This UK Pilot Is Making History

A pilot from UK defence company Inzpire is instructing students taking part in the inaugural Qatari Emiri Air Force Qualified Weapons Instructor (QWI) Course at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

In a first for Inzpire, the former RAF pilot will be airborne in a Typhoon aircraft, as part of a whole force military and civilian team, delivering training to the Qatar Emiri Air Force.

Brendan Nolan, Managing Director, Inzpire, said: “Inzpire has a long-established reputation for working as an integrated part of military and industry teams. This is a significant milestone, as it is the first time that one of our team will fly alongside the RAF to support their delivery of critical training to an overseas ally. We are immensely proud to have such an integral role.”

The six-month training course teaches the QWI candidates how to deliver instruction and training in air combat, close air support, air weapons delivery and large force employment exercises, enabling them to instruct, lead and supervise all elements of training and operational flying.

As well as the flying element, Inzpire has been involved every step of the way. Experts from its training services team have undertaken analysis on the Qatari QWI role to help shape the design and development of the training and further expertise is provided to support the ground school elements of the course.

Inzpire’s combat air experts will also design, coordinate and deliver Exercise Cobra Warrior, which will take place at RAF Waddington in March 2025. This will mark the culmination of the course, enabling the students to utilise their skills in the role of combat air functional team leader in the planning, briefing, execution and debriefing of a large-scale global exercise.