Saab SK-37 Viggen

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Saab. Model: SK-37. Nickname: Viggen
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Tactical Jet
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane SE Land
> Engine Description: Volvo Flygmotor RM8B turbofan engine

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 10/31/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 1.3
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: JA-37 (single seat version)

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 111
> Date First Flown: 6/25/2001
> Location First Flown: Linkoping, Sweden
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: FMV (Swedish Test Center), Maj Lunquist

Recollections: This experience came during a Staff Field trip to several test centers in Europe.   What an amazing trip and learning experience, to visit test centers in multiple countries.  The experience flying the Viggen (which, I learned later, is Swedish for “Tufted Duck”, something that I suppose might strike fear into the heart of their enemy) came at the Swedish Test Center.  

I was originally scheduled to fly the JA-39 Saab Gripen, the next in a long line of Swedish fighters, but I could tell that one of my JO’s really, really wanted to fly the Gripen so–being a good CO–I decided to swap with him (you’re welcome, Brady!)  And, boy, am I glad I did!  I’m sure the Gripen was amazing but I cannot imagine having a richer experience in the Gripen than I had in the Viggen.  Memories:

(1) The airplane was designed as a point-defence fighter.  Takeoff quickly, get to altitude quickly, fire a shot and return.  In my view it is extremely well designed to do this.  You first notice this when calling on the radio.  “Huh?”, you ask.  Well, the Viggen doesn’t have a radio in the way I’m used to…with a frequency window you dial in.  Sure, many radios have presets that you can program, but the Viggen ONLY has presets.  And communication and navigation are combined on the preset.  This is accomplished by having a single panel in the cockpit with 20 buttons (I guess there’s only 20 airfields).  When you push that button, you get comms for that field and navigation frequencies for that field.  There’s probably more to it than that (air to air freqs, for example) but all I had to do the whole flight was push a few buttons and the presets took care of me.

(2) Takeoff and, in particular, climb were BRISK.  Impressive.  The engine/airframe/wing combination was–even for an airplane that was fairly old at the time–perfect for the mission.  It flew well and then, poof, the flight was over.  Maj Lunquist was a patient instructor.

(3) As great as the flight was, the post flight was equally memorable…and that was before we got to the bar.  You see, when you fly the Viggen you are inducted into the “society of the Viggen”.  I won’t describe the ceremony (it may be “classified”) but everyone who has ever flown in the Viggen has their experience recorded in the logs as a member.  

My only regret (and I asked, believe me): not being allowed to land on a Swedish road.  Guess it takes some more practice.

Lastly, it’s worth a mention that it’s truly amazing that a country as small as Sweden has–for a long time–designed and fielded a truly amazing set of airplanes.  It’s a testament to their independence and to their skills.