From ejecting during his final check ride before qualifying as an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot to becoming the first Dane to fly an F-35A Lightning II, Soren Augustesen looks at ‘Mon’s’ career.
A shaky start
As a young man, 'Mon' (name withheld for security reasons) did not plan on a career in the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF). He had already started studying civil engineering at Aalborg University when he decided to give pilot selection a try. “I applied to the air force, just to see how it worked and to give it a try.” 'Mon' explains. “And I succeeded!”
Starting at the RDAF Flight School in 1993, Mon just passed the basic flight training course at at Karup Air Force Base. “I never became good friends with the T-17," 'Mon recalled, referencing the Saab T-17 Supporter, the RDAF’s basic trainer. “But it was just good enough to pass the solo check and the final check ride.”
In 1995, Mon was se
