Next week - Thursday 23rd November 2006
The V/STOL Wheel of Misfortune
John Farley OBE AFC CEng
Former Chief Test Pilot, BAe Dunsfold
Of the 45 VSTOL aircraft (other than conventional helicopters) that have been built to fly over the last 45 years only three have entered service. John will cover these aircraft and the 15 different engineering solutions used by the various project teams, and offer his comments on several of the aircraft based on his 19+ year association with the Harrier.
Some might think John knows a thing or two about V/STOL -
As RAE project pilot on the P1127 prototype in 1964, he started what was to become 19 years of Harrier programme test flying, moving from the RAE to join Dunsfold from where he retired as Chief Pilot. His Harrier hours include 2 hours gliding in an AV-8B!
As most regulars in this forum will know, John is one of the UK's most distinguished and respected test pilots. He has flown over 80 types (fixed-wing and rotary) and in 1990 was the first Western test pilot to be invited by the Russians to fly the Mig-29.
Royal Aeronautical Society
No 4 Hamilton Place, London W1 
(The RAeS is at the bottom of Park Lane, next to the InterContinental Hotel - a few minutes walk from Hyde Park Corner tube station)
Lecture 18:00
(Coffee and bickies from 17:30)
FAQ:- You do not have to be a member of the Society (nor with a member) to attend the lecture.
- No registration required - you can just turn up.
- There is no admission charge.
Tudor Owen