Well
EnigmAviation - m
ay I suggest that you have not seen an AEF in operation, and most certainly you have not seen mine.
What about improved levels of competency checks, frequency and standards?
There is a requirement for all pilots to undergo a full-blown flying ability test (FAT) every year. This includes examination of their knowledge of checks and procedures, their ability to fly steep turns, stalling (3 variants), aerobatics, fully developed spins, incipient spins, emergency drills and actions, practice forced landings, circuits (normal, flapless, glide and low level), engine failure after take-off drills and actions, and - in the case of my AEF because not all runways in all conditions and circumstances have a safe "straight ahead" option - practice turn-backs. Following the flight test, there is an essential knowledge quiz.
At the 6 month point between FATs the pilots have to fly a "competency" check ride. In fact, I fly a full FAT with all pilots every 6 months rather than one FAT and a competency check. All pilots are further checked and standardised by flying with Central Flying School examiners at a minimum interval of once every 4 years.
e.g., permitted on sortie, not permitted on sortie, sign for a specific briefing by duty Auth ?
There is an order laying out what events can be flown with cadets on board and what events can NOT be flown with cadets on board. All pilots have to fly "essential basic training requirement" manoeuvres every 90 days. To ensure that they can keep abreast of this requirement for the events that can't be flown with cadets on board, each pilots has to fly a certain minimum number of "staff continuation training" sorties each year.
All pilots have to sign authorisation sheets that they understand exactly what they are required to do on each sortie. In the vast majority of cases, I am the one that authorises their sorties. If I am away on leave, detachment, or on a course, then one of my deputies will authorise the pilots on my behalf. All of my deputies are vastly experienced and have been authorisers/supervisors in their past RAF careers. Furthermore, all of my pilots are extremely experienced and have supervised as either squadron authorisers, flight commanders, squadron commanders, station commanders, Group commanders, "Command" commanders and - in at least one case - RAF commanders (ie Chief of the Air Staff).
Therefore, I am confident that my AEF pilots are supervised to a more than adequate level and I am also confident that my pilots all have vast experience and expertise that is tested and proved on a regular and frequent basis.
No I am NOT complacent and we do frequently look at our procedures practices and we do make any changes that we think will improve our efficiency and safety whenever necessary.