IT GOES PLACES QUICKLY, between 4 and 10 miles a minute, it has a prodigious thirst, great sensitivity and, in the single seat version at least, it is cramped.
So you plan the fuel, the route and the frequencies even more carefully than you would in a normal flight because it is extremely difficult to revise them once airborne. There is no autopilot, no heads-up display, no GPS. To remain ahead of the aircraft, you need to know where you are going and retain a high level of situational awareness.
If it's the two-seat aircraft and there's someone going with you, you need to start preparing them well in advance.
The cockpit of a Hunter is intimidating to those who are not familiar with it, doubly so for non-pilots. It is cluttered and claustrophobic and there are ejection seats and strapping procedures to cope with. Unlike most aircraft, ex-military jets like the Hunter have an escape system which means that, if there is some catastrophic failure and the aircraft is going down, your options are greater than sneaking a cell phone goodbye or reciting your rosary you can have an enormous kick in the backside and an excellent view of the accident. The trouble is that the seat rewards casual mishandling with death. That may sound melodramatic, but it is the simple truth.
It is absolutely essential that anyone who is going to sit in a live ejection seat understands its potential lethality in chilling detail. With the amazing reliability of the Hunter, the greatest actual threat to all involved is a casual approach to the seat. If the aircraft does go wrong, though, it is comforting to know that 93% of the 197 recorded ejections with the Martin-Baker Mk 3H seat were successful, and 96% of the 54 recorded with Mk 4H seat fitted to the two seat Hunter. In recent years, 3 out of 3 ejections using the Mk 3 seat were successful.
Walk Around
この記事は SA Flyer Magazine の January 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は SA Flyer Magazine の January 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
PLETTENBERG BAY AIRPORT
The ambitious plans to 'save' Plettenberg Bay Airport from the neglect of its local city council are fast unravelling.
NEW SEARCH FOR MH370
Ten years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished, the Malaysian government has approved yet another search for the missing aircraft.
SACAA WINS TOP EMPLOYER AWARD
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has been recognised as a Top Employer for 2025 by the Top Employers Institute.
RIGHT SEAT RULES NO. 26 SPINNING
I have been doing some long-range mentoring of a new instructor. I called her the other night to find out how she was getting on with her patter and preparation for the flight test.
SOUTH AFRICA STILL CONSIDERING C-390
Defenceweb reports that South African Air Force (SAAF) representatives were among a high-level government delegation given a tour of Embraer's facilities in Brazil, including C-390 Millenium and A-29 Super Tucano production lies.
SUPERMARINE Mk.26 - Spitfire
Due to the huge value and the irreplaceable nature of a real Spitfire, very few select pilots will ever get the opportunity to pilot a real Spitfire.
INTRODUCING BIG WATER AERO
The Gariep Dam Airport has changed hands. The new owners are rsa.Aero Winelands Airport.
SLING REPORTS BEST EVER YEAR
Sling Aircraft says 2024 has been its best year ever, with more planes sold and delivered than ever before.
PIAGGIO SOLD TO TURKISH UAV BUILDER
Baykar, a Turkish company specializing in unmanned aircraft, has received approval from the Italian Ministry of Enterprises to acquire Piaggio Aerospace, manufacturer of the P.180 Avanti turboprop.
DECEMBER 2024
This month's column closes off 2024. The year has flown by quickly and by the time you are reading this column you will already be well through the first month of the New Year!
