Glad you are still here to let me read about it.

With regard to the F15 incident, I can remember reading the post-incident/accident report when I was still in the RAF. Memory’s probably a bit blured, but one or two things come to mind.

When the collision first happened, the guy in the back ordered ejection. The guy in the front responded that he still had control. After a brief assessment, they agreed to atempt to continue to base and attempt a landing if possible. A handling check showed the aircraft to be controlable albeit not normal providing there was sufficient speed. The approach speed was about 100 knots higher than normal (interesting thought on its own) and the rest is history.

Well, not quite. The pilot in the front cockpit was on a checkout ride, the pilot in the back was an instructor. The guy in the front cockpit also outranked the instructor. Apparently, the guy in the front got a strip torn off because he didn’t immediatly follow the instructors order to eject. He was then congradulated along with the instructor for bringing the aircraft back.

This incident was one of the initial reasons for the widely reported developments of neural networking of flight computer systems to allow an aircraft to continue flight with damage or control system failure. An F16 I believe has been used a lot for this development work.

And as to the question of why didn’t the F15 immediatly enter a non-recoverable rolling spin after the total loss of one wing became apparant following the manufacturers investigations. It would appear that the engine intake ramp generated far more lift than was realised in the initial design.

cestrian, thank you. Nobody believed me when I told them that I used to see a Spit on the gate at Sealand in the ’70’s, back when I used to check the gas supply to Sealand (subcontracted to British Gas at the time in my late teens).

‘Start ravin you are’ they suggested. I knew it wasn’t a dream, although, like all young boys and men of good upbringing, I did dream of flying a Spit…managed it years later.

Boy oh boy, am I a lucky b@$t@rd.

My hands up. And it would be in a spamcan. Just don’t know which one (oh, so spoilt for choice – a tatty PA 28, or a new-build 172, or a…). Would there be a bar????

I am sure you will not be dissapointed by the whole experience. Unfortunately, you will enter the halls of the lost souls, giving up all rational thoughts while yearning to fly again. And again.
Flying is the last addiction that has not been made illegal. Enjoy.

The last time I saw a Master Pilot was at Valley in 1979, instructing on the sim. Anybody know when the last Master Pilot left the service?

Heard a rumour that Romeo Golf was on its way to Coventry. Any confirmations?

I know that the Dove that was outside with the Prince got scrapped about a year ago. No notice, just happened. Don’t know what the future holds for the Prince. Depending on who you listen to, the Prince was flown by Douglas Bader when Shell owned it!!