RAF EFT
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Hong Kong
Age: 60
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Was at a civ flying school yesterday where a number of AAC pilots were catching up with their EFT....is that where we have come to ??
Wont mention which one, don't want the opposition taking out our future Apache pilots before they even have wings
Wont mention which one, don't want the opposition taking out our future Apache pilots before they even have wings
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lincs
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Found this report on another Forum:
Boscombe Down’s Grobs should be back in the air soon. (I have informed that Wyton’s started flying last week). Of the above seven aircraft two had the new props fitted and were fully ‘buttoned up’, two were having engine runs, one was having its new prop fitted and two were waiting their turn with the new props in boxes.
It wasn’t just a case of new props being needed, the rigid engine oil pipelines had the be replaced with flexible ones as well.
According to the SUAS OC each aircraft has to be test flown by Babcock’s Chief Test Pilot, followed by the UAS / AEF pilots regaining their currency on type (they haven’t flown since early January).
Boscombe Down’s Grobs should be back in the air soon. (I have informed that Wyton’s started flying last week). Of the above seven aircraft two had the new props fitted and were fully ‘buttoned up’, two were having engine runs, one was having its new prop fitted and two were waiting their turn with the new props in boxes.
It wasn’t just a case of new props being needed, the rigid engine oil pipelines had the be replaced with flexible ones as well.
According to the SUAS OC each aircraft has to be test flown by Babcock’s Chief Test Pilot, followed by the UAS / AEF pilots regaining their currency on type (they haven’t flown since early January).
I can confirm that a Grub was ground running at Boscombe last week and sounding much nicer with a metal prop 
The plastic props used to sound 'odd' whilst in the circuit overhead !
The plastic props used to sound 'odd' whilst in the circuit overhead !
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
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I'm not sure that they are all flying again but a vast chunk of them certainly are, for example EFT and MELIN is all up and running again.
Some UAS locations etc are still short. Not sure how many current pilots exist outside the core EFT / CFS system though...
Some UAS locations etc are still short. Not sure how many current pilots exist outside the core EFT / CFS system though...
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
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BEagle, those prices might be "way out of date" outside with civvy flying clubs but take a look at the prices of a SE(P) with instructor at Waddington or Halton Flying Clubs (or others) and they charge about £100 all in per instructed flying hour in a C152. Looking at Halton's website they charge £15 per CAA exam.
@greenedgejet,
We had the SF 260 over here, in Ireland, in the Irish Air Corps, for basic and advanced training.Delightful aircraft (and much sought after by visiting RAF/Army types) but very, very expensive to run (courtesy of Agusta's supply system/Dept of Defence/Dept of Finance).The Bulldog had been one of the contenders to replace the Chippie but the Marchetti won it. They were sold off for very small money, in mint condition and are mostly in the USA now.
regards
TDD (exSF260 mech)
We had the SF 260 over here, in Ireland, in the Irish Air Corps, for basic and advanced training.Delightful aircraft (and much sought after by visiting RAF/Army types) but very, very expensive to run (courtesy of Agusta's supply system/Dept of Defence/Dept of Finance).The Bulldog had been one of the contenders to replace the Chippie but the Marchetti won it. They were sold off for very small money, in mint condition and are mostly in the USA now.
regards
TDD (exSF260 mech)
