http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #359 FEBRUARY 2018 // 45
the team also tries to retain the same back-
up jet. For the 2015 and 2016 season,
FA-136 was used, switching to FA-134
in 2017, which also, usefully, ferried
spare ‘smokewinders’ and flares.
With the final demo flight made on
November 10, 2017, FA-123 ‘Blizzard’
was ready for a major overhaul and
a return to its standard colours. “We
have 300 hours between two phase
inspections, and we make sure we
use them for three seasons. But
the aircraft is very limited if it is not
used for display, to divide the overall
fatigue. We will always perform the
work-up training of the season with
the spare aircraft so that the fatigue
will be balanced there too.” A new
jet is in preparation for the new
pilot and new routine of 2018.
Gizmo reviewed his time flying the
F-16 demo with great pride. “It has
been a very interesting experience;
as a pilot, it is a pleasure to do this.
It has also been a very intense
period of high workload, but I look
back with great satisfaction. I
wouldn’t mind doing it again
for another year.” Looking
ahead, it’s back to the OCU
for 2018. He concluded: “As
long as my body says I can
fly the F-16, I will. I am still
motivated and enjoying it!”
Right: The latest M6.5 standard
software in FA-123 allowed
Gizmo to pre-select a flare
sequence for his display,
making his work in the
cockpit a little easier.
Previously, he had to count
out the individual flares as
they were ejected.
AFM