Experimental Aircraft Programme
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The EAP Technology Demonstrator is a single seat air superiority aircraft, with all-moving foreplanes, an advanced compound sweep wing, and powered by two Turbo-Union RB-199 engines. These features, together with the use of new light-weight materials and the incorporation of active controls with artificially maintained stability in pitch, result in an outstandingly agile aircraft.
The Experimental Aircraft came into being when the UK Government announced at Farnborough in 1982, that it was to make a financial contribution to an experimental aircraft programme technology demonstrator.
 The contract was signed in May, 1983, with the cost being shared between the UK Ministry of Defence, British Aerospace, Aeritalia and partner equipment companies in the United Kingdom, Italy and West Germany.
The aircraft was unveiled at British Aerospace’s Warton Aerodrome in Lancashire by Sir Raymond Lygo, BAe’s Chief Executive, in the presence of the Rt. Hon. George Younger MP, Secretary of State for Defence, on 16 April, 1986. The EAP brings together – in a single airframe – all the very latest aerospace technologies previously partially developed in isolation. These technologies include extensive use of carbon fibre composites, a co-bonded wing and an advanced cockpit with all the data required by the pilot shown on multi-function colour displays.
Piloted by Dave Eagles, Warton’s Executive Director Flight Operations, the first highly successful flight was made on 8 August, 1986, which began an intensive flying programme leading up to EAP’s public debut at the 1986 SBAC Farnborough Air Show.
“Whilst the EAP is not a prototype aircraft, we expect that the knowledge gained in its design, construction and operation, will make a significant contribution to the European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) Programme.”
Rt. Hon. George Younger MP, Secretary of State for Defence.
“It is superb, remarkably agile, yet very easy to fly.”
Mr. David Eagles, Executive Director Flight Operations, Warton.
First Flight
 At 15.47 hrs, on 8th August, our EAP demonstrator took off from Warton and made a very successful first flight.
Piloted by Dave Eagles, Executive Director Flight Operations, EAP was airbourne for 1 hour and 7 minutes. During the flight, the aircraft carried out general handling manoeuvres, Dutch rolls and accelerated to a maximum speed of 1.1 Mach at 30,000 feet.
Following the successful first flight, the EAP continued an intensive flying programme to complete 38 flights by the 11th September 1986. Flown by Chief Test Pilot, Chris Yeo and EAP Project Pilot, Peter Orme, a total of 21 hours 35 minutes were achieved in this period.
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