Fighter Pilot
GenreDocumentary
Reality television
Created byColin Strong
Narrated byMichael Dean
Theme music composerDon Percival
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes8
Production
Running time30 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release9 September 1981 (1981-09-09)

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. The series was nominated for a BAFTA award in 1982 for Television Factual Series.

Candidates

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

Episode Title Original Air Date
1"Dreams"9 September 1981 (1981-09-09)
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 (1981-09-16)
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 (1981-09-23)
Five of the candidates graduate from the Officer Cadet Training Unit.
4"Going Solo"30 September 1981 (1981-09-30)
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 (1981-10-07)
All of the five candidates make their first solo flights.
6"Fear of Failing"14 October 1981 (1981-10-14)
The candidates progress through the basic flying training course.
7"Wings"21 October 1981 (1981-10-21)
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 (1981-10-28)
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

A book of the television series was produced by Colin Strong and co-written with the author, Duff Hart-Davis.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Fighter Pilot – Episode 1 – "Dreams" 1981 BBC". YouTube. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "RAF fast jet pilots: £4m training scheme selects only the most talented airmen". Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  3. ↑ Strong, Colin; Duff Hart-Davis (1981). Fighter Pilot. Queen Anne Press. p. 167. ISBN 0-362-00578-8.
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