Fighter Pilot (TV series)

Fighter Pilot (TV series)
Genre	Documentary Reality television
Created by	Colin Strong
Narrated by	Michael Dean
Theme music composer	Don Percival
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language(s)	English
No. of episodes	8
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Release
Original network	BBC One
Original release	9 September 1981

Fighter Pilot is a BBC television documentary series that was broadcast in the UK on BBC One, from 9 September to 28 October 1981.^[1] It was about the training of fast jet pilots in the Royal Air Force and followed the progress of six candidates as they went through the three-year programme. The BBC and the RAF first agreed to work together on a documentary in 1978, when there was a poor level of recruitment and a shortage of pilots in the service. At the time it cost £1 million to train a pilot (£4 million in 2011^[2]). The training process, from selection to operational service has a high drop-out rate and only one of the six original candidates went on to fly fast jets.

Three of the candidates were airmen who already served in the RAF, while the others were from civilian backgrounds (qualified nurse, zoologist and milkman/farm worker). The series was produced by Colin Strong, who closely followed the candidates for three-and-a-half years. To gain a detailed insight in to the process, he undertook the RAF basic flying training course himself and flew solo in a Jet Provost.

Candidates

Candidate	Age	Background	RAF flying career
John McCrea[3]	22	Coalman, farm labourer, milkman	Pilot on Buccaneer (Operation Granby)
Robbie Low[4]	21	State registered nurse	Pilot on Canberra then navigator on Tornado (Kosovo Campaign, Operation Telic)
Martin Oxborrow[5]	25	Weapons technician at RAF Marham	Pilot on Hercules (Falklands War, Ethiopia famine)
Alistair Stewart	22	Zoologist	-
Trevor Lewis	19	Technician at RAF Odiham	-
Rhoderick Smart	20	Air fitter on Lightnings at RAF Binbrook	Navigator on Phantom

Episodes

Episode	Title	Original Air Date
1	"Dreams"	9 September 1981
The series begins in May 1978, when thirty-one applicants arrive at the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF Biggin Hill. Part one of the selection process involves two days of aptitude and medical tests and interviews. Twenty-two candidates progress to part two of selection, which involves group exercises. Six of the candidates are offered pilot training.
2	"Officers and Gentlemen"	16 September 1981
In September 1978, the candidates arrive at the RAF Officer Cadet Training Unit at RAF Henlow for their 18 week officer training course.
3	"Graduation"	23 September 1981
Rhod Smart does not pass officer training, but later on re-takes the course and passes. Alistair Stewart narrowly misses out on winning the Sword of Honour.
4	"Going Solo"	30 September 1981
In March 1979, the five officer cadets move to the Basic Flying Training School (BFTS) at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, where they learn to fly the Jet Provost. One of the Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) on the course is Flt Lt Martin Withers.
5	"Chopped"	7 October 1981
All of the five candidates make their first solo flights, but Trevor Lewis begins to demonstrate difficulties with landing. He is placed on review and given extra tuition from the chief instructor, but does not pass basic flying training.
6	"Fear of Failing"	14 October 1981
Alistair Stewart leaves the course to train as a navigator. Martin Oxborrow passes and goes on to multi-engine flying training at RAF Finningley.
7	"Wings"	21 October 1981
In March 1980, John McCrea and Robbie Low move to the Advanced Flying School at RAF Valley for 21 weeks of advanced flying training on the Hawk T.1. Both candidates pass the course and qualify for their wings. Robbie Low moves to the Canberra Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) at RAF Marham.
8	"Sport of Kings"	28 October 1981
In October 1980, John McCrea moves to the Tactical Weapons Unit (TWU) at RAF Brawdy, to learn the art of aerial warfare on the Hawk. He passes the course and in May 1981, moves to the Buccaneer OCU at RAF Honington. After completion of the course he is posted to XV Squadron, based at RAF Laarbruch in Germany.

Book

A book of the television series was produced by Colin Strong and co-written with the author, Duff Hart-Davis.^[6]

References

1. "www.youtube.com - Fighter Pilots - Episode 1 - "Dreams" 1981 BBC". Retrieved 21 November 2015.
2. "RAF fast jet pilots: £4m training scheme selects only the most talented airmen". Retrieved 13 April 2011.
3. "Blackburn Buccaneer: The Awesome 'Banana Jet'". www.avcollect.com. 21 November 2015.
4. "4000 hours in reserve". www.raf.mod.uk. 23 July 2008.
5. "Wales This Week, Social Insecurity". ITV News. 11 March 2013.
6. Strong, Colin; Duff Hart-Davis (1981). Fighter Pilot. Queen Anne Press. p. 167. ISBN 0-362-00578-8.