I too did 5 days at Farnborough airshow as part of the BAe Hawk sales team. The same patter day after day but a brilliant experience. I collected masses of business cards, got them mixed up with my own so unfortunately introduced myself to one dignitary as the Chief of the Hungarian Airforce. A young grad was on duty at the BAe stand during lunch when a high powered MoD type walked in, asking about Typhoon's canards. 'They're ducks, aren't they? came the reply. Happy days.
A fascinating insight into the man and the machines he flew. I had little idea of the engineering (in all its diversity) knowledge that a test pilot needs to draw on having previously believed that the test pilot (with his flying experience) flew only to the engineers demand. Seeing how they are all intrinsically linked as part of the whole is quite revelatory.
A quite interesting interview with a very laid back distinguished aviator. I found his candid humility about a couple of of his "switchology" miscues quite disarming. That's the mark of a charismatic leader, a guy who can publicly admit his own errors in a culture that works overtime to portray itself as perfect and invincible. A bunch of pilots in a fighter squadron will follow a guy like him to Hell and back! It's a terrible shame that His Majesty's Royal Flying Corps has lost his service. If we have a war, he's exactly the kind of man we need leading the unblooded youngsters into battle, not some politically correct bureaucrat. Retired US Marine and Air National Guard fighter, attack, and recce pilot here, A-4, A-6, and RF-4. Hats off to the RAF Blokes and RCAF Canucks. I've served with them and I love the way they think and fly. Their respective services are in real trouble due to inept peacetime leadership and incompetent governments. We've got big similar problems in the States too. God help us all when the smelly stuff hits the fan.
Loved this interview but what a cliff hanger "premature end" to his flying career or just the Typhoon test pilot career? Sorry if everyone else knows this but I am really intrigued now.
His second ejection resulted in a back injury which means he can no longer fly ejection seat aircraft. He’s a good guy and it was a big loss to the Typhoon flight testing team.
Still... Typhoon does not, to this day, have an AESA radar. And not close to getting one either. Also has a radar cross-section the size of a barn, What else is there to say?
Just ask the US Air Force about how the Typhoons do in the Red Flag exercises...and with latest updates etc its getting better and better. It doesn't need to be stealth for what it's meant to do.
RCS is about 40% of an F15EX and with either Meteor or in close knife-fights nothing else on the planet except the Raptor can beat it. And the Raptor has to be having a pretty good day at that, as recent Red Flags have tended to demonstrate. If AESA happens is politics, not the fault of the Plane.
Get 20% off any full price AVI-8 watches with code AIRCREW20 avi-8.com/
I too did 5 days at Farnborough airshow as part of the BAe Hawk sales team. The same patter day after day but a brilliant experience. I collected masses of business cards, got them mixed up with my own so unfortunately introduced myself to one dignitary as the Chief of the Hungarian Airforce.
A young grad was on duty at the BAe stand during lunch when a high powered MoD type walked in, asking about Typhoon's canards. 'They're ducks, aren't they? came the reply.
Happy days.
A fascinating insight into the man and the machines he flew. I had little idea of the engineering (in all its diversity) knowledge that a test pilot needs to draw on having previously believed that the test pilot (with his flying experience) flew only to the engineers demand. Seeing how they are all intrinsically linked as part of the whole is quite revelatory.
Excellent pair of episodes.
Cheers
Great stuff.
Thank you.
Cheers
20:29 "... Lightning" No hesitation.
Thanks
Thank you very much!
Fascinating 🛩️
Glad you enjoyed it.
A quite interesting interview with a very laid back distinguished aviator. I found his candid humility about a couple of of his "switchology" miscues quite disarming. That's the mark of a charismatic leader, a guy who can publicly admit his own errors in a culture that works overtime to portray itself as perfect and invincible. A bunch of pilots in a fighter squadron will follow a guy like him to Hell and back! It's a terrible shame that His Majesty's Royal Flying Corps has lost his service. If we have a war, he's exactly the kind of man we need leading the unblooded youngsters into battle, not some politically correct bureaucrat.
Retired US Marine and Air National Guard fighter, attack, and recce pilot here, A-4, A-6, and RF-4. Hats off to the RAF Blokes and RCAF Canucks. I've served with them and I love the way they think and fly. Their respective services are in real trouble due to inept peacetime leadership and incompetent governments. We've got big similar problems in the States too. God help us all when the smelly stuff hits the fan.
Loved this interview but what a cliff hanger "premature end" to his flying career or just the Typhoon test pilot career? Sorry if everyone else knows this but I am really intrigued now.
His second ejection resulted in a back injury which means he can no longer fly ejection seat aircraft. He’s a good guy and it was a big loss to the Typhoon flight testing team.
@@andrewwhittle483 thank you for the update
Still... Typhoon does not, to this day, have an AESA radar. And not close to getting one either. Also has a radar cross-section the size of a barn, What else is there to say?
That you are a troll that likes to talk smack about things on the internet, perhaps?
@@OldskoolCatflap What did I write that was incorrect, exactly? You look like the troll right now, I'd say.
Just ask the US Air Force about how the Typhoons do in the Red Flag exercises...and with latest updates etc its getting better and better. It doesn't need to be stealth for what it's meant to do.
@@hendongooner7383 Yes. it does. The war in Ukraine proved that beyond ANY doubt. Ah, but it's great at airshows, so there you go...
RCS is about 40% of an F15EX and with either Meteor or in close knife-fights nothing else on the planet except the Raptor can beat it. And the Raptor has to be having a pretty good day at that, as recent Red Flags have tended to demonstrate. If AESA happens is politics, not the fault of the Plane.
Slightly condescending towards tank commanders. Test pilot or not.
Jet age is a nice smaller museum.
Yeah it’s a great museum.