Bungling pilot lands RAF chief in wrong place
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Bungling pilot lands RAF chief in wrong place
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Sir Simon – a former jet pilot with a geography degree – was dropped off in time to present a cup to the local Air Training Corps yesterday. He said of pitching up at the wrong ground: “It was probably my fault”.
Sir Simon – a former jet pilot with a geography degree – was dropped off in time to present a cup to the local Air Training Corps yesterday. He said of pitching up at the wrong ground: “It was probably my fault”.
Gentleman Aviator
a former jet pilot with a geography degree
...... does that make the story better or worse!!
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Does he moonlight, between jobs? 
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A quote from a Project Propeller 2010 pilot about his trip with two veterans:- "I had the Squadron Leader pilot in the RH seat flying us to the venue and the Sergeant Navigator in the back telling him where to go." 
Air Chief Marshal Sir Simon Bryant – the force’s second most senior officer who is in charge of attacks in Libya and Afghanistan – should have been at a sports ground about a mile away for a presentation... Sir Simon – a former jet pilot with a geography degree – was dropped off in time to present a cup to the local Air Training Corps yesterday. He said of pitching up at the wrong ground: “It was probably my fault”.
At least he's no longer designating ground targets (he isn't, is he?).
Anyone see the Sun yesterday?
Ok, so you won't admit it...
There was an article in this pillar of accuacy moaning about the RAF. It was illustrated with a picture of a Belgian (?) A109.........
There was an article in this pillar of accuacy moaning about the RAF. It was illustrated with a picture of a Belgian (?) A109.........
Years and years ago there used to be an annual golf session between Bristow Helicopters (Aberdeen) and British Petroleum (Exploration & Production). The deal was that a golf course would be selected and they would use one of BP's sole use S61s to fly there and back with the tab for the aircraft being picked up by BP.
The day came and two of the Bristow golfers who were training captains were going to crew the aircraft. For those unfamiliar with civil descriptions a training captain is a QHI and Categorisation Trapper rolled into one. The golf course selected was one in Perth, about 45 mins down the road and off they went.
Perth was under thick fog and eight/eight stratus; something that anybody who had bothered to get the TAFs would have known about.
They returned to Aberdeen and there was frantic activity whilst they telephoned golf courses in the opposite direction to arrange a booking. They did and again they loaded up and, having assessed that the weather was fine, zoomed off to a golf course in Nairn.
They found the course, found the clubhouse and in a great fog of grass cuttings arrived in the middle of the clubs Annual Championship Day.
Wrong golf course.
The day came and two of the Bristow golfers who were training captains were going to crew the aircraft. For those unfamiliar with civil descriptions a training captain is a QHI and Categorisation Trapper rolled into one. The golf course selected was one in Perth, about 45 mins down the road and off they went.
Perth was under thick fog and eight/eight stratus; something that anybody who had bothered to get the TAFs would have known about.
They returned to Aberdeen and there was frantic activity whilst they telephoned golf courses in the opposite direction to arrange a booking. They did and again they loaded up and, having assessed that the weather was fine, zoomed off to a golf course in Nairn.
They found the course, found the clubhouse and in a great fog of grass cuttings arrived in the middle of the clubs Annual Championship Day.
Wrong golf course.
Instead of exploiting the continuous requirement for routine NAVEXs, I'm sure senior officers with overfilled diaries would be much more gainfully employed sitting in cars all day while their staffs and those on the battlefield, VIP visitors, subordinate units, those going on/returning from tours, parliamentary committee members, etc., twiddle their thumbs waiting for their return. 
A long time ago when I was on 99 Sqn (Britannias) we were tasked to support an army exercise moving troops to Luqa, Malta, about four Britannias were used for the move ISTR
Three Brits made it to Luqa sucessfully, but the third captained by 99's c/o of the day landed for some unknown reason at the nearby RN airfield at Hal Far.
It was only when the c/o asked after landing for taxi directions (on the Luqa ATC frequency), that Luqa asked for his whereabouts on the airfield as they couldn't see him!
I can't recall we ever got a satisfactory explanation of the errror.
Three Brits made it to Luqa sucessfully, but the third captained by 99's c/o of the day landed for some unknown reason at the nearby RN airfield at Hal Far.
It was only when the c/o asked after landing for taxi directions (on the Luqa ATC frequency), that Luqa asked for his whereabouts on the airfield as they couldn't see him!
I can't recall we ever got a satisfactory explanation of the errror.
... CinC's a Nav/WSO the last time I looked .....
...... does that make the story better or worse!!
...... does that make the story better or worse!!
Seeks cover awaiting the inevitable .....
Gentleman Aviator
Good grief Jenkins - a geography degree - I'm impressed.
One has known of people try to land on the DTG and not the grid ref. And there were a couple of Training Areas in Germany that were EXACTLY 100 kms apart, so if the pongoes forgot the prefix letters........
And furthermore Jenkins, you must remember Delta and Zulu timing c*ck*ups - so much more satisfying than Alpha and Zulu - to arrive at breakfast when expected for lunch!
One has known of people try to land on the DTG and not the grid ref. And there were a couple of Training Areas in Germany that were EXACTLY 100 kms apart, so if the pongoes forgot the prefix letters........
And furthermore Jenkins, you must remember Delta and Zulu timing c*ck*ups - so much more satisfying than Alpha and Zulu - to arrive at breakfast when expected for lunch!