RAF King Air B200 Solo Display

The Beech King Air B200, the newest training aircraft in the RAF inventory, is a twin-engine turboprop monoplane, which first entered RAF service in 2004. It is used as an advanced, multi-engine pilot trainer by No 45(R) Squadron, which is part of No 3 Flying Training School based at RAF Cranwell, in Lincolnshire. It is a well liked aircraft by it's crews and trainees.

No 45 Squadron formed at Gosport on 1st March 1916. During it's history it served in France during the first world war, Egypt and Iraq between the wars and the western desert and far east during the second world war. After the second world war the squadron stayed Asia seeing action in Maylaya. The sqaudron then reformed back in the UK with Hunters in 1970 before moving on to the Jaguar and Tornado.

In 1992, the squadron plate moved on the Jetsream multi engined training aircraft at Cranwell before converting onto the King Air in 2004.

The King Air display is flown by Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) from 45(Reserve) Squadron based at Royal Air Force Cranwell in Lincolnshire.  For the 2008 display season, the aircraft will be flown by Flight Lieutenant Leon Creese assisted by either Flight Lieutenant Duncan Wright or Flight Lieutenant Ben Mason.

Flight Lieutenant Leon Creese

Leon was born in Salisbury and raised in Ringwood, Hampshire.  After education at Ringwood School and Brockenhurst College he joined the RAF as a direct entrant at the age of 19.  After graduating from Initial Officer Training, Leon remained at RAF Cranwell where he completed flying training on the Jet Provost T5.  On completion of multi-engine advanced flying training on the Jetstream T1 at RAF Finningley, he commenced the first of two operational tours on the C130K Hercules at RAF Lyneham in support of global operations including Kuwait, the Balkans and Sierra Leone.  Following a short ground tour in support of Headquarters Training Group, Leon commenced training as a King Air QFI.  Leon is in his fourth year on 45(R) Sqn where he has been responsible for the training and assessment of student pilots and, as a Central Flying School (CFS) Standards Flight instructor, the type conversion and continuation training of qualified flying instructors.

Flight Lieutenant Duncan Wright

Duncan was born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and grew up at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire, while his father was a RAF Hercules captain.  He attended Wootton Bassett School and joined the RAF as a direct entrant at the age of 18, keen to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather (who was an RAF Master Pilot on Wellingtons and Dakotas).  After graduating from Initial Officer Training, Duncan completed flying training on the Jet Provost T3A at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and the Jetstream T1 at RAF Finningley.   Having earned his wings, Duncan returned to RAF Lyneham to fly the Hercules where he stayed for 12 years.  He completed 3 tours on the C130K Hercules and most recently a tour on the Operational Conversion Unit teaching pilots on the C130J.   Duncan is in his third year on 45(R) Sqn where he is a CFS Standards Flight instructor.

Flight Lieutenant Ben Mason

Ben was born in West Germany, where his father was serving with the RAF, and educated at Stamford School, Lincolnshire.  He completed Elementary Flying Training on East Midlands UAS, and attained a degree in Civil Engineering whilst at the University of Nottingham, before joining the RAF.  After graduating from Initial Officer Training, he completed flying training on the Jetstream T1 at RAF Cranwell.  After a short period flying the Hercules C130K, at RAF Lyneham, he crossed over to the C130J.  He completed two tours on the C130J before qualifying as a King Air QFI in 2007.

2008 RAF King Air B200 Solo Display Calendar

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