Found that on french website (portailLive from Bourget interview a pilot of the RAF Hawk T2.
Under moist and sweltering Tuesday morning at the Paris Airshow, it is with a big smile that Flight leutenant Luke Munton agreed to answer our questions.
Young officer originally from West Midlands, he is an instructor at the Royal Air Force aboard the Hawk T2, and his impressions about the plane he came to present, and as “commercial” advised the opportunity that this aircraft for the future choice of French air force.
-If there was one, what word would you choose to define the Hawk T2?
– “” Capable “(this is an English word, but all can understand French ed)
This is an excellent instruction extremely reliable and very modern tool. It is used for advanced training course, but also to facilitate the transition from pilot to Tornado Typhoon 2. “
-What are the main differences between the new Hawk T2, T1 and old?
-Although the Hawk T1 and T2 share a similar appearance, both aircraft have almost nothing in common, except the canopy and airbrake. These are two fundamentally different planes, and it would be a big mistake to equate the T2 to T1, with feelings still very close flight. The plane is heavier, but the engine is also more powerful. Avionics, ultra modern, designed to facilitate rapid transition of combat aircraft of the latest generation. “
Hawk-What changes will he undergo to ensure the training of future pilots of F-35?
– “If the current T2 is designed to enable and facilitate the training of pilots to the Typhoon, with ergonomics close a contract is being negotiated to update its avionics in order to facilitate the transition from pilot to F -35, including the adoption of large touchscreens. “
-Assuming that the French air force adopted this plane, similar changes should they be made?
– “In case of adoption of this aircraft by the Air Force, an updated flight software would facilitate a transition between the aircraft and the Rafale for future pilots, without major hardware changes . The ergonomics of the cockpit equipment is more or less identical, but the screens are configurable at will.
Exchanges with France pilots are already successful, the BA-120 Cazaux and RAF Valley (two bases used to ensure business transformation drivers in each country ed.) Having the same plane we would much better interoperability. “
Whether you are French or British driver, and this is even more true for those who love all dream of taking this manettre full handle and push forward … To infinity and beyond!
-Do you think that France could make a choice to replace its British alphajets?
“The plane is not entirely a British plane, but already owns 24% of French origin components, as Adour engine made by Safran and optronic and electronic systems manufactured by Thales, which is about 3 million euros in turnover for the French industry. The plane is already part French. “
-How would you compare your plane against European competition? I think of the Italian M-346, or the Swiss PC-21.
– “Compared to its direct competitor, the Aermacchi M-346, the reliability of the Hawk is recognized with dozens of hours of flight instruction under his belt thousand, and a substantially lower price.
The Hawk T2 is a better solution than turboprops for advanced pilot training. Certainly less expensive to purchase, turboprops require more hours of training to complete pilot training. “
A big thank you to Flt Ltl Munton rewarding for this interview. I will certainly have a look at the booths Aermacchi, Pilatus, the ECATS and DGA to make a point on this issue.
-aviation)
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