiles.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 2.25 (1,490 mph)
Service ceiling
59,100 ft (18,000 m)
Combat radius
380 nmi (700 km)
Rate of climb
65,000 ft/min (330 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
1
Length
56 ft 10 in (17.32 m)
Wingspan
37 ft 3 in (11.36 m)
Empty weight
24,250 lbs (11,000 kg)
Engine
2x Klimov RD-33 afterburning turbofans
Service
First flight
6 October 1977
Unit cost
$22 million
Operators
Russia, India, Ukraine, Poland, Algeria, North Korea
What Weapons Does The MiG-29 Fulcrum Carry?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum is armed with an internal 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon and six wing pylons carrying 8,800 lbs of weapons, including helmet-targeted short-range R-73 Archer and medium-range R-27/R-77 air-to-air missiles.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
GSh-30-1
Category
30 mm Autocannon
Loadout
1 internal cannon (150 rounds)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
R-73 (AA-11 Archer)
Category
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 6 missiles
Range
30 km (18.6 miles)
R-27 (AA-10 Alamo)
Category
Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 6 missiles
Range
80 km (50 miles)
R-77 (AA-12 Adder)
Category
Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 6 missiles
Range
110 km (68 miles)
S-8 Rocket Pod
Category
80 mm Unguided Rockets
Loadout
Up to 4 pods
Range
4 km (2.5 miles)
FAB-500
Category
General-Purpose Bomb
Loadout
Up to 4 bombs
Range
Gravity released
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-29 reaches Mach 2.25, roughly 1,490 mph, at altitude and around Mach 1.2 at sea level. Its thrust-to-weight ratio exceeds one when lightly loaded, giving it the ability to accelerate vertically. The aircraft became famous in the West for tail-slide and cobra manoeuvres demonstrated at air shows from 1988, displays that revealed handling qualities no NATO fighter of the period could match at low speed.
How Was The MiG-29 Fulcrum Developed?
The MiG-29 came from the Soviet PFI requirement of the early 1970s, a response to the American F-X programme that produced the F-15. The requirement was split between Sukhoi, which took the heavy long-range half and built the Su-27, and Mikoyan, which took the lighter tactical half. The first prototype flew on 6 October 1977 and the type entered service in July 1982.
Has The MiG-29 Fulcrum Seen Combat?
MiG-29s have fought in the Gulf War, the Eritrean-Ethiopian war, Kosovo, Syria and extensively in Ukraine, where they remain in Ukrainian service. Its record against Western-supported forces was poor, though analysts generally attribute this to pilot training, ground control and lack of supporting aircraft rather than the airframe itself.
Who Operates The MiG-29 Fulcrum?
More than twenty-five air forces have flown the MiG-29, including Russia, India, Poland, Belarus, Algeria and Malaysia. Civilian passenger flights in the two-seat MiG-29UB operated from Russia for many years, and it remains the only supersonic aircraft ever offered to fee-paying passengers, though Jetify flights are currently unavailable.
MiG-29 Fulcrum FAQs
Common questions about the MiG-29 Fulcrum, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the MiG-29 Fulcrum with Jetify?
You cannot currently book a MiG-29 Fulcrum flight with Jetify. MiG-29 flights from Nizhny Novgorod in Russia are listed but not bookable, and civilian passenger flights in the two-seat MiG-29 have operated historically from Russia. The 7 aircraft types you can book include the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot.
Can I take the controls of the MiG-29 Fulcrum?
Not at present, because MiG-29 Fulcrum flights are not currently bookable through Jetify. On the civilian MiG-29 flights that operated historically from Russia, limited handling was permitted in level flight. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most let you take the controls in level flight and gentle turns.
How much does a flight in the MiG-29 Fulcrum cost?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum is not currently bookable through Jetify, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum is not currently bookable through Jetify, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum is not currently bookable through Jetify, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum is not currently bookable through Jetify, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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