Exercise YORKNITE 2021 | F/A-18 Hornet's Swiss Air Force | Ted's highlights from RAF LEEMING

Exercise YORKNITE, an annual key training deployment of the Swiss Air Force at RAF LEEMING. The Swiss bring their aircrew, military personnel from all three operational squadrons that fly the F/A-18 Hornets to the UK for 4 weeks. The squadrons of the Swiss Air Force are the Fliegerstaffel 11 "Tigers", 17 "Falcons" and 18 "Panthers".

From Air to Air Refuelling, low level and other sorties, Yorknite plays a key role for the F-18 pilots who integrate with the RAF and USAF too. There are other aircraft that are deployed for Ex Yorknite such as the Cougar helicopters, but on this visit, we seen 6 F-18's and 1 Bombardier CC-144C Challenger.

The departures are usually in the mid afternoon and then later, but as Ted was here, luck had to be on our side. We seen two F-18's bright and early at 1030 departing for RAF LOSSIEMOUTH. These two did not return for another five hours. Before these two were on recovery to RAF LEEMING, four more F-18's departed, one having a special tail.

Runway 34 was being used and for viewing from the designated 'Viewing Area', it was OK. You can see how gradients of the terrain and buildings obscure the view on takeoff. That being said, it is still enjoyable and the sun is in the right places. However, when aircraft are on final using runway 34, there is an absolutely gorgeous place watch the aircraft coming in to land. You'll need to come out of the 'Viewing Area' and turn left onto the main road. Keep going until the road bends to the right but turn left so that you are heading straight. Keep going until you reach the dead end and the start of the footpath. Walk for about five minutes (parallel with the A1) and you'll start to see the approach lights of runway 34. Use your own judgment where you'd like to be. You could even go all the way to the end and turn left when you get to the road so that you are directly under the runway path . This is personal preference to what you'd like to achieve.

Ted thoroughly enjoyed his first Yorknite and his first time seeing the F/A-18 Hornets. They look awesome and have a lovely sound to them. Enjoy the little added randoms of the day, including a Swiss that really wished there was snow and a cheeky Hawk coming in on finals with the sun illuminating it.

Aircraft serials from the video:
F/A-18:
J-5001
J-5234
J-5008
J-5016
J-5024
J-5018 (special tail)

Challenger
T-751

Hawk
XX198

Swiss skier
Unknown

Ted Moves
Cuban 6
Guard's March
Flypast Long
1x Unknown at 10:36


Connect with Ted Coningsby:
Purchase Official Ted Coningsby merchandise:
www.tedconingsby.co.uk
Insta
  / ted_coningsby  
Facebook
  / tedconingsbyuk  
JustGiving
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraisin...