Learn to Test, Test to Learn: The Empire Test Pilots School 80th anniversary

[RavenOne]

The worlds first test pilots school, our Empire Test Pilots School opened its doors for the first students in 1943, with the first fixed wing course and 2 decades later the first rotary wing course started. One of the graduates of the 1960s course was the late NASA Astronaut Al Worden who passed away in the last few years (I had pleasure of seeing him at the US Pavilion in Farnborough Air Show 2018 handing over the stars and stripes he carried to and from space to our RAF AIr Marshal).

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k34mByu8sB0


Anyhow over the years the fleet at Boscombe Down has dwindled and its now all civilian registered fleet, no fast jets anymore ..the fastest is Pilatus PC-21 two seat trainer. Anyhow here are my photos from the last five years starting with

Royal International Air Tattoo 2018:
Grob G120, Airbus Helicopters H125 (their first new one) and Pilatus PC-21


Farnborough Air Show 2018

Airbus Chalet, attended the unveiling and handing over of the second H125




Royal International Air Tattoo 2022:
BAE / Avro RJ100 and Leonardo AW139





Royal International Air Tattoo 2023 last month
Avro RJ70 and Leonardo AW109S Grand



cheers