Originally Posted by
H Peacock
Well perhaps if you were under the (albeit incorrect) understanding that all aircraft had dual controls (Like many USAF do) then surely it's a reasonable question!
Agree.
And since no one has explicitly replied, not all versions of the Tornado or Phantom have rear seat controls (stick, rudders, throttles). Few Tornados, and Phantoms varied widely. At the risk of over simplification, I provide the following for education:
When aircraft are so equipped with rear seat controls the spectrum of how much experience/capability the Navigator/Weapons System Operator had in piloting the aircraft varies by service, era, and doctrine of the operators (and if the pilots let them touch anything
). In most cases a qualified WSO/Nav/back seater would indeed be able to conduct basic maneuvering, or in some cases the ability could go all the way up to full pilot qualifications. In some cases a "guest" occupant (Blue Angels publicity ride for example) the back seater would have no control instruction at all except not to touch anything.
As for particular jets and qualifications, rear (or side by side) controls vary by aircraft and service. Most USAF Phantoms had dual controls, and early USAF F-4 Phantom operations had the WSO first qualified as pilots. Most US Navy Phantoms did not have rear controls, and the WSO was not a rated/qualified pilot. F-4 rear controls varied by buyer/user/prior operator, etc.