Hawker Hunter Flight in the mountains
And for sure the Swiss Hunter Flights is unbeatable. Switzerland is probably the best place on earth for a military aircraft flight. The Topography with the fantastic mountains, valleys and glaciers is just unbeatable - and the former Swiss Air Force pilots that fly the Hunters know the places very well. Have a look at this fantastic but rather old video to see what is possible in Switzerland: By the way: Today the jet fighters have HD recording, so the result would be much better.Flights from Former Mountain Airbases: St. Stephan and Ambri
Takeoff and Landing itself are an adventure. October 12th, 2011, we had a former US Navy pilot flying in the Hunter, from Ambri airbase. He was used to land on aircraft carriers but was very impressed by the landing in the very narrow valley. After the flight he said he probably couldn't land his aircraft in such a place without much training before. The Swiss Hunter pilots said the rather couldn't imagine landing on an aircraft carrier.
Ambri is a particularly interesting place. Swiss Military Aircraft have been stored in the mountains nearby. We are frequently asked by customers from UK and the US if this is a fairy tale. It is not! It can be seen in Ambri and other places. There is a ramp down to a tunnel which leads under the motorway and into the mountain behind: The aircraft storage facilities in Ambri inside the mountain ridge are empty but still available. These mountain storage facilities are not used for the F/A-18 Hornet as the aircraft is too large, but there are still F-5E Tiger Aircraft stored in mountains today.
Our US Navy Pilot took a video from his Hawker Hunter landing in Ambri. Very sporty landing and watch for that car crossing!
This video has been filmed on October 12th, 2011.
The black-yellow Tiger Hunter
We have often been asked why the Hunter Team painted the Hunter in a black-yellow tiger painting in 2009. I personally prefer camo paintings for all former military aircraft. Fantasy paintings are just not authentic. However, the tiger painting is not really a fantasy painting but has a historical background. One night Swiss fighter pilot students painted a hunter in black and yellow tiger design, a joke their instructors didn't find so funny. Todays painting is an exact remake from old photos. Hawker Hunter flight dates are always out in January/February. Usually flights start in June and end in October. The best locations are St. Stephan and the new location in Ambri.Preguntas relacionadas
Where can you fly a Hawker Hunter today?
Switzerland is essentially the only place where civilians can fly in a Hawker Hunter. Several former Swiss Air Force Hunters, including two-seaters, remain airworthy and fly among the Alps with ex-military pilots. Since South Africa's Thunder City closed in 2010, and with British Hunters mostly single-seat or grounded, Switzerland stands alone for passenger Hunter flights.
How long did the Hawker Hunter serve with the Swiss Air Force?
The Hawker Hunter served the Swiss Air Force until 1994, a remarkably long career for the British jet. It earned a devoted following in Switzerland, and a number of ex-Swiss Hunters are kept flying there to this day by enthusiasts and operators, allowing civilians to ride in this classic Cold War fighter-bomber.
What is the Papyrus Hunter?
The "Papyrus Hunter" is a well-known single-seat Swiss Hawker Hunter painted to look like it is covered in newspaper print. It is one of the more famous and popular Hunters still flying in Switzerland. Alongside such single-seaters, two-seat Hunters are available for passenger flights through the Alps.
Why is Switzerland considered ideal for military jet flights?
Switzerland's terrain — towering mountains, deep valleys and glaciers — makes a spectacular setting for low-level jet flying, arguably one of the best on Earth. Flights use tight mountain airfields like Ambri, and the ex-Swiss Air Force pilots know the landscape intimately, letting them fly close to the peaks safely and dramatically.
Did Switzerland really store military aircraft inside mountains?
Yes. Switzerland built aircraft shelters inside mountains, with ramps leading through tunnels into caverns hollowed out of the rock. Facilities near Ambri still exist, though now empty. These bunkers were not used for the larger F/A-18 Hornet, but F-5E Tiger jets have been stored inside mountains. It is a genuine feature of Swiss Cold War defence, not a myth.
Do you need to be a pilot to fly in a Hawker Hunter?
No. A former military pilot flies the Hunter while you ride as a passenger and can take the controls during gentler phases. No licence or flying experience is required, though operators apply basic medical, height and weight limits. That accessibility is part of why classic jet rides appeal to first-timers.
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