Schools Aerospace Challenge builds relationship with RAF Valley

One of the very popular items during the week at Cranfield is the annual visit of a Hawk from RAF Valley when everyone has an opportunity to look over the aircraft, sit in the cockpit and talk to the crew.

I am particularly pleased the SAC is building on its relationship with RAF Valley because I was posted there to fly Vampires after getting my wings in June 1957. Later in August 1974 I had the privilege of flying the photo chase on Duncan Simpson when he did the first flight of the Hawk at Dunsfold. For that we used the two seat Harrier G-VTOL so it was able to fly formation on the Hawk both in the air and as it slowed to a stop after landing!

At Cranfield we also use the Hawk as the subject for a talk on the process by which such aircraft are designed. The RAF of today is getting an updated version of this very successful aircraft which has been exported all round the world including to the USA where the USN use it for pilot training on their aircraft carriers.

In 2009 the visiting Hawk was flown by 19 Sqn Instructor Flt Lt Rob Stewart and his student Flt Lt Steve Barton. Both Rob and Steve had been my students on earlier SAC courses so it was great to see them again and congratulate them on their achievements.




Rob, John and Steve meet up again.  Rob and Steve then split our students into two groups and gave them a really good brief on all aspects of their aircraft and flying clothing.







As you read this – and whether it is your ambition to be an engineer or aircrew - may I say that from personal experience I know that the most important factor is one’s determination to make it happen.

John Farley