Military AircrewA forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
Location: Middle East (thankfully less now). Oops - hang on a second... no..yes..
Posts: 926
Flight Suit Coveralls backlog
It's taken my Squippers two month to tell me that my order for flying suit coveralls takes a minimum of 4 months. It took me 3 months to replace my old flying boots. I acknowledge that it's not the Safety Guys fault. Lucky I'm not in theatre at the moment requiring an even more urgent replacement.
Not at all... Try the Flying clothing store at RNAS Culdrose (not sure of the number but it will be on t'interweb) as they have loads....
Having wrote that I then re-read your post.... why do you need to "order" your flying suit / Boots....why not just go over and get a pair..? are you 7' tall with size 23 boots....? If you are then I can see why it is difficult to get you kit but if you are an average size then just nip over and swop your old kit for some new kit...
Location: Middle East (thankfully less now). Oops - hang on a second... no..yes..
Posts: 926
I have to order both of the above, because they don't seem to have my size in stock. Therefore it goes on 'special order'. My boots were sourced privately from another base. In fact, my squadron mates have the same problem, regardless of their sizes.
If you're spec measure (i.e. over size 12) it will take a few months for the suits to pitch up, they aren't off the peg items. The standard size suit shouldn't be a problem, try giving the stackers at Leuchars a call, with the F.3 drawdown there should be loads floating about....
If there is an issue of availability with the flying suit (or any AEA), then you should also take it up with your Force HQ. There is a formal process to discuss these types of issues with the A4/J4 elements at Command level, who in turn manage this equipment with the IPT.
Why should you do this you ask.......... Because the IPT responsible for the procurement of AEA has been raped of manpower over the last 2 years - to the point of not placing contracts, not being able to update equipment (a decent holster/better gloves/lighter helmets etc etc) and various other fundemental works that are involved with supporting aviation. Therefore, if you highlight this it will give the ammunition to attempt to reverse the rot or at least bring it to the attention of hierachy.
Only a thought
Not had any sz 6/7/8 at secret Lincs airbase since June!!
Don't mean to be a kill-joy but perhaps there wouldn't be shortage of essential AEA if we stopped wearing it when not directly engaged in flying related duties? The kit is designed against certain assumptions and wearing it day in/day out for a year whilst gashing around the Sqn, its no wonder there are shortages.
Good idea but whats a "non flying related duty" All our duties are flying related....thats why we are called aviators. "Non Flying related duties" are conducted by the Non-coms....
No size 11's at the secret Oxfordshire airbase either. SFO, if an issue Jumper/Jersey can survive since the late 90's (as many are worn by people 'gashing around the sqn') then I'm sure that official AEA should be sufficiently durable. Incidently I committed aviation the other day and proudly wore a flying suit (not flying related ...but flying duties!)
the problem with flying suits, is that there is no current contactor to produce them, thats why they are inability regardless of size. I was told it will be 6 months till a contactor will be sourced by my storeman in the know.,
"Non Flying related duties" are conducted by the Non-coms....
Wildly innaccurate. There are huge numbers of NCO aircrew in all 3 services. There is also a burgeoning population of officers in the 'flying prevention branches' of all 3 services.
Enjoy your quails eggs and swan on toast in your ivory tower.
There are huge numbers of NCO aircrew in all 3 services
If they are aircrew then they are NOT Non-Coms are they ?
Non-Com = Non-Combatant...i.e. those not concerned with combat. All aircrew regardless of rank, colour, sex or political persuasion are concerned with combat. Combat is a flying related duty (In the Armed Forces).
Therefore all aircrew are always on flying related duties. We don't do Non-Flying related duties. Even when we are writing SJARs, Manning the Tower during Night Flying, Cleaning our Flying helmets and greasing the zips on our goonbags we are always conducting flying related duties. And because of that we can wear what we bloomin well want.
Been waiting for 3 months for replacement flying suits at the secret air base in Wilts.
Ref: CS95 flying kit the Herc boys have been wearing it for years and at the mo I dont believe there is sufficient stock to replace that when its worn out?
Would be nice to have the CS95 stuff in Army green as well and then wouldn't need flying suits at all.
Out and about in the desert still living the dream
Just had a look, I have a "suits flying lightweight MK 7a"
Belonged to my father. Fits 72" to 78" weight less than
188 lbs. Stores ref 22C/2819. Would that help ?
Of course he retired in 1974 so it's perhaps not current
issue ?
As someone who has long since retired (and from Handbrake House at that, although GD in a previous life) I am astounded at this thread, or at least the content. Here we have aircrew who cannot get replaced their basic working rig, presumably designed to do most effectively the job it is reqired to do. The efficiency of those who cannot get the correct kit is inevitably, to whatever extent, compromised. I reminds me of the time 20 years ago when I arrived at RAF Support Command Command Accounts to find that the Red Arrows flying suits were provided by a civilian benefactor. Two years later, with the staunch support of the then Command Accountant, we finally got the red suits publicly funded, ironically on the grounds of "flight safety". Is there not some 2-Star somewher who can kick ths issue where it hurts, and get the matter resolved.
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