Late Peter Bafemi Anala was not just a pilot, he was a Squadron Leader in the Ghana Air Force, which is a senior officer rank (equivalent to a Major in the Army).
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That means we’re talking about someone with years of flight training, command experience, and razor-sharp decision-making skills.
As a Squadron leader, Peter was:
1. Trained to fly high-performance military jets, fast, agile, and demanding. This includes supersonic fighters, attack aircraft, and possibly trainer jets.
2. Deep in his understanding of aerodynamics, propulsion systems, avionics, and navigation, at a level far beyond civilian pilots.
3. Skilled in low-visibility flying, high-G maneuvers, evasive tactics, and emergency recovery procedures.
4. Able to analyze terrain, weather patterns, and mission risks with precision before a flight.
5. Able to use advanced navigation systems, both GPS and inertial navigation, and can perform dead-reckoning navigation if systems fail.
6. Not just a pilot, but commands multiple pilots and aircraft, overseeing their training, mission readiness, and discipline.
7. Equipped to train junior pilots in tactical flying, weapons systems handling, and mission execution.
8. Capable of making split-second calls during missions that could affect lives, military assets, and national security.
9. If an engine fails, a system malfunctions, or weather turns dangerous, a squadron is experienced and can switch from mission mode to survival mode instantly.
10. Skilled in forced landings, emergency ejection, and minimizing casualties in a crash situation.
11. Able to endure extreme physical stress during high-speed turns and maneuvers without losing consciousness.
12. Able to maintain the endurance, reflexes, and alertness required for combat aviation.
13. Able to handle prolonged missions, irregular hours, and high-risk situations without performance drop.
Just to mention a few. To err is human. If for nothing at all, we must cancel the theory that Peter was inexperienced. Let’s not even go there.
You’re a leader even in death. The tragedy will remain a point for study at the military flight school.
Continue to rest in the unseen realms till we meet again.
