Ancient Aviator Anecdote EXAMINER ETHICS In the early 1960s our air force upgraded the appointments of Squadron and Flight Commander, in single-engined combat squadrons, to the rank of Wing Commander and Squadron Leader respectively. I was posted to a Hunter squadron as the senior Flight Commander and a Wing Commander, with a formidable professional reputation, arrived from the Aircrew Examining Board (AEB) to take over command. He was the younger of two brothers, both in the Flying Branch of the IAF; by a co-incidence I had earlier served under the elder brother’s command as a Flying Officer in one of the first Toofani (Ouragan) squadrons. Traditionally the Commanding Officer in a squadron is known as the ‘Boss’ and our new Boss soon stamped his personality on the unit. We also found out that his bark was much worse than his bite; I personally learnt a great deal from him and we worked as a team. One of the first tasks he set me was to ensure that all our fully operational pilots were instrument rated. Instrument Rating (IR) determines the weather conditions in which a pilot can fly and had three categories ranging from ‘White’ (Initial), ‘Green’ (Experienced) to ‘Master Green’ (Highest) and required to be renewed annually by a flying test to ensure skills and a ground subjects one to establish relevant knowledge. This test had to be conducted by a Type Examiner. Since my own MG IR was coming up for renewal, I programmed our Boss to carry out the test next day. When he saw the Flying Programme the Boss called me to his office and said that he preferred not to do my test. I must have looked puzzled so he explained that, since I worked directly under him, he felt morally constrained not to be my examiner. He added that he had absolutely no doubts about my instrument flying capability but he would arrange some other examiner to come and do my test. Accordingly a young Flight Lieutenant examiner from AEB arrived and stated that though he was qualified on Hunter aircraft, he was not current and needed to be checked out himself before he could captain a Hunter aircraft. Being the only trainer captain QFI available that day, I carried out his check flight. After refueling and briefing, he conducted my test meticulously both in the air and on the ground after which he renewed my card. Some time later our Boss moved on promotion as a Station Commander and I had meanwhile qualified as an IRI / Type Examiner. I knew that the expiry date of our ex – Boss’ IR was close to R – Day and very soon he called me up to say that, since I was no longer under his command, could I possibly fly our trainer across and carry out his test? At that point of time I was under a great work load as I was acting as the CO and also leading a Hunter box in the R – Day flypast. He must have spoken to the SASO as I was told by HQ WAC to make a quick trip, do his test, and get back as soon as possible. On arrival I had to turn down his request for a practice sortie due to pressure of time; as expected, he flew an immaculate test sortie. Over a cup of tea at the dispersal while the aircraft was being refueled, I threw him a couple of questions to assuage my conscience on the ground subjects part of the test! Having signed his IR card, he asked me to stay and have lunch. I simply did not have the time but could not resist a (mischievous) response: ‘Sir, your whole station knows you are my ex – Boss and if you give me lunch just after I have done your test, it wouldn’t look right … but give me a rain cheque!’. He burst out laughing, gave me a playful punch and said ‘Given’. Many years later, after retiring in air rank and migrating to the UK, my ex – Boss settled in Oxford and continued flying as an instructor with the Kidlington Flying Club. As I was in the UK attending a course, he and his wife drove down to London and took my wife and self out to Dinner. When I thanked him for a truly splendid and enjoyable evening all he said with a smile was that I had only encashed my rain cheque! Incidentally I might add that the ‘young Flight Lieutenant from AEB’ retired as an Air Marshal and even now in his eighth decade, continues to keep in touch with this ancient aviator. June 2014 Cecil Parker The author is a retired air vice marshal of the IAF and a freelance writer who can be contacted at shirleygloria70@yahoo
Posted on: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 14:44:28 +0000