Bf 109 Pilot Talks About Flying the Messerschmitt

Ever wondered what it’s like to fly the legendary Messerschmitt Bf 109? Volker Bau, chief test pilot at Airbus Helicopters and one of the few pilots capable of flying the aircraft today, shares his experience.

Flying the Bf 109

With over 8,000 flight hours as a test pilot and around 200 hours in the Bf 109, Bau regularly flies the historic aircraft in Manching, Germany, and at airshows. While the aircraft remains mostly original, it has a few modern upgrades, including new fuel pipes, radios, a transponder, and intercom equipment. Notably, it still retains its original 12-cylinder engine.

On the ground, the Bf 109 can be tricky. Its narrow undercarriage—prone to collapse in the past—has been reinforced to modern standards. However, Bau explains that takeoff and landing still require precision. “If you apply too much power, the aircraft veers left off the runway. Too little power, and you can’t gain the necessary speed. It’s always a challenge.”

In the air, though, the Bf 109 comes alive as a true fighter. “It’s built for speed and combat,” Bau says. “Once airborne, the maneuverability makes flying it a lot of fun.” During airshows, Bau performs basic aerobatics, like loops and rolls, but avoids extreme maneuvers. He also praises the engine’s reliability, sharing that he’s never experienced a failure.

For Bau, flying the Bf 109 is more than a job—it’s a connection to aviation history and a thrilling challenge every time.