Fast jet experience of a lifetime
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How the HELL did you manage all that, Tim?!
Whilst I don't have a testicle to offer, I WOULD probably sell my first born to get a ride in one.
And I thought Rick's story was hilarious
Whilst I don't have a testicle to offer, I WOULD probably sell my first born to get a ride in one.
And I thought Rick's story was hilarious
http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/P...Pages/2005.htm
Oct 14th. Hope Sgt Iain Logan enjoyed his short flight in the F3. Well he got a free tie.
Oct 14th. Hope Sgt Iain Logan enjoyed his short flight in the F3. Well he got a free tie.
Red On, Green On
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Oct 14th. Hope Sgt Iain Logan enjoyed his short flight in the F3. Well he got a free tie
Prior to joining he was on an acquaint trip on a Wasp-equipped frigate, so the flight cdr, knowing he wanted FAA, took him for a jolly. Over-cooked a torque turn and Dougie was in the drink. Did his drills, got into his dinghy and was rapidly picked up. He used to get some odd looks wearing the tie before he'd even finished RW BFT.
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Trying out Martin Baker's equipment is one thing I haven't had to do, although in some respects I guess it would be an interesting experience. I just get this horrifying mental image of somebody shouting "eject, eject" and me saying "what? are you sure?"...
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I took many passengers flying in my time in the RAF, mostly in the Tornado. I always felt it was important that the pax enjoyed the trip to the fullest. If they were pre-occupied with the thought of throwing up then they were not going to enjoy the flight, so I would try to ensure we were always in an environment where this could be avoided.
The most memorable pax flight I did was in Goose Bay. A good mate of mine and I took a couple of the groundcrew flying in the training areas. Great fun going very fast and low! Needless to say, the 1:00 spent rushing around in tactical formation was thoroughly enjoyed by our passengers.
The most memorable pax flight I did was in Goose Bay. A good mate of mine and I took a couple of the groundcrew flying in the training areas. Great fun going very fast and low! Needless to say, the 1:00 spent rushing around in tactical formation was thoroughly enjoyed by our passengers.
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I know what you mean about not wanting to horrify your passengers but on the other hand it always seems like a bit of a waste to take a seat in a fast jet and not get a taste of how the aircraft really performs.
I have to say that despite being treated to some very "interesting" flights with RAF squadrons, one of the most memorable flights was courtesy of the FAA, and 899 NAS's Charlie Cantan, a former Falklands pilot. After having been impressed by the Harrier's take-off performance (easy to forget what a relatively light aircraft with a big engine is like), I thought we were destined for a relatively uneventful flight, following some Sea Harriers taking-on fuel from a VC10. But after annoucning we were leaving the formation and heading down, the hard roll and vertical descent to low level was enough to convince me that he wasn't going to make this a gentle stroll!
The low level run through Devon and was fantastic, pulling tight up hillsides, rolling inverted and pulling down the other side, looking up through the canopy at startled hill walkers and assorted sheep! Even then the T4N was getting on in years but it was great to see just how sprightly the old machine was. Just as impressive was returning to Yeovilton and coming to a stop over the runway, just sitting there on a smelly column of very turbulent air. I'm eternally grateful to Charlie for showing me what fast jet flying is really like, and not just making it a "joyride" even though it most certainly was!
I have to say that despite being treated to some very "interesting" flights with RAF squadrons, one of the most memorable flights was courtesy of the FAA, and 899 NAS's Charlie Cantan, a former Falklands pilot. After having been impressed by the Harrier's take-off performance (easy to forget what a relatively light aircraft with a big engine is like), I thought we were destined for a relatively uneventful flight, following some Sea Harriers taking-on fuel from a VC10. But after annoucning we were leaving the formation and heading down, the hard roll and vertical descent to low level was enough to convince me that he wasn't going to make this a gentle stroll!
The low level run through Devon and was fantastic, pulling tight up hillsides, rolling inverted and pulling down the other side, looking up through the canopy at startled hill walkers and assorted sheep! Even then the T4N was getting on in years but it was great to see just how sprightly the old machine was. Just as impressive was returning to Yeovilton and coming to a stop over the runway, just sitting there on a smelly column of very turbulent air. I'm eternally grateful to Charlie for showing me what fast jet flying is really like, and not just making it a "joyride" even though it most certainly was!
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During my one FJ trip, my Nav friend who organised the trip, and my pilot made sure to brief me on all of the benefits of joining the Martin Baker Club.
Not just the award of the 'I ejected and all I got was this lousy tie' tie but also the 'I ejected over water and got into my life raft' tie, and furthermore the 'whilst in my life raft I managed to use my Martin Baker emergency fishing rod' tie.
I'm still not sure I believed them on the second two.
Not just the award of the 'I ejected and all I got was this lousy tie' tie but also the 'I ejected over water and got into my life raft' tie, and furthermore the 'whilst in my life raft I managed to use my Martin Baker emergency fishing rod' tie.
I'm still not sure I believed them on the second two.
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Trying out Martin Baker's equipment is one thing I haven't had to do
Woosh was right, all my drivers seemed to want me to stay healthy, although working flights had to be completed, and some of the pilots didn't like sand bags because of the possible consequences. Tim, your statement that it's a waste of a flight if you don't get the full monty isn't 100% true. All my pax trips (a mere fraction of yours), have been memorable for different reasons. The Buccaneer crossed Liverpool bay at 50 feet (also my first jet), the Hunter flew formation with two Canberras and a Lightning, and I flew most of the Strikemaster sortie myself, as well as being shown aeros and bouncing Hawks from Valley by the ace Hartley. Low level through the Cheviots then SS over the North Sea in the ADV. 30 mins of aeros in the PC9 and the G suit didn't stop me from greying out. Tailchasing in the Hawk and trying to topple the IN in the Harrier were more what Tim meant.
I also admit that during the safety briefs it sounded like banging out would be an experience, but thank whoever I never had to.
I also admit that during the safety briefs it sounded like banging out would be an experience, but thank whoever I never had to.
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And I thought Rick's story was hilarious
Stories like that keep the public in awe and promotes the myth of pilots as supermen (but with their underpants inside their tights)
...but for those of us who know the truth - that the typical FJ "Top Gun" pilot is a five foot eight inch, eighty kilo, pot bellied, Sun reading average Jo - how much to keep our mouths shut and a photo of you all snoozing off your lunch in the crew room out of the Sun?
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Oh my god. The FJ jockey that I share pillow with fits that description EXACTLY!!! (cept maybe the pot belly bit... his protrusion might be a tad lower
)But yes, undies on the outside...
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Fair point Fishtailed, I guess that a typical Joe would greatly appreciate just a lazy wander round the airfield circuit in a combat aircraft, but I'm sure you know what I mean. Certainly it would be pointless to make the experience unpleasant but it's a golden opportunity to find out what an aircraft can actually do.
This reminds me of a couple of days I spent at Scampton back in April when I was treated to four display rehearsals with the Red Arrows. On the way back from the runway after one display I was babbling to the pilot and discussing how so many people would kill to get a ride with them. As I said at the time, they're almost victims of their own professionalism as the display looks so crisp and smooth from the ground, and completely effortless. It's a great shame that everyone isn't able to see and feel things from inside the formation because it really would give a completely different perspective and earn the team even more respect and admiration. I was gobsmacked at how they could spend twenty minutes thundering round in foul weather at low level, bouncing up and down, pulling lots of g, doing a lot of grunting and swearing, and then calmly climb out of the Hawks and pose for some publicity shots with visitors, as if they'd been down to the local Tescos!
This reminds me of a couple of days I spent at Scampton back in April when I was treated to four display rehearsals with the Red Arrows. On the way back from the runway after one display I was babbling to the pilot and discussing how so many people would kill to get a ride with them. As I said at the time, they're almost victims of their own professionalism as the display looks so crisp and smooth from the ground, and completely effortless. It's a great shame that everyone isn't able to see and feel things from inside the formation because it really would give a completely different perspective and earn the team even more respect and admiration. I was gobsmacked at how they could spend twenty minutes thundering round in foul weather at low level, bouncing up and down, pulling lots of g, doing a lot of grunting and swearing, and then calmly climb out of the Hawks and pose for some publicity shots with visitors, as if they'd been down to the local Tescos!
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Tim,
And here was me thinking that getting 5 FJ trips before I left was some going - well I suppose it was for a male air trafficker Thing is, the WRAF ladies (yes, those with the upside down legs) always seemed to have an advantage on me, but they never seemed to make that count What's your secret?
Blacksheep,
You forgot 'balding' in your very accurate description.
Kiwi Chick,
Rude girl. Early to bed and no milk for you!
And here was me thinking that getting 5 FJ trips before I left was some going - well I suppose it was for a male air trafficker
Thing is, the WRAF ladies (yes, those with the upside down legs) always seemed to have an advantage on me, but they never seemed to make that count What's your secret?Blacksheep,
You forgot 'balding' in your very accurate description.
Kiwi Chick,
Rude girl. Early to bed and no milk for you!
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To anyone who would like to experience a trip in a FJ, whilst hard to achieve it is not impossible.
I can think of numerous instances whereby, shall we say 'one good turn deserves another'.
If you have something to offer in return for an FJ trip, your opportunities increase exponentially.
This could for example be a special relationship between your airline company and a squadron. ( 19 Sqn and Virgin Atlantic springs to mind) Alternatively, you might have another good deal to offer - I took some long curly haired types flying in a Tonka and had a fun day with a multitude of shooters to say thank you!
Now you might not be an airline pilot or a blade but use your imagination - for example - seeing some of the photos TEEJ has produced, i am surprised that he hasn't tried to get a trip in return for some high quality photos of the sqn jet!!
Get my drift?????
I can think of numerous instances whereby, shall we say 'one good turn deserves another'.
If you have something to offer in return for an FJ trip, your opportunities increase exponentially.
This could for example be a special relationship between your airline company and a squadron. ( 19 Sqn and Virgin Atlantic springs to mind) Alternatively, you might have another good deal to offer - I took some long curly haired types flying in a Tonka and had a fun day with a multitude of shooters to say thank you!
Now you might not be an airline pilot or a blade but use your imagination - for example - seeing some of the photos TEEJ has produced, i am surprised that he hasn't tried to get a trip in return for some high quality photos of the sqn jet!!
Get my drift?????
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Fast Jet rides
I was a photographer for BAe for 14 years - did a lot of flying, all in light aircraft such as PA-44.
I became pretty bullet-proof to manoevres in that - which may sound slight, but in fact that aircraft made a lot of people sick & we did a lot of spirited manouvering...
After I managed, pretty much by accident, to get the then CTP H.F. A full page spread in the 'Times' ( on a positive note ) I was shortly afterwards given a ride in G-Hawk - in formation with another Hawk for filming work, for once I was in the subject aircraft.
Chris Roberts, driving, did a lot of spectacular moves including dive attacks inverted at 1,500' then rolling out & a 4+ G pull, various other things around 4+ G.
Chris commented afterwards that he wouldn't normally take up a newbie on a sortie like that.
I was struck by 2 things - the Hawk cockpit which had always seemed roomy when I photographed it, was decididly cramped when sitting with all the flight suit on ! I was then a slim 5'9" 10.5 stone...
I also felt sick - wasn't actually, but close - I think part of this was the lack of situational awareness, and not really knowing what was going on - in light aircraft I always have the feeling I can land the thing if anything happens to the pilot ( years later this DID happen when a pilot - certainly not BAe - conked out on me ) -
I reckon to really enjoy fast jet flying, one has to build up a tolerance - so suspect people paying mega-bucks to ride a Mig-25 will mainly come away with a sick-bag as their trophy !
That reminds me, a Kingston photographer went to 'use' a sick bag to find out the hard way some joker had cut out the bottom...
I became pretty bullet-proof to manoevres in that - which may sound slight, but in fact that aircraft made a lot of people sick & we did a lot of spirited manouvering...
After I managed, pretty much by accident, to get the then CTP H.F. A full page spread in the 'Times' ( on a positive note ) I was shortly afterwards given a ride in G-Hawk - in formation with another Hawk for filming work, for once I was in the subject aircraft.
Chris Roberts, driving, did a lot of spectacular moves including dive attacks inverted at 1,500' then rolling out & a 4+ G pull, various other things around 4+ G.
Chris commented afterwards that he wouldn't normally take up a newbie on a sortie like that.
I was struck by 2 things - the Hawk cockpit which had always seemed roomy when I photographed it, was decididly cramped when sitting with all the flight suit on ! I was then a slim 5'9" 10.5 stone...
I also felt sick - wasn't actually, but close - I think part of this was the lack of situational awareness, and not really knowing what was going on - in light aircraft I always have the feeling I can land the thing if anything happens to the pilot ( years later this DID happen when a pilot - certainly not BAe - conked out on me ) -
I reckon to really enjoy fast jet flying, one has to build up a tolerance - so suspect people paying mega-bucks to ride a Mig-25 will mainly come away with a sick-bag as their trophy !
That reminds me, a Kingston photographer went to 'use' a sick bag to find out the hard way some joker had cut out the bottom...
Last edited by Double Zero; 10th Nov 2007 at 11:54.
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Sadly, those of us weighing under 60kg don't even get the chance to get the chance to try them out...
FJ rides - you don't ask you don't get and yes a lumpy jumper does help.
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Video of Blue Angels passenger - passes out 3 times.
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One particular problem the Blue Angels had (at least when I visited them years ago) was that the video recorder they used to tape the passengers, tended to fail during the flights, when the g forces became excessive. The g made the recording head slip off the tape, as was demonstrated on one of my rides. It kept going until 7g and then "zip" - goodbye picture. Dunno whether they ever solved this problem or if they've gone digi or something...
