By Francesco Militello Mirto – EmmeReports
Today more than ever, the daily commitment of Typhoon pilots is essential to ensure the security of national airspace in a complex military scenario. Their work goes beyond flying: constant training, tactical exercises, and strategic operations guarantee readiness and responsiveness. Nine years ago, on October 13th, 2016, we had the opportunity to board an F‑2000A Typhoon and take part in a training mission with the 4th Wing, thanks to the support of the Italian Air Force.
The mission I was about to fly was a lead-pair 2Vs4 training mission: two Blue Typhoons against four Red ones. This mission had already been planned by the IX Flying Squadron to train a pilot in the actions required to lead a pair of Typhoons in a high-stress scenario (four aircraft simulating the enemy — the Reds — against two playing the role of the Blues). By the end of the flight, all the planned training objectives would be achieved.
Activities began about three hours before the scheduled takeoff at 14:10 Zulu (16:10 local time). The crews involved meticulously planned the mission: roles, scenario, simulated threats, and tactical aspects. Shortly before reaching the aircraft, the mission briefing was conducted by the formation leader. After the flight, as per standard procedure, a debriefing would take place to analyze execution errors and lessons identified, using the ACMI pods and aircraft recordings. Once the briefing was completed, we proceeded to the Equipment Room of the IX Squadron to don all the flight gear. The anti-g suit used on the Typhoon is different and more advanced than those of other Italian Air Force aircraft. I put on the anti-g trousers, the survival vest with inflatable bladders, and then the helmet — also equipped with inflatable neck support and positive pressure breathing through the mask — essential to counter the strong g-forces generated by the aircraft.
As a passenger, I had to be capable of performing a rapid egress in case of emergency. The flight personnel therefore provided me with a detailed briefing on emergency procedures and on the features of the rear cockpit of the TF-2000. Fully equipped, we were escorted to the shelter, where our Typhoon was waiting. I climbed aboard and was immediately impressed by how comfortable and well-arranged the TF-2000 cockpit was. I put on the helmet and, with the help of the Crew Chief, strapped myself into the Martin Baker Mk.16A ejection seat: four-point harness, arm restraints, connection of oxygen and anti-g hoses, and radio plug. I adjusted the intercom and radio volumes, then removed the ejection handle safety pin, placing it in the proper slot on the right console.
Meanwhile, our pilot — a highly experienced Typhoon Driver — was carrying out the pre-flight checks. After activating the fuel pumps, he started the APU to spool up the engines and feed oxygen to our masks. Once both engines were running, we tested the anti-g system by pressing the button on the left side of the seat, inflating the bladders to verify proper function. With all safety pins removed from the aircraft, we were ready to leave the shelter. During taxi to the runway threshold, we armed the ejection seat. A second Typhoon joined us for a formation takeoff.
Takeoff is always a critical moment. Everything happens in seconds, and the pilot must have nerves of steel. Aligned on the runway and cleared for takeoff, throttles were advanced to max dry (maximum power without afterburner) and brakes released. Engine performance was checked via the engine format, and speed was rapidly increasing. Just before V1, the pilot gently pulled back on the stick — and within a couple of seconds, we were airborne. In 15–20 seconds, the landing gear was retracted, and we were climbing.
Weather conditions were far from ideal: a thick cloud layer forced us to climb up to Flight Level 450 to get above it. In just moments, an incredible view opened up — clear blue sky above, a sea of clouds below. I quickly took a few photos, about ten in total, before the training activity began. It is important to note that the mission was not arranged for photographic purposes: the images were taken during a normal pre-planned IX Squadron Air Combat Training Mission.
Upon reaching the operational area, the Blue vs Red exercise began. Our TF-2000 was part of the Red team — the adversary — and, like the other three aircraft, our goal was to avoid being intercepted by the two Blues. What followed was a thrilling sequence of air combat maneuvers and radar intercepts.
After about an hour and a half of flight, it was time to return to Grosseto. Landing, like takeoff, is a delicate phase. Due to weather conditions, we couldn’t perform a standard circuit, so we executed a straight-in approach, a long final.
Upon touchdown, throttles were brought back to idle, and, had the wind conditions allowed, an aerobrake would have been performed. Once the nosewheel was down, braking was applied to bring the aircraft below 25 knots, allowing us to taxi back to parking.
The mission lasted a total of one hour and thirty minutes. Flying on the Typhoon was an experience I will never forget — a fighter with exceptional performance, and Italian pilots truly among the best in the world.
By Francesco Militello Mirto – EmmeReports