Originally Posted by
50+Ray
Just to fill in one omission - the best EFT trainer I instructed on was the Firefly T67M260. I was originally taught on the Chipmunk - great fun. JP not fun. Bulldog - invisible tail brake chute and abysmal lack of nav aids/squawk. EFT for all three services was conducted on the Firefly, and I know it coped well in the desert. Tutor a real step backwards, and why the RAF purchased anything else from Grob baffles me. Anyone who saw Alan Wade winning the Wright Jubilee or showing at RIAT & Farnborough knew what the aircraft could do.
Ray
I wasn't that keen on the Firefly. It's a nice little aircraft, slow roll rate, very low wing loading, doesn't wash off energy. But so slow. Once you have any number in one base it becomes wasteful with long transit times to a work area. The visibility was good but not that many good canopy reference points for teaching attitude flying. Fuel awareness wasn't critical.