Cpt Jerome "Schuss" Thoule
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your aviation background?
I’m a former Mirage F1CR pilot at Reims AFB and a former Flight instructor at fighter pilot school flying the Alpha-jet
Tell us about the Jet you're flying.
Easy to fly: Fly by wire flight control system (smooth and powerful)
Easy to use: HOTAS (hands-on throttle and stick) system + full displays (touchscreens)
Easy to manage/understand: sensors fusion, SPECTRA, omnirole fighter, combat-proven
Any favourite aircraft besides the rafale you would like to fly?
F14 Tomcat (TOP GUN) or Spitfire
Any favourite solo display in Europe you like?
Gripen and Typhoon because they are quite similar to the Rafale, FA18 Hornet (Switzerland and Finland) for the AOA, and F16 (Belgian/Turkish) for the show (Flares, smoke)
Where can we see you perform this year?
France (La Ferté, Luxeuil, Agde, Lavandou, Toulon, Melun…) Europe (Helsinki, Gdynia, Tanagra, Malta…)
Is there any airshow in Europe you would really like to display?
RIAT… I didn’t but it’s the most exciting one / + SIAE Le Bourget
When not flying at airshows what are your main duties in the Air Force?
I’m a flight instructor at the Rafale OCU (ETR 03.004 Aquitaine SQN)
When you are not taking the sky, what is your favourite way to unwind and relax?
Skiing… I’m a ski instructor in the French Ski School (Ecole du ski Français). Ski resort: Châtel.
My callsign is « Schuss » (High-speed skiing position)
How many people are there in the team?
1 pilot (for 2 years).
1 coach (for 2 years). He is the previous display pilot. He is also the supervisor of the team and the safety officer.
50 mechanics who travel in teams of 6 for technical support.
Thank you very much for your time! Any final words to our readers?
I’ll be happy to see you soon during an Airshow to let you enjoy the fantastic Rafale skills.