An invitation to join "No. 3 Flying Training School" at RAF Cranwell

When I received an e mail stating I was one of the lucky 16 I replied giving my car details and confirming I would be attending. Unfortunately the next day I got an e mail stating I hadn’t replied by the set date and I would not be able to attend. This was received some 7 days before the event. Hopefully will be able to attend on next visit

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They might be having another one in the spring.

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@Committee

Roger just about summed it all!

Really enjoyed it, briefing was good, but aimed at pilots I’d say. Was surprised to hear they perform low flying exercises in the Lincoln area at 250ft and force landing at 100ft.

The trainees looked very young, and can become fsst jet pilots in 60 weeks. That knowing diddly squat to a Phantom in just over a year. Also surprised to find out that there is currently only one fast jet female RAF pilot from Claudia (Our pilot officer guide).

The tour around the workshop was amazingly quiet and super clean. Fitting inside the Phenom was a challenge for a 6ft 1" guy but surprising comfortable once negotiated.

Ian had loads of GADC members on his list I think so I’m unsure why some didnt get their Joining Instructions.

No pictures were allowed but Ian will send some to the GADC sponsor. He is also sending me a list of GADC attendees.

Finally, I’m no pilot but found the Prefect simulator surprisingly easy to fly despite having a super senitive flight stick, but had to applaud @Modolincs Roger for his successful landing. Was impressive.

I wasn’t so happy with the Phenom simulator’s controls however,. very heavy and slower to react compared to the Prefect, which is probably why I crashed and burned! I blame the Flt Lt putting the simulator in night mode! :rofl: Flying the Mach loop was fun to begin with at least.

Both simulators were an accurate representation of the real flight controls apparently and were weighted accordingly.

The Prefect costs around £3m to buy new, which was the rough cost of the simulator.

Everybody had a great day I’d say and they were also pleased with the feedback they were getting from us, and said they’d be delighted to arrange another next year.

A few tales were swapped between us but the best one was the guy who successfully completed a forced landing last week in a farmers field after his motor threw a con-rod through the side of the engine block mid flight and blocked his vision with engine oil all over the screen. He and is wife had a lucky escape there for sure.

Many thanks to GADC for arranging this visit, it was awsome… and so are you. :hugs:

Ps. If anyone goes next year have a bite to eat before you go. They did put on buscuits and tea but afternoon was full and no time for more refreshments.

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thank you

Fantastic write up, thanks Colin :smiley:

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@PingSpike These are the photos Ian sent me this morning.

He also sent me the following list of GADC members who attended:

Rod Smith
Barry Holt
Mike Hornett
Samantha Briffett
Paul Hudson
Roger Hanson (pilot star)
Colin Lawson (crash & burn award 1)
John Everall (crash & Burn award 2)
Paul Edwards

… are there a badges for this? :rofl::rofl::wink:

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It was great day out and very well organised. The briefing was very intuitive especially as I live just north of Stamford and we get the Prefect and Typhoon regularly practicing above us. Slightly concerning to hear that they are looking at regular training at 250ft instead of 500 as there is more turbulence lower down. They are considering how to do this alongside drone pilots so will be interesting to see what happens in the future. They did confirm that they are not looking to lower our 400ft ceiling thank goodness…The sims were excellent and even managed to get a full 360 degree roll in on the Phenom. As others have said, the hanger was spotless. The Phenom is very small inside and must be very cosy with 2 pilots aboard in full flight gear.
All in all a brilliant day out and many thanks to Grey Arrows, RAF Cranwell, and Flt Lt Thompson for organising it.

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