In terms of performance - absolutely, because the TP has a brand new aeroplane, and is concentrating on hitting exactly the right numbers.
In terms of of handling, only sometimes. I'm pretty sure that any current member of the Red Arrows can do more within the envelope with a Hawk than John Farley could when he was test flying it - and that's not to denegrate John who is one of the best test pilots Britain has ever produced and outside the envelope will have done stuff that would be totally alien to most current Hawk pilot.
Test Pilots are very good pilots, but handling skill is only a part of that skillset; most pilots will never be that good in the aeroplane, but some will be better.
G
Last edited by Genghis the Engineer; 5th Sep 2015 at 12:02.