The FAF in the RAF, and vice versa...
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The FAF in the RAF, and vice versa...
RAF-FAF Double First
It'd be interesting to read their opinions on each others respective aircraft...
-RP
It'd be interesting to read their opinions on each others respective aircraft...
-RP
I wonder if they will let M. Gerardhas read any of the manuals? 
Somebody somewhere will have filled in a veritable mountain of ITAR paperwork for this!
Somebody somewhere will have filled in a veritable mountain of ITAR paperwork for this!
I guess 'Johno' will be well placed when F-35B is binned in favour of Rafale for the navy's reconfigured STOBAR carriers....
....in about 10 years time?
....in about 10 years time?
From the article:
So was there never even an exchange of Jaguar pilots?
He said: “There have previously been exchanges when our pilots have flown other nation’s aircraft but this is the first time that British and French pilots have been allowed to fly their allies’ current generation aircraft.
He said: “There have previously been exchanges when our pilots have flown other nation’s aircraft but this is the first time that British and French pilots have been allowed to fly their allies’ current generation aircraft.
The assertion in the article is about anglo-french single-seater exchanges. I think there have been several pilot exchanges on twin seat aircraft. My neighbour - ex RN - flew Super Etendard for example. The French nav did all the hard stuff for him - his words!
Last edited by Trim Stab; 7th Feb 2013 at 07:49.
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1956/7, 229 OCU Chivenor Hunters had a FAF exchange staff instructor (Alain Sims - later killed in Algeria) so presumably a Francophone Brit was serving with the FAF at the same time.
During the 60's the RN had a regular exchange posting with the French navy, with the British pilot flying (single-seat) Etendard. We had a French pilot flying in Buccs with us in 800 Squadron; a great guy who later finished up as the admiral commanding French marine aviation.
One of our guys did the exchange and then the French Test Pilot's course.
One of our guys did the exchange and then the French Test Pilot's course.
Last edited by Schiller; 7th Feb 2013 at 09:37.
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Sir,
I have the honour, of submitting my report on the French Rafale. In summary, the blighters have got it all working and it's joy to behold. Apparently their fishy brethren also land them on boats. Does what it says on the tin.
Monsieur,
I 'ave just floon ze Typhoon. Zay are conveenced zat it dropt bombes in Libya, alzough I cannot zee how. Uzzer zan zat, it was good and goes up ferry fast.
I have the honour, of submitting my report on the French Rafale. In summary, the blighters have got it all working and it's joy to behold. Apparently their fishy brethren also land them on boats. Does what it says on the tin.
Monsieur,
I 'ave just floon ze Typhoon. Zay are conveenced zat it dropt bombes in Libya, alzough I cannot zee how. Uzzer zan zat, it was good and goes up ferry fast.
The FAF evaluation and test centre at Monte de Marsan and Boscombe Down had short ‘cultural’ flight evaluation exchanges, non t.p. – weapons evaluation and tactics.
On one occasion (early 70s) the reciprocating honour was delegated to the staff at the Lightning OCU; thus one week in SW France for three, to include a solo Mirage 3 flight. Unfortunately weather, partying, etc, only enabled one pilot to go solo, but great fun flying my Mirage ‘dual’ solos (plus Noratlas and Magister).
The FAF had a specialist unit with a Mirage 3 and two QFIs to provide demonstration and ‘solo’ flying to support overseas sales efforts.
Regrettably the ‘non’ Boscombe oriented RAF reneged on the reciprocal solo flying, but at least the FAF had several ‘dual’ solo flights in a T5.
Debriefing one flight at low level and single engine circuit work, the comment was “why do you need two engines?”.
The Lightning OCU did support a few Lightning sales efforts, but none of the pilots AFAIR were allowed solo.
On one occasion (early 70s) the reciprocating honour was delegated to the staff at the Lightning OCU; thus one week in SW France for three, to include a solo Mirage 3 flight. Unfortunately weather, partying, etc, only enabled one pilot to go solo, but great fun flying my Mirage ‘dual’ solos (plus Noratlas and Magister).
The FAF had a specialist unit with a Mirage 3 and two QFIs to provide demonstration and ‘solo’ flying to support overseas sales efforts.
Regrettably the ‘non’ Boscombe oriented RAF reneged on the reciprocal solo flying, but at least the FAF had several ‘dual’ solo flights in a T5.
Debriefing one flight at low level and single engine circuit work, the comment was “why do you need two engines?”.
The Lightning OCU did support a few Lightning sales efforts, but none of the pilots AFAIR were allowed solo.
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
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23(F) had a regular FAF exchange officer. In my time we had Bernie Robert and Louis Eon. I have previously asked if anyone has more detail on their accidents but no luck.
We also had Colin Cruickshanks on the French TP course.
We also had Colin Cruickshanks on the French TP course.
Last edited by BOAC; 7th Feb 2013 at 20:44.
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A member of this forum http://www.pprune.org/members/222391-ali-qadoo was flying the Mirage 2000 with EC2/5 in 1990.
Seeing as he has 'gone public' on Amazon, there is no harm posting this link.
Seeing as he has 'gone public' on Amazon, there is no harm posting this link.
Last edited by ian16th; 8th Feb 2013 at 05:20.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Get the name from the broken link, then find another that works to the same bod....
Simon Leighton-Porter
p.s. Broken link doesn't work because the name was truncated missing out the last "r".
Simon Leighton-Porter
p.s. Broken link doesn't work because the name was truncated missing out the last "r".
Last edited by ORAC; 8th Feb 2013 at 08:19.