Trials and Errors ― Experimental UK Test Flying in the 1970s

Following his success as a Cold War Canberra pilot, Mike Brooke was dispatched to become a flying instructor at the Central Flying School in the 1970s. After this interesting career spell, he moved on to undertake the demanding training regime at the UK’s Empire Test Pilots’ School in order for him to become a fully qualified experimental test pilot. This book follows his personal journey, with its many trials and errors, during five years of experimental test flying, during which he flew a wide variety of aircraft used for a huge diversity of research and development tests. Then Mike returned to ETPS to teach pilots from all over the world to become test pilots. Following on from his previous books, he continues to use his personal experiences to reveal insights into trials of the times, successes, and failures, and will prove fascinating reading for any aviation enthusiast.

Mike Brooke joined the RAF in 1962. After serving on the low-level strike/attack squadron, Brooke became a flying instructor and experimental test pilot. Further test flying tours followed, but in 1984, after 22 years in flying appointments, he was sent to the RAF Advanced Staff College. He was promoted to Wing Commander and took command of flying at RAF Farnborough, leaving the RAF in 1994. Brooke then became a test-flying consultant, finally retiring in 2004. In 1984, he was awarded the Air Force Cross by HM Queen Elizabeth. He is the author of A Bucket of Sunshine andFollow Me Through.