Reports: French Air Force Chief 'Used Jet To Fly To Country House'

A French general has reportedly requisitioned an air force jet "around 10 times" since August to fly between a training base and his country home.

General Richard Reboul, the acting commander-in-chief of the French Air Force, used an Alpha jet to travel between Bordeaux and Salon-de-Provence, according to Le Canard Enchaîné.

It's alleged he was attempting to avoid a 373-mile journey that takes between five and six hours by car, or at least seven by train. It would have taken just over an hour by commercial flight, along with a half-hour drive from Marseille airport.

Announcing a full inquiry, the defence ministry in Paris said on Tuesday:

"Information on the improper use of air force resources by a senior military officer has come to the attention of the [defence] minister [Florence Parly]."

It added that the inquiry will "clarify the facts and verify the circumstances of such use, both in this case and generally", and allow the defence minister to "draw the necessary conclusions, including those of a disciplinary nature".

The French Air Force has also opened an investigation, meanwhile, after Le Canard reported that Gen Reboul, a former fighter pilot and test pilot with a previously faultless record, "borrowed" a six-seater TBM-400 transport aircraft, with pilot and co-pilot, for the same journey as recently as last weekend.

The French general was appointed second-in-command of the Air Force last year, becoming acting commander-in-chief in May after the death of his senior officer. 

It's been calculated that the flights could have cost the Air Force and taxpayer up to £14,000, while a return train or low-cost airline ticket would have cost less than £200.

The Alpha jet, which is used to train fighter pilots as well as by the French Air Force's aerobatic demonstration team, has a top speed of 620 mph and uses about 175 gallons (800 litres) of jet fuel an hour.

Cover image courtesy of Tristan Nitot.