Originally Posted by
sandiego89
Thank you for the reply Mog. I know your SHAR course before you headed south was abbreviated, but would a typical squadron Harrier or Sea Harrier pilot practice many VTO's in training or field exercises? It seemed more common for demonstrations (especially early in the program with the parking lot and coal yard type events) and airshow type events, with STOVL much more common for operations. Non-event at the proper weight/desnsity?
Yes, all other things being equal, at the end of a sortie you would do some VSTOL for practice. Usually a VL, VTO or maybe a ramp launch to immediate hover and VL. Heavyweight VTOs were avoided unless operationally required because of the high number of engine counts incurred (JPT x time). All pilots were fully current in VTOs.
Mog