Originally Posted by
Maxibon
The Westcott corridor?
If you think a spiral climb in the overhead to FL230 is a better use of time for a tanker out of Brize than zig-zagging through the Lichfield, yes
It was always good fun getting up there straight from takeoff at Marham in a heavy Tornado, especially on the southwesterly runway with the big fuel tanks. Just about do-able with a reheat climb and a headwind. ATC: “Do you need a turn to be at FL240 by the corridor?”... every time
Not so much fun trying to herd a stream 4-ship up there on a cloudy STANEVAL check with the junior pilot clowning around at #2, only one radar working in the back 3 and ATC insisting on standard formation before entering the corridor. The good old days! I should imagine a total non-event in F35 with all that power and situational awareness.