Target Aviation Photography

SAOEU

QinetiQ and Low Level Flying
Boscombe Down
Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC)
Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS)
RAF Aviation School of Medicine

QinetiQ nose art first seen in July 2007 The military and the personnel of QinetiQ work together in partnership at the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC) at Boscombe Down. ATEC comprises;
Fast Jet Test Squadron (FJTS),
Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron (HATS),
Rotary Wing Test Squadron (RWTS),
The Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) which carries out test pilot training, also at Boscombe Down.

Aircraft used for Low-level flying sorties.
Apart from a changing fleet of aircraft QinetiQ will borrow aircraft from the RAF from time to time. Some aircraft are shared between ATEC and ETPS.

Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC)
Fast Jet Test Squadron (FJTS)

Harrier GR.9 (ZG477)
Jaguar T.2A retired on 20/12/07

Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS)
The ETPS course is divided into three terms. The first covers aircraft performance, the second aircraft handling and the third aircraft systems. To help develop the test pilot's skills they are required to fly a whole range of aircraft types and sizes. Multi-typing exposes pilots to different methods and technologies. All flights are meticulously planned with all risks properly assessed. Every operation is subject to constant supervision and authorisation for every stage of a flight-testing program. Post flight the pilots are subject to peer review utilising their experience and to senior review by those in command.

Tucano T.1 (ZF510, ZF511)
Andover C.1 (XS606)
Alpha Jet (ZJ645-ZJ651) of which only two are allowed to fly at low level due to the equipment the other aircraft carry.
Tornado GR.1 (ZA326) retired in 2005.

Tornado GR.1 (ZA326) this was the last GR.1 to fly and was retired at the end of 2005, low flying in Cumbria in 2005.

Left to right: Andover C.1 (XS606) with the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) low flying in Wales in June 2007 and once again in February 2008.

Left to right: C-130J-30 Hercules C.4 (ZH871) and Tucano T.1 (ZF511) in March 2007 and Tucano T.1 (ZF510) in October 2008.

Tornado F.3 (ZE755 'YL') in 25 Squadron colours in September 2006. This aircraft was using call-sign 'Gauntlet 12' and passed through the A5 pass on its way for a practice diversion into Valley. Again at low-level this time through the Mach Loop in March 2007.

Left to right: Two-seat Jaguar T.4 (XX841) in July 2006 and Jaguar T.2B (XX833) in June 2006 and on its final flight as 'Gauntlet 14' on December 20, 2007.

Alpha Jet (ZJ646) of QinetiQ's Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC), Fast Jet Test Squadron (FJTS) in Wales in May 2008

Alpha Jet (ZJ646) of QinetiQ's Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC), Fast Jet Test Squadron (FJTS) low flying in Wales in May 2008.

Alpha Jet (ZJ646) low flying in Wales in July, August and November 2007.

Left to right: Alpha Jet (ZJ648) of QinetiQ in June 2006.

Royal Air Force Aviation School of Medicine

The RAF Aviation School of Medicine is based at RAF Henlow, however its two Hawk T.1's operate from Boscombe Down and often fly low level sorties.
Hawk T.1A (XX321) is inscribed 'RAF Aviation School of Medicine' along the top of the fuselage. Seen here in Wales in October 2008.