Hawk
 

You could try getting a Hawk trip. It's a bit nippier than the F4 or Lightning ("nippier" as in agile), but you would have to know someone who is current, at Valley or Leeming, to get you a pax ride.

And I know that this suggestion is going to be pooh-poohed by those who went through Valley on Hunters of Gnats, but neither of those machines could pull the G or stay airborne for as long. The visibility out of a Hawk is miles better than that from a Hunter as well -- especially the T-bird Hunter!

What do you reckon the chances are for a lad 3 months pre-IOT contacting Valley/Leeming with hopes for a Hawk trip/look around the station? Never flown in an RAF aircraft, only had a tour around Leuchars, and like a lot of aspiring young aviators FJ is "the dream" :E

"Dad, when I grow up I want to fly fighters"

"You'll have to make up your mind son, you can't do both"

Give it a go ...
 

The chances are low, as someone has to take on the hassle of organising it. But someone at Valley has the job of doing just that, so I should give it a go. You might perhaps omit the bit about having a date for IOT and just say that you are planning to join.

In 2008 I had the chance to fly in the Hawk again, but they were just bringing in new rules about passenger flights (medical requirement and constraints on the flight envelope etc ...) so it all became too difficult to organise with my job. But I was on the first "Abo" Hawk course (in 1977) and I have since had a refresher (1997) so I know what it feels like. But you are the sort of person for whom flight experience like that should be organised.


So, give it a go ... :)

p.s. there were only 3 of us on that course in 1977 and one of us died in a Hawk display -- at Bratislava. Take from that what you will. McD

Newt,

So that'll be JB you're going to see?

Worlds smallest WIWOL
 

1.3VSTALL - my thoughts exactly! Last I heard of JB which was itself a long time back, he was a Gp Capt and a top guy - did he go higher? pardon the pun!

The airline I used to work for used to have an arrangement with Valley so that (if we were really good boys and didn't argue about our rostas too much) we could get a trip on a Hawk. I managed to wangle a ride and it was a great day out. I'll probably get flamed for saying so - but it was remarkably easy to fly.

Precisely.

Wow!!
Some interesting reading...Hey, has anyone have flown any Russian fighter, SUs/MIGs..how about them???

I'm no way connected to this field, just being curious:)

FlareAngel, if you weren't a troll I bet you're sorry you asked :)

I've been thinking for a while that he is one. Has he been back since the opening post?

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/u...roll_spray.jpg