An opportunity to fly with his son was too good to miss for Ascent BFT Qualified Flying Instructor Andy Lewis, who is based at RAF Valley. Here he shares his ‘once in a lifetime experience’.
As a former RAF pilot, I’ve been fortunate to experience many special moments during my career, but none have compared to the privilege of flying with my son, James. I retired from the RAF in 2012 and moved into the health sector so taking my son flying around the Mach Loop was something I never imagined would happen.
Until recently, I hadn’t flown since my last sortie on the Harrier GR9 in 2008. But when James joined the RAF in 2018, to train as a fighter pilot, I was drawn back to flying by proxy. So, when the opportunity arose to return to flying as a QFI at RAF Valley, the choice was an easy one. Perhaps even easier as a proud Welshman from Bangor returning to live in a beautiful part of the UK.
James has always been a quietly determined young man forming his own career pathway. It’s been a joy to witness his journey, from his first steps in training to recently completing his time at RAF Valley. Though I didn’t directly instruct him during his time on 72 (F) Sqn, to avoid any perception of bias, we have shared plenty of light-hearted banter as colleagues at the end of busy workdays.
James has just graduated on the Hawk Advanced Trainer on No IV (AC) Sqn, and looking back on my own career, I’ve had the honour of serving two tours on the same squadron. The highlight of my flying career was as Officer Commanding No 1 (F) Squadron, a Harrier GR9 squadron. James has been posted to the Typhoon Force and may yet serve on No 1(F) Sqn as a Typhoon pilot at RAF Lossiemouth!
Proud moment
Before James moved on, we had an unforgettable opportunity to fly together. I was conducting training in the Texan T1, and the rear cockpit was available for James to join me. This was a special moment for us both, as family members seldom get to share such a moment in military aviation. We spent much of the sortie comparing the Texan to the Hawk and his experience as a trainee flying both aircraft.
One standout reflection I have since returning to military aviation, is the incredible quality of the trainees going through the flying training system. All the trainees I work with are talented, professional, committed, and fantastic team players. It’s a privilege to help this group achieve their dreams of becoming frontline RAF pilots. I am also proud to be working alongside talented and dedicated colleagues at Ascent Flight Training, supporting the RAF and RN to deliver fast jet flying training at RAF Valley.
Now, James will convert to the Typhoon before joining the frontline. It won’t be long before he will be flying Quick Reaction Alert missions in the UK and Falklands, as well as supporting NATO policing operations across Europe, amongst other operational tasks. I couldn’t be prouder of him.
Flying with James was a moment I’ll always treasure, not only as his father but as a fellow pilot. For me, seeing James soar—both literally and figuratively—has been the greatest privilege of all.
James adds: “My interest in aviation began as I was growing up in the RAF environment and with a father who was a fast jet pilot. A remember the noise and power of the Harriers hovering just a short distance from the House at RAF Cottesmore; the Harrier bowing to the crowd outside the officers’ mess and nine bright lights appearing from the distance before the smoke and break into the circuit at RAF Cranwell.
“I am on my own journey now and, in light-hearted banter, I do remind Dad that shortly I will fly a faster jet with a radar!! I suspect it won’t stop him regaling about VIFFing. Flying together in the Texan was a full-circle moment, one that felt both surreal and meaningful. To share the skies with him—after years of watching him from the ground—was an experience I’ll always cherish. A passing of the baton.”
