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MAA celebrates Typhoon

Twenty MAA members were privileged to spend an entire day visiting RAF 3(F) Squadron at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.


 

The group was given a full tour of the front-line facilities that support the squadron’s Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft -- which more than 70 MAA companies help to make and service.

As they left the base at the end of an unforgettable visit, the mood was summed up by one visitor: “I feel totally protected and safe in their hands.”

After being warmly welcomed by Wg Cdr I J Townsend MA, OC 3(F) Sqn to the squadron’s facilities at the far side of the airfield, the MAA group was first given an hour-long in-depth slide show by XO Sqn Ldr Billy Cooper of the Typhoon’s flying capabilities, including pictures from a recent tour of duty by the squadron’s pilots in the Baltics projecting NATO power in the context of the current Ukraine political situation. The visitors recognised that the presentation only scratched the surface of the pilot’s capability and knowledge, with several of the aircraft’s fighting abilities only alluded to for security reasons.


Group photo

The MAA group then had its breath taken away by a flying display of the Typhoon’s aerobatic prowess of the type seen at the Farnborough Airshow, with the difference being that this display, instead of set off at some distance from the viewer for safety reasons, was all around them and over their heads at 250ft altitude under low cloud – and was even louder. Flown like this, the visitors were told, the Typhoon would use all its fuel in only a few minutes, compared to a relatively miserly consumption obtained at a steady speed at high altitude.

An inspirational team of young engineers next showed the MAA visitors, broken into small groups, around a Typhoon aircraft in its hardened hanger, reviewing in considerable detail for over an hour their skilled maintenance activities whether mechanical (structure and engine), avionics or weapons systems and answering adeptly all the tricky questions the visitors could throw at them. 

MAA Chairman

Taking a look at the cockpit

Typhoon at Coningsby

Typhoon engines

  

Looking around the Typhoon

Aircraft tour

Typhoon pilot

Typhoon pilot Flt Lt Steve Moore

 

The final leg of this spectacular tour was to the base’s advanced four-seat flight simulator system which the MAA group was shown from the viewpoint of a pilot actually flying the simulator, then from the viewpoint of the senior experienced trainer able to programme many different types of missions and challenges to develop the skills of the pilot. No real surprise to find that the flight simulator system is so powerful it is the biggest consumer of electricity on the entire base.

Operational pilot Flt Lt Tim J. Pye proved an exceptional host for the MAA group from beginning to end of a day perhaps the highlight of which was his measured but spellbinding debrief of a four-aircraft bombing mission he and three colleagues had “flown” the previous day on the simulator.

At the end of an unforgettable visit MAA chairman Clive Snowdon presented Wing Commander Townsend with an MAA membership certificate marking the award of honorary membership of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance to the squadron. The Wing Commander in turn made clear he understood just how widespread and deep is the industrial network that produces and sustains the aircraft and how much this work by MAA member companies is appreciated by the squadron itself.


MAA Chairman Clive Snowdon and Wing Commander TownsendMAA Chairman Clive Snowdon presenting Wing Commander
Townsend with an MAA membership certificate 

 

Feedback from MAA members

  • It was amazing, from the point of view of those of us in the humble supply chain, to see the end result of the Typhoon programme at the sharp end. To spend the day with No. 3 (F) Squadron, and be afforded the courtesies that they gave us, whilst carrying out such an important job as the QRA duties that they undertake, was absolutely awesome.

  • I have come into work this morning and continued my raving, much to everyone's annoyance here, as everyone is extremely jealous; I do appreciate what a privilege it was to have been so up close and personal to the Coningsby base, aircraft, people, everything to do with Typhoon, and have the day down as one of the highlights of my life – it certainly won't be forgotten!

  • A massive massive thank you from me, and well done to you guys/gals there at Midlands Aerospace for organising such a fantastic, memorable day – that will certainly take some beating.

  • I think yesterday’s visit will be very hard to top.

  • Thank you and your MAA colleagues for the organisation of a very interesting and most enjoyable visit. It is good to have the opportunity to talk direct to the end users and see the fruits of all our efforts.

  • Yesterday’s visit has to be one of the most interesting and enjoyable events I have had the privilege to attend.

  • Having a personal interest in aviation and aircraft I was overjoyed to have been selected to be part of the event at RAF Coningsby, which by the way far exceeded my expectations as to what we would be treated to.

  • Thanks must go to everyone involved at RAF Coningsby, from Group Captain Johnny Stringer & Wing Commander Ian Townsend to all of the pilots, engineers and support staff that assured a warm welcome and made the day so special.

  • Personally, I think it was a fabulous day and I wouldn’t change a thing, including the fish and chips. The timings, the setting and the welcome from our hosts. Spot on and perfect! Keep up the good work, thank you.

  • It was a fantastic privilege to be able to visit RAF Coningsby.  I thank you for the opportunity to be part of the small team who were able to attend.

  • Seeing the flight simulators and debriefing room was fascinating, and the flying display fabulous!

  • FANTASTIC!

 

An extra special thanks from the MAA also goes to Mr Darin Tudor, Honorary Marketing Manager, RAF Number 1 (Fighter) Squadron Association.

Photos courtesy of Gareth Brown.