WRAeS Talk: Life in the Cockpit from Grasshopper to Harrier

Chris Burwell will cover his career in aviation from joining the RAF in 1969 to having responsibility for training pilots for the world's major airlines nearly 50 years later.

After flying training and a tour as a flying instructor on Jet Provosts, he joined the Harrier Force, flying on front-line squadrons in the UK and Germany during the Cold War, and as an instructor on the Harrier Conversion Unit. His association with the Harrier spanned the period 1976-1994 and included operational detachments to Belize and the Falkland Islands, ejection from a Harrier GR3, display flying, the introduction of Forward Looking Infra Red and Night Vision Goggles to the Harrier front line and operational missions into Northern Iraq.

Chris's talk will focus on his time in the RAF with particular emphasis on his time with the Harrier.

For more information please contact: wraesmemsec@outlook.com

Speaker bio:

Chris joined the RAF in 1969 aged 18 after getting the taste for it in the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force at school.

After training at RAF Cranwell and RAF Valley his first tour was as a flying Instructor on Jet Provosts after which he joined the Harrier Force. Flying with front line squadrons in the UK and Germany during the Cold War and as an instructor and display pilot on the Harrier Conversion Unit. He commanded the Harrier flight at RAF Stanley in the Falklands twice.

Following two tours at the RAF Personnel Management Centre, Chris took command of No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron flying missions into Northern Iraq and leading the introduction of night operations to the Harrier front line. Following a tour as the station commander of RAF Scampton, higher staff training and two years in a Command HQ, Chris left the RAF in 1999 to join Cobham managing their Teesside base and flying the Falcon 20 on operational training for the military and the King Air 200 on international calibration tasks.

Finally, he spent 4 years in Spain with Flight Training Europe, Jerez as Head of Operations before returning to the UK.

Chris is the author of the Book ‘Nine Lives - The Compelling Memoir of a Cold War Harrier Pilot’.

Meetings are held in the Brooklands Museum Clubhouse.

The Brooklands Club Members bar is open to us from 5:45pm – please use card payment for drinks. Food can also be ordered from the Bar and will be served at 5:45pm

All are welcome (RAeS membership is not required). There is an entry donation of £5.00 (please use card payment) at the door. This donation is not expected from those under the age of 21 or holders of a current Student Union card.

Certificates of Attendance for C.Eng or CPD purposes are available on request.

Entry is via Campbell Gate only, Brooklands Road, KT13 0QN from 5.45pm.