F-111 really gone by 2012?

[hair of the dogma]

I always had aspirations to fly the F-111, but now I think time may have beaten me.

Anybody got any clues as to when the "pig" will no longer be a valid choice after 2FTS. In other words, am I too late?

Thanks in advance.

I appreciate I have a few hurdles to overcome in the meantime, but would like to know whether perhaps I should aim for another aircraft type.

[superfrozo]

Good question - 2010 will be the absolute earliest withdrawal. My guess on other scenarios: 2012 is probably around a 50% chance, and there is a 10-20% chance the old girl will go beyond 2012 due to the iminent train wreck that is the JSF acquisition.:ugh:

News of the Pigs demise pre-2010 is greatly exaggerated. The tax-payers would not appreciate such a capability gap with the various other "capability replacement" programs suffering their own project development issues.

If you're keen on a posting - I highly recommend throwing your hat in the ring. Think about the Mirage to Hornet transition all those years ago: there were some guys who were offered a chance at flying either (as concurrent courses were being run) and several jumped at the chance of flying the French lady. Even though they knew they would only get one (short) tour on the old girl, the chance to put such a unique type in the logbook was too good to pass up. PLUS, they got the added bonus of a guaranteed conversion on the Hornet anyway! :ok:

[PLE Always]

G'day,

Lots of news articles going around about this one.


The Australian April 17, 2006, "F-111 withdrawal leaves gap: ALP","They were due to be phased out in 2010, but defence sources told News Limited newspapers this could be brought forward to 2008."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18836459-31477,00.html (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18836459-31477,00.html)

If you're into it, the CAF and several other senior officers spoke before the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade on 31 Mar 06. Lots of good stuff in the proof hansard with references to the retirement plan etc. on and around page 61.http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb//Repository/Commttee/Commjnt/Linked/4633-1.PDF (http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb//Repository/Commttee/Commjnt/Linked/4633-1.PDF)

Good luck and enjoy, :ok:

PLE..