I really enjoyed listening to this guy. It always seems like the really seriously accomplished pilots are the most down to earth. They don’t have to bullshit anyone. Their reputation and career speaks for itself.
As a former test pilot (helicopter) I enjoyed the interview: we have a lot in common, including music and motorbikes, except one thing: I really hate running! All the best to Dave
Funny. I myself was at the US Marine's Camp Dwyer, near Leatherneck and a bit south of Bastion, right before the RA handed Bastion over to the Marines. We had a couple of Brit nurses and such with us, and occasionally got medevac pt's from the RA (they used the big Chinooks...very dusty). I don't remember any Ospreys though, they must've been pretty new in theater..
What a lovely ,sincere and gracious pilot. A complete pleasure to listen to. A certain Jaguar pilot and Harrier GR3 pilot could learn a lot from his perfect social skills. But then again…you have to deal with all types don’t you Mike. Fantastic channel mate.
That was Great! Thank You Both 👍 Btw I also appreciated hearing what he thinks of the F-15 especially given his resumé.. Hell I would have forgotten all else and focused on asking about that like I had target fixation lmao
Great interview! You can surely see that Dave is in a teaching role as well. Wonderful to not only hear war-stories, but also hear the general principles behind being a test pilot. Having the communication skills to win an argument with the designers and managers why a system needs to be changed.
Dave Best mentioned Frank Chapman who went on to Airbus. I wondered if that was actually Peter Chapman who went on to become Chief Test at Airbus. My memory could be playing me false though. In any case a fascinating interview, so thank you both for doing it and publishing it. I had the great privilege of flying with Peter Chapman in the airline world.
A Tornado F3 was never designed to be a close up fighter, Its role was to intercept Russian bombers coming down from the north. Additionally it was designed to loiter for a period of time while on task, with support of a tanker aircraft. By engaging Russian bombers it didn't need to be manoeuvrable like an F16 etc, as it would engage the Russian bombers with long range missiles BVR.
Thank-you - but at 27:44 I would have loved a follow-up question, such as 'what specific issues?' to elucidate what sorts attributes make for the most dreadful of aircraft; as it is, we're guessing: low power/performance?, dangerous flying qualities?, difficulty due to exertions required to operate the controls? uncomfortable or pororly arranged cockpit?.....
Mike I wish you had more time to get more insights on the specific characteristics (comparison wise) of those different planes Mr Best flew. Any plans for a follow up?
What a fantastic interview with an incredible guy. His first statement about being bored as a fighter pilot didn't surprise me at all. I was able to visit the crew room of 6 squadron Royal Australian Air Force at Amberley in Queensland. There was a young F-111 pilot who said the same thing and had successfully applied to be an flight instructor on CT-4's at the RAAF's basic flying training school. I wouldn't have believed a pilot would want to swap a seat in an F-111 for a single engine light aircraft. I actually live in Caboolture, Queensland just north of Brisbane where I believe the Boomerang (possibly two) were built. Apparently, it was designed and built in a period of nine months; which may account for it's 'attributes'. I've seen it fly several times and it makes a really loud whistling sound.
I don't usually like the British, they're arrogant but, I like this guy. He explains very clearly the how/why aircraft & systems are tested, something that, unless you're familiar with what a test pilot does & how, is fascinating to learn. His comment about the F-15 being/feeling/reminding him of the F-4 Phantom was unexpected. The F-4 to me is the pinnacle of what a beautiful jet is supposed to be, only equalled by the sheer hypnotic beauty of the F-104 Starfighter. You might have different ideas but those two are my favorites especially for the physical beauty of each design. The F-16 & Mig-21 are tied for 3rd place along with the Mirage-III. Prop planes; the P-38, P-47N, F4U, Fw-190 Hurricane, A6M Zero and the Mig3 along with the Yak9
Fascinating interview. There are different types of test pilot though aren't there? Operational test pilots who may test fly a new aircraft a company or air force might be taking delivery of, or test flying a new piece of equipment for example. Then there are developmental test pilots who may be with a new program from the beginning, such as Typhoon when it was being developed. Do all of them come through the ETPS?
In the RUclips comments, you read a lot of hate towards Russian aircraft. It's interesting & eye opening, to hear his glowing praise for the Flanker & It's design philosophy!! BTW, a US Navy pilot said that he loved flying the F-16 as it's an aerial hot rod!! ⚓
I'd heard on the grapevine it was the Brits who got the first seat time and wrote the first reports on the Flanker. After 20 years, I finally hear how. Thanks alot Gentlemen.
Wonderful interview, thank you (both) for doing it. and publishing it. Just one query - perhaps my memory is playing me false - Dave mentioned Frank Chapman, with Airbus. I wonder if that was actually Peter Chapman.? Or different guy perhaps. The Peter Chapman I had the privilege of flying with - briefly- in the airline world before he went to Airbus. At one time I think he was Head Tutor at ETPS
Actually, I found that doing 'flight tests' with test pilots from Edwards to be tedious, monotonous and repetitive work. 'OK, guys, today we are going to go out to the range and measure the flex and stress on the wing and external fuel tank. We will be doing a series of aileron 'wraps', probably several hundred. The flight is scheduled for three hours and it will take several weeks to analyze the data we will be measuring. As far as a much more interesting and exciting type of flying, I found the pilots in 'weapons test' to have a lot more fun, shooting missiles, guns, dropping ordnance, etc..
Are we ever going to get to see a typhoon sticker for the store? I love the thing but it’s one of the few British fighters you don’t have a sticker for!
amazing how we are always told how bad Soviet aircraft are, yet ever professional from the west who has flow them are left with a healthy respect for their capabilities.
Read what Phil Frawley said about the MiG-21. He was an Australian Mirage pilot and he really liked the MiG. He only retired a couple of years ago, as the world’s oldest fighter pilot.
Was the word as from the builders that they had to build a virtually foolproof machine down to lack of hours actually 'on' by crews to be a light slight or statement of fact ¿?
@@suzyqualcast6269 I really think it makes sense. Why waste all that time training pilots on how to manage the shortcomings and vices of the plane and engines, when you can just fix them and let the fighter pilots focus on air combat.
@@mnztr1 They dont really have a choice. The budget issues only allow an average RuAF pilot to fly 80-120 hrs a year. While westwern pilots usually fly on average several times more. Thats why we often see RuAF pilots dedicated to one tasl only (e.g. A2A only with limites A2G capability).
When can you interview some of the former RAF F-22 or RAAF F-22 exchange pilots? Or the lone B-2 RAF exchange pilot? I know one of the RAF F-22 pilots is in industry now and popped up on a RUclips video.
My little Red Heeler bitch has about 600 hrs., loves to fly but I reckon it's because she can occasionally mooch food off our passengers. Was only ever airsick once when she was a pup, after 3 hours in moderate turbulence on a hot day.
Seems a shame he never got to fly any current state of the art planes like F22 or F35 even in a simulator. Britain has F35s and perhaps he'd get a chance in an F22 once they're decommissioned. Of course by that time F22 won't be state of the art anymore. I've yet to hear even one pilot who has flown either of them who didn't love it.
Tornado should never have been born. I think it would have been interesting if the UK and Germany had spent the money to upgrade their F-4s with new motors, new cockpits, DFLCS, new Radars, reduced weight, more composites, more internal fuel.
Thank you to our sponsor ferryalesbrewery.co.uk/ Head to their website to check out their amazing beers and get 5% off with discount code Aircrew225
This is one of the best interviews you’ve ever done. What a career!
Cheers, Matt!
i've been literally dying to hear from a pilot who flew the Flanker. This video is a fucking gold mine.
Great to hear you enjoyed it.
@@Aircrewinterview I adored it. Im still adoring it. For the 12th time.
What a great guy, down to earth and such a varied flying career. Thanks Mike and Dave.
Thanks Kevin.
I really enjoyed listening to this guy.
It always seems like the really seriously accomplished pilots are the most down to earth.
They don’t have to bullshit anyone.
Their reputation and career speaks for itself.
For someone who's test-driven so many top-flight aircraft, what stands out is his humility. Terrific interview with a wonderful bloke.
What a career, and still a ton of enthusiasm for for all things aviation after so many years.
As a former test pilot (helicopter) I enjoyed the interview: we have a lot in common, including music and motorbikes, except one thing: I really hate running! All the best to Dave
I did my UPRT with Dave. An excellent pilot with a vast amount of knowledge.
Amazing interview. A bit like someone who’s played in the rugby World Cup, FA cup, Wimbledon, super bowl etc. What a career!
Thanks Jonathan
What an aviator, must of been one of the very best anywhere in his prime. Great work as usual
Thanks Albert.
Good lord that's a lot of varied flying experience! Very interesting interview.
Cheers David.
“And, and, and… But I prefer to be in an F16 if I’m perfectly honest!” 😆👌 Loved that remark! 👍👏👏👏
Everyone has their own opinion that's what makes us unique, I prefer my Toyota Aygo to the Volkswagen up.
What an interview, always loved jets from a young age and fast bikes, an impressive career and still enthusiastic in retirement
Thanks James.
Brilliant interview. I love Dave's understated comment about running air ops in Afghan - "It had been quite a difficult year"
Thanks Mike. Dave was an cracking guest.
Funny. I myself was at the US Marine's Camp Dwyer, near Leatherneck and a bit south of Bastion, right before the RA handed Bastion over to the Marines. We had a couple of Brit nurses and such with us, and occasionally got medevac pt's from the RA (they used the big Chinooks...very dusty). I don't remember any Ospreys though, they must've been pretty new in theater..
18:21 the Flanker part
great review from a very good pilot
Fantastic interview! Loved the bits about the Flanker and Boomerang (would like to hear more on the latter).
You need to get him back.
What a lovely ,sincere and gracious pilot. A complete pleasure to listen to. A certain Jaguar pilot and Harrier GR3 pilot could learn a lot from his perfect social skills. But then again…you have to deal with all types don’t you Mike.
Fantastic channel mate.
What a nice bloke. Sharp as a knife !
That was Great! Thank You Both 👍
Btw I also appreciated hearing what he thinks of the F-15 especially given his resumé.. Hell I would have forgotten all else and focused on asking about that like I had target fixation lmao
Thanks Shannon. Great to hear you enjoyed the interview.
Still one of my favorite fighters. Introduced same year I was born. Super agile for such a large airframe
Such an experienced pilot, amazing.
That guy was very intelligent and quit easy to listen to thank you.
Mr Best is very easy to listen to. An enjoyable and interesting interview. Thanks to him, and thanks again to you Mike. Quality content indeed.
Thanks Ian.
Great interview! You can surely see that Dave is in a teaching role as well. Wonderful to not only hear war-stories, but also hear the general principles behind being a test pilot. Having the communication skills to win an argument with the designers and managers why a system needs to be changed.
Cheers Theo. Glad you enjoyed it
Dave Best mentioned Frank Chapman who went on to Airbus. I wondered if that was actually Peter Chapman who went on to become Chief Test at Airbus. My memory could be playing me false though. In any case a fascinating interview, so thank you both for doing it and publishing it. I had the great privilege of flying with Peter Chapman in the airline world.
I'd love to hear more stories from Dave's flying career. He should write a book!
He should indeed.
A Fighter Pilot who knows his Job . ! Inside out . !
Another masterpiece
Excellent interview! Love his insight on what a test pilot actually does everyday
Cheers
Great your capturing the experiences of these guys - it's really important.
Wonderful interviews with Dave Best. Much appreciated!
Glad you enjoyed it.
A Tornado F3 was never designed to be a close up fighter, Its role was to intercept Russian bombers coming down from the north. Additionally it was designed to loiter for a period of time while on task, with support of a tanker aircraft. By engaging Russian bombers it didn't need to be manoeuvrable like an F16 etc, as it would engage the Russian bombers with long range missiles BVR.
I met Jim Lovell at 94 on his way to a yoga class and asked him if he's living up to his test pilot nickname, he chuckled.
God such a GREAT interview, outstanding from start to finish, thanks for posting; EXCELLENT!
Cheers Christian!
Thanks Mike for making such a great interview and thanks to Dave for some great stories from his brilliant career 👍
Cheers Nige.
Is the nose art on that Tonka still painted in Tamiya’s model paint?
Great interview - Dave's a good guy
Thoroughly enjoyed this interview. Thanks so much for this. If Dave Best was to write an autobiography, I would definetely read it.
Another brilliant interview!! Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank-you - but at 27:44 I would have loved a follow-up question, such as 'what specific issues?' to elucidate what sorts attributes make for the most dreadful of aircraft; as it is, we're guessing: low power/performance?, dangerous flying qualities?, difficulty due to exertions required to operate the controls? uncomfortable or pororly arranged cockpit?.....
If you sign up to Patreon on our Fox 2/3 level you get to put your questions in ;) www.patreon.com/aircrewinterview
Agree with Dave, the Hawk is a sweet machine!
Notice How controlled he is about his Job. ?? { Body Language } That's his Expert Speciality !!
Love this guy. Awesome bloke.
What a lovely chap!
Great interview, very impressive guy all round.
Cheers Dave.
Extraordinary fellow. Great interview and video.
Cheers
Brilliant interview.
Sure woulda been nice to hear what he thought of the F-14 Tomcat in greater detail. And if he had flown any other WWII types. Even WWI types.
Mike I wish you had more time to get more insights on the specific characteristics (comparison wise) of those different planes Mr Best flew. Any plans for a follow up?
It’s certainly a possibility next year.
What a fantastic interview with an incredible guy.
His first statement about being bored as a fighter pilot didn't surprise me at all. I was able to visit the crew room of 6 squadron Royal Australian Air Force at Amberley in Queensland. There was a young F-111 pilot who said the same thing and had successfully applied to be an flight instructor on CT-4's at the RAAF's basic flying training school. I wouldn't have believed a pilot would want to swap a seat in an F-111 for a single engine light aircraft.
I actually live in Caboolture, Queensland just north of Brisbane where I believe the Boomerang (possibly two) were built. Apparently, it was designed and built in a period of nine months; which may account for it's 'attributes'. I've seen it fly several times and it makes a really loud whistling sound.
Yeah I was shocked tbh.
We need parts 3, 4 etc. here!!!😄
I could of chatted to him all day.
Lovely interview. What a fantastic career.
Thanks Bill.
Great interview. So many good stories.
Cheers
A fantastic interview Mike!
Cheers Eric.
Fantastic interview. Really interesting to hear an evaluation of the Flanker from Dave Best.
Cheers
The shows the importance of The Write Stuff as a test pilot.
He's certainly lived up to his sirname!
I don't usually like the British, they're arrogant but, I like this guy. He explains very clearly the how/why aircraft & systems are tested, something that, unless you're familiar with what a test pilot does & how, is fascinating to learn. His comment about the F-15 being/feeling/reminding him of the F-4 Phantom was unexpected. The F-4 to me is the pinnacle of what a beautiful jet is supposed to be, only equalled by the sheer hypnotic beauty of the F-104 Starfighter. You might have different ideas but those two are my favorites especially for the physical beauty of each design. The F-16 & Mig-21 are tied for 3rd place along with the Mirage-III. Prop planes; the P-38, P-47N, F4U, Fw-190 Hurricane, A6M Zero and the Mig3 along with the Yak9
You need to meet more of us mate, then your "arrogant" tag might go away.
Awesome interview. I like that man. Pretty cool and down to earth.
Thanks.
Great interview and what a flying career
Thanks mate.
Really enjoyed this one Mike 👍
Cheers.
Love it ! Thanks for your work ! :)
Glad you enjoy it!
Brilliant interview, Dave Best is Ace Rimmer
Cheers.
Amazing interview!
Thank you!
8:52 Inside Out he knows !!
Very cool I love these interviews!
We will be watching…. Lol
Thank you!
Such a cool man.
Sure is.
Fascinating interview. There are different types of test pilot though aren't there? Operational test pilots who may test fly a new aircraft a company or air force might be taking delivery of, or test flying a new piece of equipment for example. Then there are developmental test pilots who may be with a new program from the beginning, such as Typhoon when it was being developed. Do all of them come through the ETPS?
Very nice interview! 👍
Thank you.
Marines doing their own thing!! Hahaha awesome
In the RUclips comments, you read a lot of hate towards Russian aircraft. It's interesting & eye opening, to hear his glowing praise for the Flanker & It's design philosophy!! BTW, a US Navy pilot said that he loved flying the F-16 as it's an aerial hot rod!! ⚓
I'd heard on the grapevine it was the Brits who got the first seat time and wrote the first reports on the Flanker. After 20 years, I finally hear how.
Thanks alot Gentlemen.
Great people.
18:09 Go to India ,Test fly Tejas , Give us feed back !!
What an interesting guy.
Wonderful interview, thank you (both) for doing it. and publishing it. Just one query - perhaps my memory is playing me false - Dave mentioned Frank Chapman, with Airbus. I wonder if that was actually Peter Chapman.? Or different guy perhaps. The Peter Chapman I had the privilege of flying with - briefly- in the airline world before he went to Airbus. At one time I think he was Head Tutor at ETPS
I've bad memories over that boomerang..... i try to forget them but they keep coming back.......... I'll get my coat
Marines doing there own thing!! Hahaha
Actually, I found that doing 'flight tests' with test pilots from Edwards to be tedious, monotonous and repetitive work. 'OK, guys, today we are going to go out to the range and measure the flex and stress on the wing and external fuel tank. We will be doing a series of aileron 'wraps', probably several hundred. The flight is scheduled for three hours and it will take several weeks to analyze the data we will be measuring. As far as a much more interesting and exciting type of flying, I found the pilots in 'weapons test' to have a lot more fun, shooting missiles, guns, dropping ordnance, etc..
Are we ever going to get to see a typhoon sticker for the store? I love the thing but it’s one of the few British fighters you don’t have a sticker for!
We have a few Typhoon designs so you should be able to order some, Daniel.
Inspiring
amazing how we are always told how bad Soviet aircraft are, yet ever professional from the west who has flow them are left with a healthy respect for their capabilities.
Read what Phil Frawley said about the MiG-21. He was an Australian Mirage pilot and he really liked the MiG. He only retired a couple of years ago, as the world’s oldest fighter pilot.
Was the word as from the builders that they had to build a virtually foolproof machine down to lack of hours actually 'on' by crews to be a light slight or statement of fact ¿?
@@suzyqualcast6269 I really think it makes sense. Why waste all that time training pilots on how to manage the shortcomings and vices of the plane and engines, when you can just fix them and let the fighter pilots focus on air combat.
@@mnztr1 They dont really have a choice. The budget issues only allow an average RuAF pilot to fly 80-120 hrs a year. While westwern pilots usually fly on average several times more. Thats why we often see RuAF pilots dedicated to one tasl only (e.g. A2A only with limites A2G capability).
Great interview! Love the content 👌
Thanks very much.
When can you interview some of the former RAF F-22 or RAAF F-22 exchange pilots? Or the lone B-2 RAF exchange pilot? I know one of the RAF F-22 pilots is in industry now and popped up on a RUclips video.
Does Dave know when the picture of the ADV at 17:18 was taken? My old mate Paul Cambray is in it (fourth from left) is in it and he can't remember.
Plenty folk have flown on E'z.
(scuse me).
You should hear his story of recovering a cello from a flat spin...
A Cello???? A passenger jet?!
Oh... shouldve listened to the end! 😅 N.B. There is a Commercial Air Liner called the Cello.
He didn't like the boomerang :(
My little Red Heeler bitch has about 600 hrs., loves to fly but I reckon it's because she can occasionally mooch food off our passengers.
Was only ever airsick once when she was a pup, after 3 hours in moderate turbulence on a hot day.
Seems a shame he never got to fly any current state of the art planes like F22 or F35 even in a simulator. Britain has F35s and perhaps he'd get a chance in an F22 once they're decommissioned. Of course by that time F22 won't be state of the art anymore. I've yet to hear even one pilot who has flown either of them who didn't love it.
You can see the guy has never been shot at in any serious way.
Does that make you a good test pilot?
Odd comment. And completely wrong.
did you hear that elon? this guys using a dead dogs twitter account.
Aussie Baggaussie CRAP! 😛
Tornado should never have been born. I think it would have been interesting if the UK and Germany had spent the money to upgrade their F-4s with new motors, new cockpits, DFLCS, new Radars, reduced weight, more composites, more internal fuel.
Sounds like a new aeroplane.. :-D
We should have bought the F15 instead.
@@stanleybuchan4610 That would have been another excellent move for the RAF, with a split between Fighter/Interceptor and strike variants.
20:00 so, they exploited Russians. Friendship.