water test

Grizzly 5 first flight
 

I didn't think he'd take losing the F1 championship this badly...

Now where have I seen that shape and concept before........hmmm

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/...08cb703e17.jpg

Hmmmm indeed:

Horten Ho 229 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My point is not that it was german, but rather the date. :)
Nice picture, by the way.

Interview with RAF pilots that flew the A400M
 

Video suggest they like it

TAC aspects of the FMS still a little "immature" then...? :E

Good stuff though - good to see it progressing and the delivery date dragging slowly closer. :ok:

Still not as capable as the C-17.

"Not as good" in what respect?

Are you trying to compare apples and oranges?

Unless you want to land somewhere other than an airbase...

Ed Horne still looks about twelve years old.

206 (R) SQUADRON
 

I noticed that Flt Lt Whitnall, the evaluator pilot, belongs to 206 Squadron. What is their relationship, or lineage, to the well-known "F Troop," erstwhile of Ice Station Kilo?

I think we should be told!

By the way, it's great to see three "Desk Officers" putting their pens aside and getting airborne for a change. What's a Rate 1 at Toulouse these days?

3º / sec?



.

it seems to me the RAF folks just had a real good ride on a real cool machine, are still in a rush and then suddenly have to look professional & say serious things.

Good video interview with Ed Strongman on RAeS site here.

VIDEO: Interview Ed Strongman - Chief Test Pilot Military, Airbus | Aerospace | The Royal Aeronautical Society

One more flight (icing?) to go before EASA Type Certification of the beast...!

Wonder if it will be at RIAT this year?

206(R) Sqn
 

N Rex:

This extract answers the question re: 206 Sqn

On 1 April 2009, the Heavy Aircraft Test & Evaluation Squadron at Boscombe Down (Air Warfare Centre) gained the 206 Squadron numberplate, as 206 (Reserve) Squadron. Currently split between RAF Boscombe Down and RAF Brize Norton 'B Flt' C130 specialists moved from RAF Lyneham in June 2011 to their new home at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to continue the Hercules Test and Evaluation process.

Green Flash - Read the blog
 

" watch out for it at Farnborough and RIAT this year"

The chief test pilot gave a good interview, nice to see the aircraft is on track. :ok:

Unless you want to land other than at an airbase
 

willDAQ, this looks pretty much like an undeveloped airfield to me.

Oh bless, Ed and Stevie are all grown up!

Shame we didn't see footage from inside the flight deck during their ride.

Is the RAF still planning on replacing the whole Herc fleet with A400? Its a big aircraft, will it be too big for some strips? There is some tight ground maneuvering required for the J on some Afghan strips, how will the A400 cope?

edit: just watched the C17 video. Takes a bit of stopping doesnt it!