Craig Penrice - Tarnish 6 - is tonight recovering in hospital after sustaining spinal injuries whilst ejecting from a Hunter following a weekend of air displays at Port Rush.

Craig is likely to be transfered to Nottingham, possibly tonight, for specialist treatment.

Craig survived serious injuries after ejecting from a Lightning several yeras ago, and recovered to go on and become the Eurofighter project pilot at Warton. His temporary loss to the Typhoon programme comes at a critical time as the RAF's first Eurofighter pilots prepare to take delivery of their first aircraft

My best wishes go to Craig for a full and speedy recovery.

It would seem that Craig deliberately pointed the Hunter into the peat bog 7 miles north of Aberystwyth after a (Major) problem. He ejected (God bless the Martin Baker 3H) and was tranfered to Bronglais General Hospital, Aberystwyth by a Seaking from RAF Valley. He has back injuries, but is concious (sp?). He will be flown out to Nottinham this eve for "specialist treatment". Mend quickly Craig.


Aberystwyth seems to be a magnet for Hunter crashes as this is the 4th that I can remember within the time I've lived here. (along with JP's, Buccs, Phantoms and Tornados)

Hope he gets well soon....I'm amazed BAe lawyers let him fly outside work though

Best wishes Craig.

Get well soon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/2954538.stm

This will undoubtedly get the BAe Flat Earth Society into a Great Tizz. A few years ago, after John Davis was killed in the Hunter crash at Dunsfold, the senior management tried to impose a "thou shalt not fly other than for BAe" edict, and I imagine they'll have a resurgence now. Then, they were met with a "which part of f**k off don't you understand, what I do in my spare time is my business" response. Be interesting to see what happens this time. Get well quick Craig, don't make a habit of it.

Quite shocked to hear this, I offered to help drag the GPU over to the a/c before somebody hooked it up to a tug.

Watched the a/c depart Blackpool normally.

All the best to the family and wishing Mr Penrice a speedy recovery

I understand Craig also flies the Lightning in South Africa as a "hobby". Last time I spoke to him, I got the impression BWoS liked their pilots to fly jets out of the company time, as it kept them current when there is no flying for a while at Warton. Sounds like he'll be off flying for a little while. Get well quick.

You were right Ali Barber, not any more. About ten years ago "outside" flying was indeed seen as in the company's interest in keeping pilots more current and was informally supported, but changes in management and some very negative thinking made the company try hard to make their aircrew stop outside flying. When that failed the company tried to impose conditions on what, where and when, "leigitimising" it by rtrying to get their pilots to sign a bit of paper to that effect. That also failed - I don't know if any of them signed it - but left a nasty unspoken impasse. It's a curious management style, most guys in the "outside" flying game are there because they're really keen, highly motivated aviators, qualities that you'd expect would be really desirable in your workforce, but one senses BWoS tries hard to discourage such things....

Teadriver...seems indicative of UK aviation nowadays. There are very few enthusiasts left. Those of us that are have to keep a low profile and be discreet at the risk of losing our airline jobs.....

Glad the pilot banged out successfully. Sad to see a nice old Hunter well and truly strongbowed - interesting picture on the bbc link. Anyone know what happened?