Bromet Trophy Winners

2014 - Flight Lieutenant N Battersby

Flight Lieutenant Neil Battersby joined the RAF in 1994 as a university graduate having studied Aerospace Engineering at Kingston University. Whilst at university, Flt Lt Battersby was a member of the University of London Air Squadron where he gained his ‘PIFG’ wings flying the Bulldog TMk1. Following Initial Officer Training at RAF Cranwell, Flt Lt Battersby attended Elementary Flying Training at RAF Barkston Heath in preference to a ‘Hold’, flying the Slingsby Firefly. Basic Fast Jet Flying Training at RAF Linton on Ouse soon followed flying the Tucano. After a 6 month hold with 3 (F) Sqn at RAF Laarbruch, Flt Lt Battersby was posted to RAF Valley and to 208 (R) Sqn to conduct Advanced Flying Training on the Hawk T1 and the award of his ‘wings’. Tactical Weapons was flown on 74 Sqn, with a streaming to the Tornado F3. In 1999 having completed the Tornado F3 OCU at RAF Coningsby, Flt Lt Battersby was posted to 25 (F) Sqn at RAF Leeming for his first front line tour. This included many overseas detachments, including Red Flag in Las Vegas and QRA in the South Atlantic as well as Operational Tours as part of Southern Watch flown from Saudi Arabia. Following a second F3 tour with XI (F) Sqn (also at RAF Leeming), Flt Lt Battersby was posted to set up the Typhoon simulator and groundschool at RAF Coningsby. This ground tour was rewarded with a Typhoon OCU slot and subsequent posting to XI (F) Sqn also at RAF Coningsby where Flt Lt Battersby became one of the first multi role pilots on the Typhoon Force. In 2009, Flt Lt Battersby was posted to RAF Valley and to 19 (R) Sqn to become a Tactical Weapons QFI on the Hawk T1. When the two RAF Valley based Hawk Squadrons merged, Flt Lt Battersby continued the TW instructor role on 208 (R) Sqn becoming the CFS Agent. In Feb 2015, Flt Lt Battersby was posted to become the Hawk T2 CFS Examiner working for HQ CFS. Flt Lt Battersby is married with 2 children and enjoys playing golf, running and riding his road bike.