Rate of Climb: Thrilling Personal Reminiscences from a Fighter Pilot and Leader

by Rick Peacock-Edwards

Overview

Rick Peacock-Edwards has led different lives at different times, but through it all has used a bonus in life nowadays often overlooked: he has consistently enjoyed himself. One of three brothers of outstanding South African Battle of Britain pilot F/O S R ‘Teddy’ Peacock-Edwards, his subtle and compassionate regard for a generation of wartime aircrew is clear: “As the proud son of one of the ‘Few’, their selfless daring has inspired me throughout my life. Importantly, they influenced my decision to become an airman in the Royal Air Force, to become a fighter pilot like my father, and to live life with spirit as they had lived their lives. It is essential that their experiences live on.” Rate of Climb, his original and continually entertaining biography, drawing on previously unpublished family and archival material, shows Rick in complete command of his primary subject: flying. A leading ex-RAF fighter pilot to his fingertips, he flew the Lightning, Phantom, Tornado F2/3 and other high-performance aircraft, and served in senior-ranking positions in the UK, Germany and the US. During a varied and distinguished career he was closely associated with the Eurofighter Typhoon program and was appointed as the Royal Air Force Inspector of Flight Safety. He ably demonstrated his uncommon skill and determined leadership during the Cold War era, first Gulf War and elsewhere. A past master of The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, he is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the immediate past vice chairman of the Royal Air Force Club in London. He is equally as engaged in his post-RAF career as he was when a serving officer. This is an action-packed account of a foremost flyer’s life with endless good stories, and a colorful cast of characters to match. Rick’s compelling recollections in Rate of Climb reveal a life of considerable achievement, in a very personal book capturing the ties of airmanship that the author has been privileged to share. A must for all lovers of derring-do in the air.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781911621461
Publisher:	Grub Street
Publication date:	06/10/2020
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Dedication 7

Foreword: Air Marshal Cliff Spink CB CBE FCMI FRAeS 9

Introduction My Father's Wartime Exploits 11

Chapter 1 Early Years in the UK 14

Chapter 2 Growing Up in South Africa 22

Chapter 3 Life in the RAF Begins 33

Chapter 4 Into Fighter Command 48

Chapter 5 My First Operational Squadron 59

Chapter 6 A Second Lightning Tour 76

Chapter 7 As a Qualified Flying Instructor 85

Chapter 8 The Mighty Phantom 91

Chapter 9 My First Staff Appointment and Staff College 106

Chapter 10 Introducing the Tornado into RAF Service 110

Chapter 11 Tornado Leader 123

Chapter 12 American Adventure 135

Chapter 13 Inspector of RAF Flight Safety 140

Chapter 14 A Short Time with Eurofighter and Farewell RAF 148

Chapter 15 Life Outside the RAF 153

Chapter 16 Master of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots 159

Chapter 17 The Royal Air Force Club 166

Chapter 18 My Many Other Interests and Activities 172

Epilogue Reflections 183

Index 187