RAF pilots eject from their aircraft

bridie


Joined: 18/09/2008
Posts: 308

Message Posted:
09/02/2009 17:41

Two RAF pilots had to eject from their harrier jet at RAF Akrotiri this afternoon .

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
09/02/2009 18:07

Haven't landed near me.

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
09/02/2009 18:15

Did they land safely?

juliet


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 612

Message Posted:
09/02/2009 18:49

they ejected just before the aircraft crashed into the sea, they are in a serious condition!

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
09/02/2009 19:51

Sorry Juliet,didn't mean to be frivolous,I hope,Inshallah all is well.

I am an ex Naval pilot,so I am aware

juliet


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 612

Message Posted:
09/02/2009 20:02

they are now stable according to the latest news.

Mindy



Joined: 27/10/2008
Posts: 1210

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 01:12

Heard this on the radio also today, the reports said swimmers witnessed it in Larnaca, swimming!! are they mad, brrrrh

Macha


Joined: 18/01/2009
Posts: 650

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 01:46

mikelapta: "I am an ex Naval pilot,so I am aware"



Who with and where? I know a few FAA guys.

tonyhickey



Joined: 13/06/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 03:40

Two RAF pilots were injured when they were forced to eject from their aircraft in Cyprus.

The crew members from 20 squadron were training at the British air force base in Akrotiri when their plane crashed on the runway.

They were forced to eject and were taken to The Princess Mary's Hospital with "non-life-threatening" injuries, a spokeswoman for the British armed forces in Cyprus said.

Their Harrier jet has been

tonyhickey



Joined: 13/06/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 03:42

left "non-operational" and an investigation is being carried out, she added.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 13:18

Quote from another site:

"There have been 143 differant crashes of the Harrier since its inception 31 years ago. All have been equipment related. Many on takeoff because of uncommanded roll overs. There is an ongoing investigation of this phenomona here in the States. Some believe it's computer related, others in the engine management systems."

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 13:52

Hi Macha,I did not last too long as a pilot,did jet provosts from Linton,near York with RAF.then before going on to Lossiemouth,on Buccaneers,had a bad landing.Sent me off on Observer course to Malta.

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 18:14

Tony Hickey..That must be the new term for a "write-Off"..It was "unserviceable " when I was in the RAF.If he crashed on the runway he must have been coming into land and adopting the hover position before touch down.They dont like doing vertical take offs,uses to much fuel,and they only have water injection for cooling the engine for a limited timed,hence the short rolling take off. They have a reputation for being a trite touchy in the controls,let your concentration lapse for a second and they bite you very hard as the US Marines found out when they bought them.They thought they could put helicopter pilots on them,big mistake,as they found to therecost.You have to be the very best to fly one of those machines..

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 13:21

Hi Coachie,



I seem to remember reading that the USMC bought about 200 AV8Bs in the 80's and lost 1 in 3 to non-combat incidents. I also remember reading that this was considered an acceptable figure!!

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 14:52

Trnc Vaughen..Oh,yes they bought the whole shooting match lock stock and barrell so that MD could build them in the states.They really did try and put chopper pilots on them but after numerous mishaps they realised they neededtop jockeys for this little bird of prey.Certainly changed it over the years from the little Kestrel as it was first known as.The Marines were part of the Tripartite Unit set up to evaluate it in 60,s and they loved it then and still do.It really came of age in the Falklands conflict,much to the annoyance of the Argies who turned it down as a replacement for there Skyhawks,and lived to regret their decision.They are sorting out the serious problems of crashes which are mostly during conversion from normal fighter flying to Harrier flying..