F35s

[Blackcat1]

Hi all

When was the last time a F35 flew a sortie?

Thanks

[reaper493]

I think it was over the RIAT weekend, for the flypasts, if you class them as a sortie?

[Blue Diamond]

And yet someone on a Facebook group says they’ve been flying regularly. Suppose it depends on one’s definition of regularly. I’ve seen very few movement reports for them.

[TeeJay]

They are flying regularly.... just not very often...

I’ll get my coat....

Trev

[Davem245]

As President Trump says they are invisible, So they probably fly every day but we can not see them!!!

DAVEM

[Blackcat1]

Thanks guys

[toom317]

As President Trump says they are invisible, So they probably fly every day but we can not see them!!!

DAVEM

We've had them low level through the Moffat valley pretty regularly, but they must have the stealth switched on, as none of the photos come out. Must admit, I look in the Marham thread regularly just to see if they are flying/ have flown.

There was some concern about the noise these things make, and the local residents not being happy. Doesn't look like it's going to be much of a problem after all.

[GeorgeE]

How many F35's are actually stationed there? 9?
I am off to Suffolk next week yes I know it will be quiet, bank hols, but would love to get some Tonka pictures before they all go, and an F35 would be a bonus.

[Tiger 1]

Hi GeorgeE

Not sure if its still the case but the RAF don't start flying again untill about 1pm the day after the Bank Holiday.

So I would say Monday no flying and Tuesday very quiet with little moving untill the afternoon.

Wednesday would see normal duties resumed.

I'm sure some of the guys on here will know more but if you are visiting Marham, then I would go on Wednesday.

Mildenhall will be open on Monday and I would say Lakenheath will be shut as a rule.

Hope it helps.

T1

[KarlADrage]

I think it was over the RIAT weekend, for the flypasts, if you class them as a sortie?

There was definitely a couple of occasions over Farnborough week where I noted Typhoon + F-35 entering (and later exiting) the Daventry Corridor to flyby there.

Not seen reference to them flying since.

[TonyO]

My understanding was the last time one flew a training sortie was July 26.

[SpilsbyPete]

I heard that a lot of Pilots/Ground Crew were on holiday,as they had been stateside for a while.
Expect them back when there kids go back to school.

[TonyO]

Given their need to work up for IOC (Land) by the end of the year, sending all the pilots off on holiday seems unlikely.

[toom317]

Don't know if things have changed since I left the RAF, but Disembarkation Leave was 2 weeks, on return to the UK

[ChrisCwmbran]

Certainly ZM148 was flying on 24th July.

[Off Airways]

Given their need to work up for IOC (Land) by the end of the year, sending all the pilots off on holiday seems unlikely.

Actually Tony it's a very reasonable statement, they are entitled to their leave after an overseas detachment and actually it's more of their right in 2018.
The old days of simply doing as they are told are long gone, there is a right for the Squadron commander to take his crew's wives and families into consideration.

... Think this way ... would you like a crewroom of pilots or engineeers who are cheesed off flying brand new state of the art jets. Give them their well earned leave then you can ask a lot more from them and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to do it.

I know, I've been there. There are BAD autocratic Squadron bosses but they are few and far between now.

Just my two pennies worth of course

[AIJerry]

"... Think this way ... would you like a crewroom of pilots or engineeers who are cheesed off flying brand new state of the art jets. Give them their well earned leave then you can ask a lot more from them and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to do it."

I couldn't agree more, however, if that is the reason then it begs a few questions. As Tony says, IOC (LAND) is a long-established target and it is not easy to see how it can be achieved in an already tight time-frame with no flying. In any event, the powers that be surely planned for life post-delivery. It is said that CAS brought delivery to UK forward at the insistence of Gavin Williamson who realised their'd be no F-35 for the 100th celebrations. OK, that's fair enough, but surely there was some thought given to what would happen when the shiny new toys arrived? Fast jet flying is a perishable skill and I'm told 15 days between flights is considered a very long time indeed. It is now more than a month since an F-35 last launched from Marham. There are no available F-35 sims at Marham I believe. The cadre of pilots / ground crews surely allows enough flexibility to maintain some level of flying. I'm sure the training pipeline will have churned out more than nine drivers. Notwithstanding the problems with ALIS and the (alleged) unfortunate case of the digger and the cable, nine jets should permit some flying. It's hardly surprising that a lot of 'interested observers', like Tony, are curious. I think we should be told.

[Off Airways]

"... Think this way ... would you like a crewroom of pilots or engineeers who are cheesed off flying brand new state of the art jets. Give them their well earned leave then you can ask a lot more from them and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to do it."

I think we should be told.

Actually there is no need for you to be told ... remember this is a "Hobby" ... they will fly when they are scheduled and not on the wishes of "Spotters" over the fence.

You should also appreciate how liberal our country is that you can sit and watch military aircraft at UK stations ... Go across the Channel to see how quickly you will be moved on: France, Spain, Italy, Greece to name but a few.

[AIJerry]

Ah, you don't know the provenance of 'I think we should be told', I thought you would. And for me and Tony it's not a hobby, it's a job. And I've been to all those countries - and many many more - looking at aeroplanes so I know how that goes, thank you. And as for a liberal country, I'm talking as someone whose first career was all about safeguarding and ensuring that liberty. I made the mistake of assuming you'd get my irony. You didn't, my fault. Have a nice day.

[TombsRIP]

"... Think this way ... would you like a crewroom of pilots or engineeers who are cheesed off flying brand new state of the art jets. Give them their well earned leave then you can ask a lot more from them and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to do it."

I couldn't agree more, however, if that is the reason then it begs a few questions. As Tony says, IOC (LAND) is a long-established target and it is not easy to see how it can be achieved in an already tight time-frame with no flying. In any event, the powers that be surely planned for life post-delivery. It is said that CAS brought delivery to UK forward at the insistence of Gavin Williamson who realised their'd be no F-35 for the 100th celebrations. OK, that's fair enough, but surely there was some thought given to what would happen when the shiny new toys arrived? Fast jet flying is a perishable skill and I'm told 15 days between flights is considered a very long time indeed. It is now more than a month since an F-35 last launched from Marham. There are no available F-35 sims at Marham I believe. The cadre of pilots / ground crews surely allows enough flexibility to maintain some level of flying. I'm sure the training pipeline will have churned out more than nine drivers. Notwithstanding the problems with ALIS and the (alleged) unfortunate case of the digger and the cable, nine jets should permit some flying. It's hardly surprising that a lot of 'interested observers', like Tony, are curious. I think we should be told.

interesting article in AW&ST very recently...

http://aviationweek.com/defense/questio ... 593b26693e

Cheers