Fast jet student joins staff at 727 NAS

A new Staff Pilot has been keenly welcomed by Lieutenant Commander Glenn Allison, Commanding Officer of 727 Naval Air Squadron, at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton.

Lieutenant Daley Simpson has been assigned to the Squadron after a period of Refresher Training on the Grob Tutor, to maintain currency in fixed wing flying techniques, prior to joining the next phase of his fast jet training on the Hawk T2 at RAF Valley, on Anglesey, Wales.

His role with the Squadron is to provide Air Experience Flying to University Royal Navy Unit cadets, potential officers and serving members of the Royal Navy, such as trainee Air Traffic Controllers and Air Engineers.

Lt Simpson joined the Royal Navy in 2008 at the age of 23 and after Officer Training at Dartmouth he completed Flying Grading on 727 NAS, and Elementary Flying Training on 703 NAS, at Barkston Heath in Lincolnshire, before gaining his wings on the Tucano T1 aircraft at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire.

On completion of his Advanced Fast Jet Training at RAF Valley, Lt Simpson is destined for the Untied States of America where he will gain frontline experience on the United States Navy’s F18 Super Hornet. The exchange with the US Navy will prepare him, as well as a number of other Royal Navy pilots, for the Navy's next generation Carriers based fighter, the F-35C Lightning II, and operations on HMS Queen Elizabeth when it comes into service.

The F-35 Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multi-role fighter under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defence missions with stealth capability.

The F35 Lightning II will provide the ultimate punch of the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.