The 2018 Typhoon Display Team
The Typhoon display circuit is a culmination of months of hard work, detailed preparation and concerted effort by the team behind the display. Whilst it is the pilot who displays the aircraft, he cannot even begin to do his job without the unfaltering commitment and backing of the dedicated group of professionals that make up the Typhoon Display Team.
This year’s team, from 29 Squadron will comprise a specialist from every aircraft trade along with support and management teams to assist both the pilot and the trades, all of whom work closely together to bring you the dazzling spectacle that is the Typhoon Display.
The team look forward to the unique challenges that a display season brings and the opportunity to showcase the Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft to the general public.
2018 is the Centenary year of the Royal Air Force and will add an extra dimension to the display season as part of RAF100; celebrating our proud history, commemorating the event and inspiring future generations with a mind blowing display of speed, power and agility by Flt Lt Jim Peterson and his Typhoon aircraft.
The Pilot
Flight Lieutenant Jim Peterson
Following flying training, Jim was role-disposed to the Tornado GR4 in 2003. Jim crossed over to the Typhoon in 2006 and took up a position as a ground school and simulator instructor pilot in the Typhoon Training Facility at RAF Coningsby. Jim was posted to XI(F) Sqn in 2009 where he conducted Quick Reaction Alert duties in the UK and Falkland Islands and also flew on operations over Libya.
In 2015, Jim joined 29 Squadron where he is an ‘A2’ Qualified Flying Instructor. Outside of display flying he plays an active role on 29 Squadron teaching student pilots electronic warfare and how to operate Typhoon. In addition to his instructional duties, Jim also contributes to RAF Coningsby’s primary task of defending UK sovereign airspace on Quick Reaction Alert.
Ahead of this year’s display season, which will see Typhoon take to the skies at airshows across the UK and abroad, Jim considers it to be a ‘great honour’ to be able to display the aircraft in what is a milestone year - the Royal Air Force’s Centenary celebrations
Jim designed the display himself to show off the Typhoon’s immense power and acceleration and ensure that the display team’s catchphrase of #BringTheNoise is as appropriate as ever.
Engineering
The Engineering Team
The display team consists of specialists in Mechanical Engineering, Avionics and Weapons Systems. These are the technicians you will see working directly on the aircraft at Air Shows.
The Engineering Team is split into three teams, each named after an aircraft type previously flown by 29(R) Squadron. The teams consist of five technicians, led by a SNCO and contain each of the three aircraft trades which means they are able to prepare the aircraft ready for each display.
The teams are made up of Engineers from 29 Squadron at RAF Coningsby, who are all volunteers and join the team in addition to their normal squadron duties. Volunteers go through a selection process which ensures that each team have the required engineering authorisations to be able to operate the aircraft from a different location during the season. They are very experienced with the right mix of trade skills to work in these small teams - with specialist skills such as Engine & Structural Health Monitoring to ensure any issues with the Typhoon are swiftly rectified. They will be working long and hard to ensure the Typhoon Display Team #BringTheNoise.
Team Phantom
Team Phantom is led by Sgt Danny Lane, ably assisted by Cpl Polly McKinlay, Cpl Max Baynes, Cpl Matthew Wainwright, SAC(T) Oliver Jones and SAC(T) Luke Hewitt.
Team Lightning
Team Lightning is led by Sgt David Price, ably assisted by Cpl Martin Sherwin, SAC(T) Kane Launder, SAC(T) Christopher Kendall and SAC(T) Lauren Lewis-Coombes.
Team Mosquito
Team Mosquito is led by Sgt Lauren Hardisty, ably assisted by Cpl Simon Edwards, Cpl Mike Bevan, SAC(T) Mikhael Trokis and Cpl Andrew Wheatley.
Engineering Officers
The Team Engineering Officers from left to right are FS Daz Thomson, Flt Lt John Lillington, FS Phil Bedson, WO Jon Hooper, FS Anthony Wilson, HPTM Mario Sueshardt and FS Stuart Partington.
Public Relations
The PR Team are volunteers from 29 Squadron and personnel across RAF Coningsby led by PR Manager Sergeant Glenn Evans.
This is Glenn’s 3rd year on the team and his job is to manage PR personnel at all the events the Typhoon displays at; a job which goes well beyond just the Air Show season! Glenn is assisted by Digital Media Manager Cpl Nick Jarrett to keep you all constantly updated across all of our media platforms. This is also Nick’s 3rd year on the team after starting on the Engineering Team in 2016.
Glenn’s team includes personnel from across a wide range of ranks and trades including Aircraft Technicians, RAF Police, Suppliers, Survival Equipment Fitters, an MT Driver and a Chef. The process aims to select those with experience from previous years on the PR team along with the introduction a number of fresh faces, to provide a widespread variety of trades, rank and service experience to give a balanced team to carry out their duties.
The team in full are: FS Daz Martin (A Eng Tech), FS Stu Partington (A Eng Tech), CT Matt Dilks (A Tech M), Sgt Glenn Evans (A Tech M), Sgt Chaz Merrell (A Tech AV), Sgt Mick Maw (A Tech M), Sgt Neil Frost (A Tech M), Cpl Jonny Bayliss (A Tech AV), Cpl Brian Crabb (Survival Equipment), Cpl Rachel Free (RAF Police), Cpl Andy Goodwin (A Tech M), Cpl Andy Kubat (Chef), Cpl Nick Jarrett (A Tech AV), Cpl Stacey Musgrove (RAF Police), Cpl Rob Stark (C4I), Cpl Gaz Ward (MSF), SAC Zoe Bell (Supplier), SAC Lucy Chambers (Ops), SAC Reece Harrison (Supplier), SAC Sean Hopkins (Supplier), SAC Lee Hoskins (Supplier), SAC Chris Ireland (Ops), SAC Emily Luker (Supplier), SAC Justin Marshall (MT), SAC Chris Wood (Survival Equipment).
These are the people you will see out working hard to promote the Typhoon Display Team and the Royal Air Force at Air Shows across the UK & Europe in 2018.
Ground Support System
Information Communication Technology (ICT) Technicians play a pivotal role in setting up, operating, and maintaining the vital Ground Support System (GSS) essential for continued maintenance of the Typhoon aircraft away from its main operating base. This is achieved by empowering Mechanical, Avionic and Weapons trades with the ICT capability to diagnose the critical engineering data produced by the aircraft's advanced computer systems.
The team in full are: Cpl Adam Scott, SAC(T) Dean Wiltshire, Cpl Daniel Kinnear, SAC Jason Merchant, Cpl Andy Thomson and SAC Helen Colbridge
The GSS Team may not always be seen at Air Shows but without their expertise, Flt Lt Peterson, the Typhoon aircraft and the team would simply not be able to operate across the UK & Europe in 2018. They are the unsung heroes of the team.
