Rhino wrangling

The crew, pilot FLTLT Ben ‘BJ’ Johnson, and Weapons System Operator (WSO)/ Air Combat Officer (ACO), SQNLDR Grant ‘Fife’ Fifield, were given the role as the RAAF’s first ‘Rhino’ display crew while training at the US Navy’s NAS Lemoore in California in April 2010 by CO 1SQN, WGCDR Glen Braz, shortly before the delivery of the first five F/A-18Fs to Australia in May.

Johnson comes from a classic Hornet background, having previously qualified as a Fighter Combat Instructor (FCI). Fifield was formerly an F-111C navigator/ACO and had an exchange tour as a WSO flying the USAF’s F-15E Strike Eagle.

Both Johnson and Fifield were part of the RAAF’s initial cadre of Super Hornets crews, and spent several months in the US converting to and working up on the jet in preparation for the first delivery. But with the rush to build up the Rhino’s capability during 2010 before declaring IOC last December, there was no time to develop and work up a full display in time for the Williamtown show. Indeed, the Rhinos on display at Williamtown were on their way back to their Amberley base from a weeklong ‘bomb camp’ at Woomera in South Australia, where a number of precision weapons including JDAM and JSOW were released as part of the RAAF’s operational test & evaluation process.

So while many of the ideas and elements of the Avalon display were gradually being developed by the crew with the assistance of current and former RAAF classic Hornet display pilots, and with input from US Navy pilots and from former Avalon regular and Boeing’s Hornet test pilot, Ricardo Travern, it wasn’t until January this year that Johnson and Fifield were able to set aside dedicated simulator and flying time to put the show together.

“We wanted to show the aircraft in its best light and to show its handling characteristics to differentiate it from the classic Hornet,” Johnson told Australian Aviation.

“While they may look similar, the Rhino has more power and is able to do more at low speeds and high angles of attack, and has a better roll rate than the classic. ”In total, the crew spent about 20 hours in the Super Hornet simulator at Amberley developing the display routine, and another 20 or so hours flying the elements of the display. “Initially, we’d just practice each manoeuvre as an individual element,” said Johnson. “We then started working on the transitions between each element so that it would look smooth and all link together. ” Indeed, Johnson said the original sequence in which some of manoeuvres were to be flown was changed a couple of times in order to allow better and smoother transitions between them.

“In the air, we started practicing manoeuvres at high altitudes, around 5000ft to gain confidence, and then gradually stepped it down,” Johnson said. “The key aim at all times was safety, and to focus on the actual jet and the manoeuvres. If a manoeuvre was too risky, we wouldn’t do it. We had to focus on the display line and on hitting our speeds and marks, and put the crowd out of our minds.

“We also developed a high show and a low show,” he continued. “The low show is performed when there is a low cloud base, whereas the more spectacular high show is for when the sky is relatively clear. ” The routine was designed so that aerobatic manoeuvres would be performed at a minimum of 500ft, while non-aerobatic passes could come down to as low as 200- 250ft. The maximum G pulled during the routine is +7. 5G on the max rate turn and some pull ups, and between -1 and -2G on the bunt manoeuvre.

At every step during the development and practice of the display, Johnson and Fifield’s progress was overseen by a squadron supervisor and by WGCDR Braz, with regular checks in the simulator and debriefs via the aircraft’s gun camera video following each flight. The display also required approval higher up from OC 82WG, and Air Commander Australia.

SQNLDR Paul ‘Simmo’ Simmons, an instructor from Williamtown’s 2OCU and RAAF classic Hornet display pilot from 2005 to 2007, was also consulted on the display routine, and FLTLT Johnson described some of his advice as invaluable.

“Simmo visited us a couple of times at Amberley before Avalon to check out how we were going, and had some great advice not only about the display itself, but also about how to handle the whole week at Avalon,” Johnson explained. “He helped us with our pre-display preparation, and advised us to take one day off on the Thursday so we could be fresh and well rested for the displays on the public days. His experience was invaluable. ” The original plan was for Johnson and Fifield to fly the display with a centreline drop tank and two wingtip mounted AIM‑9X Sidewinder missiles, but the missiles were removed as it was found the wingtips produced better condensation effects during high G and high alpha manoeuvres without them.

And Fifield was far more than a passenger during the display. “We flew the display as a team and we prepared together,” he said. “During the display, my role is to watch for obstacles or birds, and to ensure we enter our manoeuvres correctly.

We both wear JHMCS ( Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System) helmets as these are integral parts of the aircraft’s systems and allow us to have better situational awareness during the display. ” Johnson considered that developing and flying the display has made him a better pilot.

“It’s certainly allowed us to get to know the jet better,” he said. “I’ve gained a lot of confidence through this process. I think the display got better during the week as well, as we got more familiar with the tricky crosswinds at Avalon and were better able to hit our marks on the display line. ” Johnson also said he believed the physical and mental intensity of the workup process and the week at Avalon has better prepared him for major exercises and possible future operations.

The missiles were removed as it was found the wingtips produced better condensation during high G and high alpha manoeuvres without them.