Flt Lt Jim Peterson - 2018 Typhoon Display Pilot

Original Post: Facebook

As we look forward to 2018 and the Centenary of the Royal Air Force, we are delighted to announce that the new Typhoon Display Pilot has been announced as Flt Lt Jim Peterson!
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Jim was born in Bermuda and moved to the UK in 1981 aged 4 where he grew up in West Sussex. Fascinated by aircraft, his love of fighter jets and display flying was cemented when his parents took him to an Air show in Bournemouth when he was 10 years old. He decided there and then that he would one day fly fast jets and set about realizing his dream. 

Following flying training, Jim was role-disposed to the Tornado GR4 in 2003. After completing the Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Lossiemouth, Jim was posted to XIII Sqn at RAF Marham, where he was trained in low level reconnaissance and instructed electronic warfare. He completed numerous overseas exercises, graduated from the NATO Tactical Leadership Program Flying Course in Florennes, Belgium and deployed twice on operations over Iraq.

Jim crossed over to the Typhoon in 2006 and took up a position as a ground school and simulator instructor pilot in the Typhoon Training Facility at RAF Coningsby. Jim was posted to XI(F) Sqn in 2009 where he conducted Quick Reaction Alert duties in the UK and Falkland Islands and also flew on operations over Libya. In 2012, Jim was posted as an Evaluator Pilot and electronic warfare specialist to 17(R) Test and Evaluation Squadron, which subsequently became Typhoon Flight and part of 41(R) Sqn. 
In 2015, Jim joined 29(R) Sqn, where his current role is to teach student pilots electronic warfare and how to operate Typhoon. In addition to his instructional duties, Jim contributes to RAF Coningsby’s primary task of defending UK sovereign airspace.

Jim lives in Lincolnshire with his wife, 2 children and a tank of tropical fish. In his limited spare time he enjoys golf, going to the gym and has recently started re-learning how to play the piano.

Jim said "I'm delighted and extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to display the RAF's premier fighter aircraft in it's historic centennial year. I'm very much looking forward to building a display that showcases the Typhoon's incredible power and carefree handling and can't wait to get started on the work up in the New Year".

Flt Lt Peterson takes over the role from Flt Lt Ryan Lawton, who said “It’s been a real privilege to represent the Royal Air Force during 2017. This year has been very busy, but incredibly rewarding for everyone involved and has only been possible through the commitment and professionalism of the engineers on 29 (R) Sqn and the support from the entire of RAF Coningsby”.