Grant Shapps hitches ~1,000km ride in RAAF F/A-18F

[AnotherFSO]

Posting this FWIW, as these sorts of things sometimes stir up confected controversy or outrage.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-23/british-defence-secretary-hitches-ride-to-adelaide-on-raaf-jet/103622472

"In short: The ABC can reveal that after meeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Thursday evening, Grant Shapps flew to Adelaide in the back seat of an RAAF Super Hornet.
The Department of Defence said it was "delighted" to offer the fast jet experience to one of Australia's key defence partners.
The jet was selected to "demonstrate one component of Australia's air combat capability", the Department of Defence said."

[skua]

Presumably he will add Maverick to the many names he has traded as in the past!

[Expatrick]

Is it possible for the pilot to eject the rear seater?

[SOPS]

He might try to flog the aircraft on the internet…under another made up name.

[Bob Viking]

Is it possible for the pilot to eject the rear seater?

Sadly not. But if the pilot could talk him into pulling the handle between his legs…

BV

[Traffic_Is_Er_Was]

The UK's visiting defence secretary has hitched a ride on a $100 million Royal Australian Air Force fighter jet (My bolding & underline)

Unfortunately, he couldn't reach the handle from the outside.

[601]

The ABC can reveal
Ho hum.
Next Aunty will get their "investigative jurnos" on the case to see if any fringe benefits tax is due and if Shapps reported the free travel as a gift.

[Ninthace]

Sadly not. But if the pilot could talk him into pulling the handle between his legs…

BV
But that would damage the canopy and the ac - he isn't worth it!

[chevvron]

Is it possible for the pilot to eject the rear seater?
Yes if 'command eject' is selected but the front seater would go too in that case.

[Expatrick]

Pity...

[Expatrick]

Hopefully not too far off topic (from 2021) -

"Some 120,000 spectators visited the International Air Show and Military Display in Kecskemet, central Hungary, over the weekend, the defence ministry said on Sunday evening. In addition to presentations by the air forces of Hungary and several foreign countries, the programme included surprise events including a parachute jump performed by the defence minister, the army chief and other army leaders from a helicopter."

Perhaps Mr Shapps could have a go!

[stevef]

Lots of snarky comments but I bet most of you would sell your favourite auntie for a Super Hornet backseat ride. :E

[Expatrick]

Lots of snarky comments but I bet most of you would sell your favourite auntie for a Super Hornet backseat ride. :E

Sounds a bit too much like the Shapps modus operandi!

[Video Mixdown]

Sounds a bit too much like the Shapps modus operandi!
Wishing harm on a politician because you personally disagree with his policies is disgraceful and not funny. Take your childish remarks to JB.

[Expatrick]

Wishing harm on a politician because you personally disagree with his policies is disgraceful and not funny. Take your childish remarks to JB.

Just a little fun.

Behaviour & performance, rather than policies.

[Video Mixdown]

Just a little fun.
Behaviour & performance, rather than policies.
It is not fun whatever lame excuses you make. The man was there for talks with an important friend and ally of the UK.

[Ninthace]

Lots of snarky comments but I bet most of you would sell your favourite auntie for a Super Hornet backseat ride. :E
I don't have a favourite auntie, would you settle for one of my children?

[Herod]

I assume it cost the British taxpayer nothing. win-win

[Ninthace]

Then you will apply the sense of humour failure to those criticising Frank Hester then Chips?
Training flight Herod.
If it was a Training Flight, who was teaching whom, what?

[bugged on the right]

Pilot carrying out navex. Teaching himself. Versatile eh? Never took a jet away for a weekends golf?

[Ninthace]

Pilot carrying out navex. Teaching himself. Versatile eh? Never took a jet away for a weekends golf?
We would call that a practice flight or even just a flight. Couldn't fit the clubs in.

[GreenXCode]

IIRC we called them ‘Rangers’ to keep civil ATC aware of mil ac during the Cold War as our prime purpose was to test access, basing and overflight. Two stories make me 😂. Libya 2011, Tripoli does not have your flight plan to which the Tornado leader replied, ‘the reason for that will become obvious soon.’ Italy early to mid 80s where a Jag pilot sends a ‘Thank You’ post card to Auntie Liz c/o Buck Pal for the privilege of testing ABO during a splendid w/e to Nothern Italy; sadly, the HQ 1 Gp staff officers were less impressed…

[BEagle]

The Luftwaffe had rather more reasonable attitudes to such flights back in the '90s. There was an RAF exchange officer who was sorting out his civil commercial licences and needed to do the UK FRTOL exam. So he came over to Brize with his WSO, airways for most of the way, then came over to the Flying Club to sit the exam! Passed with 100%, then back to Germany! He told me that a couple of other squadron crews had asked to go to Norway, much to the surprise of their Boss. "Ah - there's a great seafood restaurant we've found..." "Really? OK, I'll come too!" was his reply.

A Luftwaffe F-4 was a common visitor to RAF Wattisham in the early '80s. The crew always greeted the customs officer cordially, declaring a bottle and 200 each. Then they stood around until he'd gone, before unscrewing the access panel on a modified centreline tank, out of which came all manner of things - which were transferred to a minivan from TTTE Cottesmore. Including on one occasion a complete Mercedes Benz exhaust system to replace one wrecked by Rutland's roads!

[wub]

7 Squadron at St Mawgan in the 1970s was equipped with Canberra TT18s tasked with target towing. They frequently gave passenger rides and often flew fish runs to Machrihanish. They had leather shoulder bags for purchase of the type common in Cyprus, embossed with a Gold Canberra and the motif ‘Sevenair’. They offered to fly a WRAF home one weekend and were astonished when she turned up in ops wearing a maxi skirt and knee-length boots.

[Davef68]

Politician gets a joy ride, nothing to write home about. Taking the piss out of said politico (especially a grifter like Shapps) is equally OK.

I wonder if he asked for some stick time and put it in his logbook?

[Turkeyslapper]

Maybe he’s checking out the Hornet for future cats n traps requirements 😎