SEPECAT Jaguar

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: SEPECAT (Breguet & BAC) Model: T MK 2. Nickname: Jaguar
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Tactical Jet
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane ME Land
> Engine Description: two Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RT.172 Adour Mk 102 turbofan engines

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 10/30/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 1.3
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: Several A-S, “Max”

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 64
> Date First Flown: 11/10/1989
> Location First Flown: Boscombe Down, UK
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Empire Test Pilot School (ETPS), unknown IP

Recollections: I had to lookup the manufacturer’s name, SEPECAT…Société Européenne de Production de l’avion Ecole de Combat et d’Appui Tactique, (literal translation: European Aircraft Production Company Combat and Tactical Support School), which I learned was a joint venture between Breguet and the British Aircraft Corporation, one of the first major joint Anglo-French military aircraft programs.

I’d heard about the Jaguar dating back to the early 80’s, from my time flying P-3’s in the middle east.  The joke I’d heard was that “it’s a good thing the earth his curved, so the Jaguar can takeoff, as the earth curves away from it.” (or something like that).  During my flight at ETPS–conducted during yet another DT-2 exercise–I learned the truth of this statement.  While takeoff performance was acceptable, I was surprised to watch the airspeed drop fairly dramatically when conducting virtually any turns in the Jag.  On a low level, to keep speed up, required selection of MIL power even during a relatively benign turn.  Or, at least that’s my memory.