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.
| Fighter Pilot | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Documentary Reality television |
| Created by | Colin Strong |
| Narrated by | Michael Dean |
| Theme music composer | Don Percival |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 9 September – 28 October 1981 |
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. The series was nominated for a BAFTA award in 1982 for Television Factual Series.
Candidates
edit| Candidate | Age | Background |
|---|---|---|
| John McCrea | 22 | Coalman, farm worker, milkman |
| Robbie Low | 21 | State registered nurse |
| Martin Oxborrow | 25 | Weapons technician at RAF Marham |
| Alistair Stewart | 22 | Zoologist |
| Trevor Lewis | 19 | Technician at RAF Odiham |
| Rhod Smart | 20 | Air fitter on Lightnings at RAF Binbrook |
Episodes
edit| 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. 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 | |
|
Five of the candidates graduate from the Officer Cadet Training Unit. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 5 | "Chopped" | 7 October 1981 | |
|
All of the five candidates make their first solo flights. | |||
| 6 | "Fear of Failing" | 14 October 1981 | |
|
The candidates progress through the basic flying training course. | |||
| 7 | "Wings" | 21 October 1981 | |
|
In March 1980, the remaining candidates move to the Advanced Flying School at RAF Valley for 21 weeks of advanced flying training on the Hawk T.1. | |||
| 8 | "Sport of Kings" | 28 October 1981 | |
|
In October 1980, the remaining candidates moves to the Tactical Weapons Unit (TWU) at RAF Brawdy, to learn the art of aerial warfare on the Hawk. | |||
Book
editA book of the television series was produced by Colin Strong and co-written with the author, Duff Hart-Davis.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Fighter Pilot – Episode 1 – "Dreams" 1981 BBC". YouTube. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ^ "RAF fast jet pilots: £4m training scheme selects only the most talented airmen". Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- ^ Strong, Colin; Duff Hart-Davis (1981). Fighter Pilot. Queen Anne Press. p. 167. ISBN 0-362-00578-8.