Heads Up! Fighter Pilot: The Real Top Gun
If I was on the Typhoon Force, I’d be pretty miffed at being portrayed as second-best in such a public way as tonight’s programme did in the role disposal sequence. It will form the bulk of the RAF’s combat power for decades to come and even the USAF recognises that a 4th/5th-gen mix is essential for mass. Considering both aircraft are single-seat multi-role and the huge investment in simplifying F35B STOVL, surely disposals are driven more by OCU input dates than student ability? If anything, I’d expect an older aircraft with poorer ergonomics and sensor fusion to place greater demands on the pilot.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sneaking up on the Runway and leaping out to grab it unawares
Age: 61
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It did seem a bit disappointing - almost a foregone conclusion - that Danners would not get her first choice. I wish her and her future colleagues all the best, and hope she will have a long and successful career on Typhoons.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sneaking up on the Runway and leaping out to grab it unawares
Age: 61
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As it happens the 2 best students I graduated were female and went on to be Nimrod Captains.
Tell me again, weren't you chopped?
If I was you I'd wind your fecking neck in for showing yourself to be a total pillock.
As for role disposal - could it not be argued that those with better (pure) piloting skills go to the aircraft that have less electronic flying-assistant gadgets to help them?
Have very much enjoyed the programme. I think all three students came across very well as did everyone on 617 with the F-35.
I'm sure Danners was a bit gutted to get Typhoon, but , given the choice, I'd take that over F-35 anyday. And at least she didn't have to hold.
I'm sure Danners was a bit gutted to get Typhoon, but , given the choice, I'd take that over F-35 anyday. And at least she didn't have to hold.
Clearly much of the flying sequences had nothing to do with the overlaid audio.
Also thought the perception given of the Typhoon being 'easier' than Lightning a bit off....the whole Danners will get there after she's had a bit more practice...
Quite liked some of the patches....especially the stranger things one.
I'm a little confused about passes with boards full of airmanship - especially the amount of look-out comments but then I'm in no position to comment on that now ( hey, doesn't seem to stop others though!)
Also thought the perception given of the Typhoon being 'easier' than Lightning a bit off....the whole Danners will get there after she's had a bit more practice...
Quite liked some of the patches....especially the stranger things one.
I'm a little confused about passes with boards full of airmanship - especially the amount of look-out comments but then I'm in no position to comment on that now ( hey, doesn't seem to stop others though!)
I posted on this last night but it seems to have mysteriously disappeared! Anyway, if I was on the Typhoon Force I’d be miffed at the portrayal of Lightning as something for which Valley grads are “selected”, leaving the distinct impression that Typhoon is second-best in terms of standards irrespective of students’ personal preferences. Both aircraft are single-seat multi-role, and there has been huge investment in making F35B STOVL handling a far more straightforward proposition than Harrier. There is indeed an argument that the older platform with poorer ergonomics, displays and sensor fusion actually places heavier demands on its pilots.
I’d say it was likely that the intensely political balance between RAF and RN manning of the Lightning Force plays at least a smidgen of a role in these decisions. Although you would like to think they could manage that by inputting students to Valley in the correct ratio...
I’d say it was likely that the intensely political balance between RAF and RN manning of the Lightning Force plays at least a smidgen of a role in these decisions. Although you would like to think they could manage that by inputting students to Valley in the correct ratio...
I blame all those MPs subverting democracy ...
Shirley any disappointment on Danners' part will be 'cos she's a fishead and won't be getting a rum ration any time soon. I hope she kicks the arse out of life on a Typhoon squadron.
CG
CG
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Uk
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Up until relatively recently female expectations were culturally conditioned and they still are, but to a lesser extent. In the short term positive discrimination can change that culture of expectation. You will then find more females willing to express interest knowing that they can achieve what were stereotypical male roles.
This may not be popular amongst what you see as 'ladies' but it is progress towards equality of opportunity and achievement.
This may not be popular amongst what you see as 'ladies' but it is progress towards equality of opportunity and achievement.
I think you’ll find with an absolute minimum of research that ladies can easy ascertain they can fly aircraft. That minimum of research would be an indicator of their motivation.
However, like I said the majority I encounter are simply NOT interested in the nuts and bolts stuff. I tried to get my girls interested, but they wanna be social media influencers....WTF that is.
At the risk of an heretical comment, does the fact the "Danners" finds herself on Typhoon not highlight the absurdity of persisting with the RAF v RN charade with aircraft operations? In these days of swingeing cost cuts, there must be incremental costs associated with continuing with this "distinction without a difference" and surely we should now put this to bed? Factor in the scale of the respective operations, it seems even more ridiculous. Just saying....!
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Age: 54
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
However, like I said the majority I encounter are simply NOT interested in the nuts and bolts stuff. I tried to get my girls interested, but they wanna be social media influencers....WTF that is.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it would be fair to say that a Fleet Air Arm aviator should want to be streamed to the asset which can embark for many reasons - but top of which would probably come professional interests when it comes to long term career progression. This may come in the obvious form of time at sea and Deck Landings but also in the more subtle cases of having the right environment to prepare for command exams and being reported on in a way most conducive to progress.
I think that those that campaign for an amalgamation or similar of all Fixed Wing into one service have missed the point that a career develops you for what’s next as well as what’s now. Yes of course RAF pilots can land on a boat etc but until there is a cross service acceptance that senior aviation roles (currently) in the RN - in surface combatants, on battle staffs and in HQs can all be done, and will all be done, by RAF officers without harming their own career prospects (or any other downside) then the best fit is to have aircrew of both shades of blue progressing up their respective career totem poles. We’ve got two dirty great carriers for goodness sake - finding a way of reducing fixed wing SQEP and ‘Air mindedness’ in the RN would be lunacy.
Not that we haven’t tried lunacy in the past.
As for the broader point about streaming. We now have two options. New and old. 5th Gen and something else. I’m sure no one in the Typhoon force is particularly fussed what studes at Valley think about the two. There’s always been a sense at role disposals that some options are ‘less good’...just that the choice is now severely limited!!
I think that those that campaign for an amalgamation or similar of all Fixed Wing into one service have missed the point that a career develops you for what’s next as well as what’s now. Yes of course RAF pilots can land on a boat etc but until there is a cross service acceptance that senior aviation roles (currently) in the RN - in surface combatants, on battle staffs and in HQs can all be done, and will all be done, by RAF officers without harming their own career prospects (or any other downside) then the best fit is to have aircrew of both shades of blue progressing up their respective career totem poles. We’ve got two dirty great carriers for goodness sake - finding a way of reducing fixed wing SQEP and ‘Air mindedness’ in the RN would be lunacy.
Not that we haven’t tried lunacy in the past.
As for the broader point about streaming. We now have two options. New and old. 5th Gen and something else. I’m sure no one in the Typhoon force is particularly fussed what studes at Valley think about the two. There’s always been a sense at role disposals that some options are ‘less good’...just that the choice is now severely limited!!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hotel this week, hotel next week, home whenever...
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
However, like I said the majority I encounter are simply NOT interested in the nuts and bolts stuff. I tried to get my girls interested
All in favour of equality in all areas but the problem as I see it is sometimes the need to be seen to be gender-neutral influences “hiring and firing”. Most of the women I have trained are just as good if not better than the majority of the blokes.
If I can make one final observation, most women seem to work harder/smarter than the blokes. As was said on last nights program - it’s nice to see those that may struggle with some elements but work hard to achieve their goals.
I think you’ll find with an absolute minimum of research that ladies can easy ascertain they can fly aircraft. That minimum of research would be an indicator of their motivation.
However, like I said the majority I encounter are simply NOT interested in the nuts and bolts stuff. I tried to get my girls interested, but they wanna be social media influencers....WTF that is.
If your girls have an interest in becoming social media influencers it is possibly due to the environment in which they grew up.
B. I was using some relevant experience on the ground to try and answer post #264 which asked "As long as everyone meets the same standards, I don’t really see a problem? After all, it’s not as though they are going one to one in a knife fight." So back in your box...
