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RAF Tutor T1 Display Team |
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The Grob Tutor T1 replaced the Royal Air Force's fleet of Bulldog primary training aircraft from 1999 onwards. Ninety of the new aircraft are used by University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights at 14 locations around the country. But unusually, the aircraft are not owned and maintained by the RAF, but carry civilian registrations and serviced under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI). VT Aerospace, the contractor, will own and maintain the aircraft, and at some sites also provide such essential flying support services as air traffic control and fire cover, saving the MoD an estimated £30 Million over the life of the 10 year contract. Returning for his second season as Tutor display pilot will be Flt Lt Andy Preece. Andy joined the RAF in 1991 after working for several years at Bulmers Cider. He graduated from Initial Officer Training at RAF Cranwell in September 1991 and began flying training, as a Navigator, at RAF Finningley. On completion of Navigator training, Andy was posted to the Tornado GR1.Following a successful operational and weapons conversion, he served 3 years in Germany at RAF Bruggen with No. 17(F) Squadron. His next tour was as an instructor at the Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment (TTTE) at RAF Cottesmore where he taught Italian and German Pilots and Navigators, as well as RAF students.Whilst instructing at TTTE, Andy re-trained as a pilot. Since changing branch to Pilot, Andy has flown the Tornado GR1, Hawk, Tucano, Harrier GR7/T10 and the Grob Tutor. His last tour was as a Qualified Pilot Navigation Instructor at the Navigator Training Unit (NTU) flying the Hawk. The NTU is part of No. 100Sqn, RAF Leeming. Whilst there, he taught future Tornado GR4 and F3 Navigators their future skills. When not displaying the Tutor, Andy’s full time job is as a Qualified Flying Instructor at the recently formed 1 Squadron,1 Elementary Flying Training School based at RAF Cranwell. Official Website: http://www.tutordisplay.org.uk |
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2008 RAF Tutor T1 Display Calendar |
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( displays subject to weather, servicability and operational requirements) |
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