Eskil Amdal
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Eskil Amdal

Warbirds & more

Eskil started flying radio-controlled airplanes when he was twelve years old. Since the first flight, aviation has been a major passion in his life. Although he started his military career in the Norwegian Army, his urge for flight directed him to the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF). In 2007 he was selected to become an Experimental Test Pilot. Eskil has clocked up over 120 different aircraft and helicopter types in his logbook, including the P-38 Lightning 1, the F-35 Lightning 2, F-3/16/18/104, Spitfire, Sea Fury, P-51 and Mig-15. In 2012 Eskil met The Flying Bulls on their journey through Scandinavia. Eskil was struck by their common passion for aviation and is very happy to be part of the team.

1. Do you remember your first flight as a pilot?

EA: I remember well the first solo, it was in a SAAB Safari aircraft. Frightening and unbelievable at the same time, February 1994. The same is largely true today, hoping nobody finds out that I don’t know what I’m doing ;-)

2. F-22 or Corsair? Airbus 380 or B-25?

EA: Corsair, however the F-22 is also iconic today. A380, just because the enormous size. It’s truly amazing that we humans can build an aircraft of that size and it can fly so easily.

3. Which aeroplane would you like to fly if you could choose any, and why?

EA: Hmm, very difficult question but probably the SR-71, because of the incredible technology behind every detail of it.

4. Is there a technical or design feature on your aeroplane which particularly intrigues you?

EA: I’m very lucky to fly quite a few different airplanes, but experiencing the BLC (Boundary Layer Control) on the Starfighter is very special. It’s very powerful and comes in handy trying to land the thing. If it is not working is a hard day at work landing it north of 200 kts. If only one of them work, it is even worse...

5. Have you never had an uncomfortable feeling when boarding or during a flight because of the age of the machines?

EA: Here at the Flying Bulls the engineering/ maintenance is top notch thanks to the crew who look after them for us. I have never had a question of whether the aircraft was as safe as it possibly could be. I would not fly if I did.

6. What was the most turbulent flight you’ve ever had?

EA: Having to (crash)land a Sea Fury in a field after a catastrophic engine failure. Broke my back, but could not wait to get up again!

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