Former Air Commodore Nigel Wharmby draws on more than 47 years as an RAF pilot and instructor to explain how military crews train for low-level flying and why this demanding skill remains important.

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Catch up on Nigel Wharmby’s return visit to Understanding Ullswater and explore the demands of low-level flying over the Lake District through the eyes of one of the RAF’s most experienced fast-jet pilots.

Returning by popular demand, Nigel explores the role of low-level flying in RAF operational training and explains why it remains essential in preparing aircrews to respond to present and future threats.

During a remarkable RAF career, Nigel accumulated more than 7,000 hours of operational flying. He spent 15 years on the front line in Germany during the Cold War and served in the Falklands, Belize, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. His experience includes flying the Harrier as a ground-attack pilot and instructing on the Hawk as an Advanced Fast Jet Flying Instructor and Combat Weapons Tactics Instructor.

Nigel also commanded RAF Cranwell, served as Base Commander at Basrah in southern Iraq and helped shape RAF defence policy and operational capability. At RAF Leeming, he trained and evaluated frontline Typhoon and F-35 squadrons in air combat and low-level evasion techniques.

Drawing on that experience, this Understanding Ullswater talk offers a rare insight into the skills, risks and operational purpose behind the military aircraft seen flying through the Lake District.