Any AEF staff pilots out there?
 

Just wondering if this forum is populated by any AEF staff pilots who may be able to help with some questions about the Grob tutor?

We are the backbone of the fora! What do you want to know? Send a postage stamp so we can write on the back of it ...

I'm involved with the ATC, and when I go AEF, I want to learn to fly the tutor, not just do aeros. The problem is I can only remember bits of the instruction, so I thought I might ask on here, so at least I can note down the answers and read them at my leisure and try to remember them for next time.

First question is the VR for takeoff.

thanks for responding.

In the cadets' crew room of our AEF there are posters showing the syllabus and some of the appropriate information that could be of interest, such as take-off speed, climb speed, speed for various aerobatics, circuit information etc. I'm in at work again next Wednesday and I'll download them from my computer at work and send them to you.

thanks - they don't have anything like this at my AEF

Which is your AEF, then?

Hi Grobace

Are you on 12 AEF as you are from Fife?

For mgdaviso:- there are not alot of figures that would be of use but here are some:-

VR is about 55-60kts depending on x-wind
Climb speed 80kts
VNE 185 Kts (Never exceed speed)
VNO 150 Kts (max normal operations)
AEROS 130 Kts (average)
FLAPS T/off 125 Kts
FLAPS FULL 110 Kts
MAX XWIND 25 Kts
MAX WIND 40 Kts

Before you get airborne tell the pilot what you would like to do. Most of us are more than pleased to teach/show whatever you would like. Remember it is your trip not the pilot's - he has probably done mostly aeros that day so would enjoy doing something different.

There is nothing worse than a cadet who answers "Dunno -whatever you want to do sir" to the question "what do would you like to do today"

It is a pleasure to fly an enthusiastic cadet who has thought about the trip and has an idea of what he/she would like to do.

However, if you want to do aeros and the weather is suitable you will never be turned down
:ok:

If you want to learn to fly then remember that it is the horizon that is the most important feature when learning to fly. Listen to what the pilot says and note where the nose of the a/c is in relation to the horizon. Keep the nose there and the a/c will fly at the speed selected.

And remember there is only one real AEF and that is No 12 in Scotland;)

HF

Grobace; My AEF is 7 at RAF Cranwell, and they are actually very good - just don't have those posters wholigan refers to.

HF - thanks for the figures, I had the pleasure of a flight out of 12 AEF two years ago whilst on annual camp, it was at that point I decided that I would make every flight from then on count and learn something. Problem is when you go maybe four/five times a year it is difficult to retain and recall the important stuff for next time - hence the post.

would the standard R/T call for taxy go something like this (if I remember correctly)

callsign to taxy runway for departure
eg:
four one zero alpha to taxy two seven for departure.

Its good that you're taking such an interest in it! Good luck with it all :ok:

Hi mgdaviso

A taxy call is normally your request to move from your dispersal to the holding point for the active runway. At Leuchars this would go something like:-

"Leuchars Ground this is UAA 123 taxi 2 pob 20 mins VFR to the north Alpha copied"

This is your request to taxi telling ATC that you have 2 people on board and you are going to the north under visual flight rules (ie not in cloud) for 20 mins and that you have copied the airfield details (Alpha) that are transmitted on the airfield info freq.

ATC will reply:-

"UAA 123 taxi via chequers for runway 27 Right QFE 1003"

This tells you your route to the runway 27 holding point is via chequers (through the Tornado dispersals) and that the circuit direction is right hand and the setting for your altimeter subscale is 1003 to make the altimeter read zero at the runway threshold.

Hope this is of interest!!

HF

Mr Daviso - just to mention that last time I was up at EMUAS the cadets crew room did have the standard 'everything you need to know for a Tutor circuit' poster up. Used to be on the left wall as you walk through the door!
Of course the bean counters might have stolen it for economic reasons by now..................

HF, yes it is of interest, I am trying to learn the requisite r/t procedures so I can make each sortie interesting.

I had a similar call to the one you described on start-up from cold the previous time I went.

But last sunday - the pilot just gave the call I described in my post. (I only assume he didn't do the full monty as a cadet had just got out, and I climbed in) so in effect he was still "running" in the a/c and there was no need if he had the ATIS info on his kneeboard.

We don't get kneeboard (just get issued the growbag with no plastic), so I can't make notes like callsign etc for when I do r/t, so the pilot simply has to dictate the call and I repeat - not particularly stimulating (esp. when it is a long one and I stuff up the callsign!!)

Ahhhh, 12 AEF, those were the days :)

WF.

Hi WF

Those pics brought back a few memories form the late 80s/early 90s. Still can't get the downwind checks for the Chipmunk out of my head:-

My Friend Fred Had Hairy B*lls:D

HF

mgdavsio:

If you are serious about the radios, etc... then this publication should help you nicely along the way. The best bit is that its free online. It should give you some good pointers, although I appreciate its not a mil pub, its still got some very useful info.

CAP 413

WF,
Brought back memories for me too- I was a Staff Cadet at 12AEF in the early 80's, and I know of one other that graces PPRUNE.
Weren't the Bosses stories wonderful?

Sorry to go a bit off-topic.

Thanks to everyone for their input so far - I was down at the sqn last night, and noticed said poster on wall there, so I have the circuit information now.

Thanks for the link to the R/T information - much appreciated.

Bigears,

PPRune Radar was a staff cadet on 12 AEF at the same time as myself, gave hime a lift down to Turnhouse on the back of my motorbike now and again :)

The Boss's tales of his expoits in Meteors and Javelins were indeed wonderful, it was a sad day a few years ago when I heard he'd passed away :(

To someone who at the time wanted to do nothing else other than fly in the RAF (subsequently failed the medical at Biggin though :{ ), he was an inspiration.

Hummingfrog,

I'm part of a group that's currently selling their Chipmunk, want to buy it and relive old times? :D


WF.

Someone selling a chipmunk!!! How much? Any further details....

bowly,

Check your PMs.

WF.