Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 15; Flight Crew Type 15
Conflict Airborne Conflict
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Procedure; Human Factors
Conducting pattern training and practice landings at Cecil field. Cleared low approach by ATC on runway 27L extend downwind; ATC will call base turn due to an F-18 cleared in to land runway 27L. F-18 asked for carrier break and denied by ATC (NOTAMS) told cleared to land 27L. Once Tower told us to turn base I looked over left shoulder to clear for turn and both the CFI and myself realized F-18 was closing on us and then initiated a turn to base and landed 27L. F-18 was co-altitude within 500 feet.
A C172 student with instructor reports being told to extend downwind due to an F-18 landing first. The F-18 requests a carrier break and is denied by ATC. When the reporter is cleared to turn base by the Tower the F-18 is detected close off the left side also apparently on a left downwind to base.