Airforces

gunsmoke

part of a section, with an instructor pilot in the

other jet. On completion of these instruction

flights, the pilot is considered ready to complete

the rest of the syllabus in a single-seater

alongside other operationally qualified pilots.

Almost every pilot within the Swiss F/A-

18 squadrons is qualified for air-to-ground

gunnery and practises on a regular basis

during the ‘shooting period’ which lasts

from October to March for reasons of

environmental protection. However, flying

the parcours during Axalp involves engaging

different targets from various attack angles

and requires an additional syllabus. This

advanced programme is only mastered by

around two-thirds of all squadron pilots.

Full concentration

AFM spoke to a pilot who had just returned

from a flight to the range involving live

Above: Swiss Air Force EC635P2+ T-368 conducts a search and rescue role demonstration.

Below: F/A-18C J-5014, fl own by display pilot Capt Nicolas ‘Vincent’ Rossier of Fliegerstaffel 17, dumps

fl ares as it pulls up within the confi nes of the Ebenfl uh range. All photos Dr Andreas Zeitler

http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #358 JANUARY 2018 // 43