North American P-51 Mustang
Last updated: 2026-04-21
The North American P-51 Mustang was the WWII long-range fighter that escorted Allied bombers deep into Germany, powered by the Rolls-Royce Packard Merlin engine and considered the definitive Allied piston fighter. It is a workhorse of European EASA general-aviation training fleets, used at both DTO and ATO operators for hour-building and rating progression. undefined
What is the North American P-51 Mustang used for in flight training?
The P-51 Mustang is the most popular WWII warbird at European airshows, with numerous airworthy examples flown by private owners and heritage organisations. Pilots seeking a P-51 checkout must hold tailwheel and high-performance endorsements before type-specific training on the Merlin engine, supercharger management, and the aircraft's demanding crosswind landing technique. The P-51 community at European airshows is vibrant, and warbird flying programmes offer step-by-step qualification pathways for licensed pilots.