What’s your background as a pilot?

I’ve been in the Air Force for a little over 10 years. As a kid growing up, I’d been to a couple of air shows and had a longing to be a pilot. At college I became interested in the Air Force, which let me realise that dream. After flight school in Texas, I went to Alaska to fly the F15-C. I flew that for about five years, then I was given the opportunity to cross-train into the F22 back in around 2005, so I’ve been flying the Raptor for about four years.

What new aviation technology has been incorporated into the Raptor?

It’s the first ever fifth generation aeroplane. We’ve taken all the best characteristics of the fourth generation that you see flying here like the Eurofighter, and combined it into one package. It’s stealthy, super-manoeuvrable as we demonstrated for the crowd, and very fast with the ability to super-cruise (going supersonic without using afterburners). The really neat capabilities are with the avionics and computer technology on board the aircraft, which truly make it a leap forward.

How many Raptors are currently in production?

We currently have about 146 which have been delivered, and the Air Force plans to procure about 187.

Why do you think it’s so important to keep at the cutting edge technologically?

It’s not just important for the US Air Force, it’s important for us and all our coalition partners. Other countries aren’t just sitting idly by using the systems they’ve got. They’re procuring new technologies, so we’ve got to stay at the forefront to ensure we can achieve our objectives. Certainly, the F22 represents the pinnacle of those capabilities.

What are the key skills needed to become a fighter pilot?

You definitely need hand-eye coordination, and you need to stay in shape because of the immense physical and mental stresses you’re under. It’s all about being able to make smart decisions while withstanding the physical forces. What’s unique about the F22 is that it makes the decision-making processes much easier for the pilot.

What mental stresses are you talking about?

Specifically in battle, but in all phases. The system really reduces the workload for the pilot, which helps you handle intense situations a lot easier than a fourth generation aircraft.

How long did it take you between beginning training and flying an actual fighter plane?

I started flying with the Air Force in January 2000, and it wasn’t until late 2002 that I started flying an F15-C. For guys coming straight out of flight training to fly the F22, it’s a good three years to qualify. That’s actually a relative short period of time when you think about it, but again those advances in technology help.

What’s it like fighting G-force – is it something you get trained in?

It is, again you need to do weight training and cardiovascular work. If you’ve ever ridden a rollercoaster and got pushed down into the seat at the bottom, that’s what it feels like. But those rides pull at most two Gs – the raptor is capable of nine point five Gs, or nine-and-a-half times the force of gravity. So a person who weighs about 200lbs like myself, weighs 1,900lbs. It’s an immense force to strain against, but with the right training and fitness programme you’re able to stay on top of it.

Is there a chance you may go to war yourself in a Raptor in the future?As the demonstration pilot for Air Combat Command, I’m a fully operational F22 instructor pilot. If called upon, I could absolutely be called upon to go into battle. Wherever the F22 needs to go, whenever the nation or our partners call on us, we’ll be there to support the fight.