RIAT '09, Sunday 19th July and it is absolutely pouring with rain. I'm dodging the puddles en route to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund's pitch to meet Flt Lt Matt Barker, this year's Hawk solo display pilot, who is using his appearances this season to promote the charity in its 90th birthday year.
When I finally reach the RAFBF, very wet and quite cold I hasten to add (is this really July!), Matt is busy gathering his gear together as he'll shortly be displaying as one of the day's opening acts. A quick hello, an exchange of numbers and we agree to meet later in the afternoon, hopefully when it's a little drier!
Fast forward to mid-afternoon and it is indeed a little drier, not withstanding the horrendous rain that has been and gone, and will come again before the day is out. Matt managed to avoid the worst to complete his display in the morning and once again fly the flag for the RAF, the Benevolent Fund, the Hawk and of course his own abilities.
We're standing at the back of the RAFBF stall, partly to find a little peace and quiet in which to talk but also to watch the Vulcan, currently sitting at the end of the runway and about to not only wreck any sense of serenity but also divert our attention with 'that' take-off. So much for the hardened professional pilot and journalist!
Anyway, Vulcan aside, Matt is roughly half-way through an extremely busy display season, so how's he getting on?
"It's really good, I'm really enjoying it" he says.
"It's also been quite hard work, but I think this is where you reap the benefits of the hours you put in prior to the season beginning. That's really paying off for me anyway."
I think anyone who has seen Matt out and about would recognise that this is a guy who fundamentally enjoys displaying the jet and taking it to airshows, something he is more than happy to confirm.
"Displaying the aircraft is great fun and I enjoy being able to show off as many aspects of the Hawk as I can.
"It's one of the hardest things I've done in the aircraft that's for sure. The amount of G involved means that flying the display is very demanding and I operate the Hawk to its limits which you don't always have to do during training flights. It's very hectic during the display and the G is on and off pretty much constantly."
It's not just demanding for Matt either, but also the engineers at RAF Valley as he confirms that they must try to rotate the two aircraft between displays so as not to add too much fatigue on any one jet. Incidentally, both jets were chosen especially at the start of the season due to their low fatigue life and hours in consultation with the engineers.
At this half-way house, what have Matt's highlights been thus far I wonder? Presumably a debut at RIAT is one of them?
"This has been a great weekend as RIAT is obviously one of the biggest shows in the UK but I must mention Southend. There was a massive crowd there and the weather was awesome. There will be much to look forward to in the second half of the season too but I'm particularly looking forward to displaying at Ostrava in the Czech Republic."
Matt would be the first to admit that the Hawk, as a solo performer, lacks the power, noise and size of an aircraft such as the Typhoon, but that doesn't mean that he has hasn't been the star-turn on numerous occasions already this year.
"One thing I've really enjoyed is displaying the aircraft at some of the smaller shows" he explains.
"It's good to do shows that perhaps the Typhoon for example, can't get in to, and, as a solo fast jet it is then the Hawk which really adds something to the RAF presence at those kinds of events."
That presence is all-important as Matt, and the team which supports the Hawk display, are the public face of Number 4 Flying Training School based at RAF Valley on Anglesey in North Wales. With their full-time role training the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy combat pilots of the future the Hawk display is a prominent one in terms of recruiting those who may eventually be training at Valley.
"It's a great opportunity to spread the word about the Royal Air Force and we do everything we can to publicise the RAF and assist with recruitment."
Matt's own desire to join the RAF came from visiting airshows and now, as a Hawk instructor at Valley and a former Tornado GR.4 pilot, he admits that display flying was always an ambition.
"It's certainly always been something that I had in mind so it's fantastic that I've been given the opportunity to display the Hawk. Displaying the GR.4 would definitely have been nice as well though!"
No one who has watched Matt's display can have failed to see the heart-centered Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund roundel on the Hawk's underside and he is working closely with the charity to support their 90th anniversary. It's a charity connection that he is clearly passionate about.
"We decided to support the charity by painting the underneath of the aircraft and we've also added some detail to the front of the jet. I am trying to help them raise as much money as possible with activity on the ground such as selling signed prints of the jet. It's such a worthwhile charity and I'm delighted that we're able to work with them."
For their part, the RAFBF is delighted to be working so closely with Matt, something that Nicola James, Head of Regional Fundraising, was only too happy to confirm:
"I would just like to add my huge thanks to 208 Squadron and in particular to Flt Lt Matt Barker. Having this year's single display Hawk painted with the logo to celebrate our 90th Anniversary has truly lifted the RAF Benevolent Fund profile to dizzy heights. Matt and his team from 208 Sqn have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support us at each air show by engaging with the public and signing merchandise; all for donations to the RAFBF. This allows us to reach out to more people and ensure that our care is as relevant today as it was in 1919."
So, with another half season of gruelling but enjoyable displays ahead of him what happens then? Back to a full-time life of instructing at Valley?
"I'm actually due to leave Valley at the end of the year and then I'm back to the Tornado GR.4. I'll be on a refresher course at Lossiemouth and then hopefully posted to RAF Marham but we'll see what happens."
Any reticence is possibly based upon the fact that Matt makes no secret of his ambition to one day join the Red Arrows.
"It's something that I would definitely like to do but naturally it's up to the team in terms of who is selected so you never know."
So watch this space with regard to the Reds, but in the meantime look out for Matt if you visit any shows where he is displaying during the remainder of the season. He's an engaging guy, more than happy to talk about the RAF and what he does, and you might just be able to kill two birds with one stone and help the RAF Benevolent Fund while you're at it.
GAR wants to interact with its readers so if you have a question for the author or a comment to make on this feature, please click on the button below. The best comments will appear right here on GAR.2010-05-08 - John Owen
I was lucky in being able to see FLT. LT. Tom Saunders doing his display at RAF Valley yesterday May 7th. I was also privileged to speak to an RAF student pilot (I think) who was busy engaging everyone in donating towards the RAFA benelovent fund, I got my 3 cards showing Tom Saunders and his aircraft. I have been going to RAF Valley for many years, and always enjoy the flying especially on the photo shoot days. Let's hope there is one this year. Best wishes, John.
2009-11-19 - mike parker
Brilliant interview in such dreadful weather. Followed Matt to many displays this year, what a nice man. Will miss him displaying tremendously next year. Got his signed posters all over the house.
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