COULD this be one of the best birthday presents in the world?

A flying academy in Sussex is the first British organisation to be approved to offer passenger flights in the legendary Spitfire warplane.

The Boultbee Flight Academy in Goodwood, near Chichester, has been given the green-light by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) bosses to allow non-pilots to experience the iconic aircraft in flight.

Previously only qualified pilots had the opportunity to take to the skies in the plane – but new CAA regulations mean a passenger can accompany a pilot in the academy’s two-seat Spitfire TR-9.

Matt Jones, managing director at Boultbee Flight Academy, said: “Flying one of these iconic warbirds is an exceptional experience that everyone should have the opportunity to try.

“Trust me when I say that it is the most emotional, historical and exhilarating experience available in aviation today, and we very much look forward to sharing the aircraft with everyone who comes to visit.

“Their involvement will contribute significantly to ensuring Spitfires keep flying well into the future as a living memorial to the wartime designers, pilots and engineers of World War Two.”

The Spitfire was the most famous warplane in the Second World War and was the only British fighter plane to be in continuous production throughout the conflict.

It is commonly attributed as the catalyst for the Allies’ victory in the Battle of Britain, where just 700 aircraft proved victorious against more than 2,000 German planes.

Tony Rapson, of the CAA, said he is delighted that Boultbee is offering the experience.

He said: “We hope this change will lead to similar opportunities, allowing Boultbee and others to grow their business and increase the numbers enjoying flying.”

The Boultbee academy is based at Goodwood Aerodrome – the former home of RAF Westhampnett, a Hurricane and Spitfire base during the Battle of Britain and the Second World War.

For information on flights in the Spitfire, visit boultbeeflightacademy.co.uk