Fleet Air Arm fast jet pilots

[LotusOmega375D]

With the demise of the Harrier and the intended replacement seemingly many years away from becoming operational, what has happened to the Navy's fast jet pilots?

[Dr Jekyll]

Keeping in practice flying US Navy F18s.

[gazapc]

On a related note, it was announced a couple of days ago that 809 NAS would be the first FAA squadron to get the F35B alongside 617 squadron.

[Mojocvh]

The way that program is heading we'll be lucky to have flights let alone squadrons...

[anonymous-user]

736 NAS are flying T1 Hawks operating from Culdrose and Yeovilton. They provide training for FOST by attacking the Navy every Thursday off Plymouth Hoe

[Mojocvh]

Hunters were much more "fun".

[Ginetta G15 Girl]

Mojocvh said:

Hunters were much more "fun".

Canberras with a Hunter tucked under each wing simulating an Exocet were much more "fun"!

[MK1 GIT]

pablo said:

736 NAS are flying T1 Hawks operating from Culdrose and Yeovilton. They provide training for FOST by attacking the Navy every Thursday off Plymouth Hoe

I always thought they were flown by retired Air Force or navy pilots. Learn something new everyday.

[Eric Mc]

And a couple of Hunters are STILL being used.

[Elroy Blue]

Flew in the Hunter T7 during the thursday war. But sadly it wasn't a Canberra, it was a FRADU Falcon.

[Ayahuasca]

pablo said:

736 NAS are flying T1 Hawks operating from Culdrose and Yeovilton. They provide training for FOST by attacking the Navy every Thursday off Plymouth Hoe

They are pretending to be missiles; not 'attacking' themselves as such.

[AshVX220]

Well, here's what one of thm is doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBI7uiDQA6Y

[LotusOmega375D]

Interesting film, thanks for posting. Funny to see the F-35 coming and going with all the various panels open. Also the night vision shots show clearly you where the exhaust gasses are pointed.

[Taffer]

MK1 GIT said:

I always thought they were flown by retired Air Force or navy pilots. Learn something new everyday.

While there are serving pilots staying 'current' on fast jets at 736NAS (or FRADU as it was until a couple of months ago), some are also ex-forces who will hold a reservist rank. I think a few still fly for civvy airlines. Not a bad 'weekend' job to have (swap the jumbo for a Hawk)!

[egor110]

pablo said:

736 NAS are flying T1 Hawks operating from Culdrose and Yeovilton. They provide training for FOST by attacking the Navy every Thursday off Plymouth Hoe

None of 736 squadron are actually navy, they are all retired and work for serco.