AFB Makhado "Fights on function"

The completion of the conversion training of the initial cadre of Hawk pilots was marked by a dinner at AFB Makhado on 8 December 2005. During this event, BAe System’s test pilot, Mr Gordon McClymont, presented the OC 85 Combat FS, Lt Col Daan van der Linde, with an oil painting of the RSA Hawk Mk120 LIFT involved in an air combat sortie. The title of the painting is “Fight’s On”, the brevity code that fighter pilots use during air combat training to indicate the commitment to start the air combat manoeuvring.

This ceremony symbolised the completion of two and a half months of intensive flying by the six pilots, five instructors and a Maintenance Test Pilot who completed the 120 hour flying phase safely and successfully – the role of the Maintenance Test Pilot will be to drive the Operational Test & Evaluation phase of Hawk in SAAF Service.

The completion of the conversion course signaled the commencement of the next phase of Hawk acceptance which is scheduled to start in January. Also starting in January will be the “On-the-Job-Training” of 85 Combat FS technicians to maintain and service the aircraft. This next phase will involve the verification of the Hawk Conversion Syllabus and the start of the Operational Test & Evaluation phase. By July 2006, with the syllabi verification completed, the air and surface warfare phases will commence with the aim of enabling the first Operational Conversion Course of nine students to commence in February 2007.
“Fights On”