The air rank old boys club
Apologies for the thread hijack, but:
What is the notional difference between an "officer" and an "air officer"?
I notice the distinction is even made when people are sworn into the army or the RAF (for the army it's "officers and generals", for the RAF it's "officers and air officers", if memory serves).
I therefore assume there's some sort of special distinction, but I don't know what it is.
End of silly question 'o the day.
P
What is the notional difference between an "officer" and an "air officer"?
I notice the distinction is even made when people are sworn into the army or the RAF (for the army it's "officers and generals", for the RAF it's "officers and air officers", if memory serves).
I therefore assume there's some sort of special distinction, but I don't know what it is.
End of silly question 'o the day.
P
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Phill_R
With the wah shield up: Air Officers are those in the senior ranks that begin with the word Air - ie Air Commodore to Air Chief Marshal - and Marshal of the Royal Air Force.
With the wah shield up: Air Officers are those in the senior ranks that begin with the word Air - ie Air Commodore to Air Chief Marshal - and Marshal of the Royal Air Force.
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Phil,
You become an Air Officer when you reach starred rank. Just as, in the Army, when you become a Brigadier (General) and beyond; and the Navy when you reach Flag Rank whether that be as any of the Admiral (Rear, Vice or full) classes. Not sure if Commodore in the Navy qualifies (ask a sailor but don't ask him much!) as I understand that to be a 'holding position' pending either promotion to Flag Rank or retirement ......or some sh!t like that.
Foldie
PS. But you knew you'd get sense outta me!
You become an Air Officer when you reach starred rank. Just as, in the Army, when you become a Brigadier (General) and beyond; and the Navy when you reach Flag Rank whether that be as any of the Admiral (Rear, Vice or full) classes. Not sure if Commodore in the Navy qualifies (ask a sailor but don't ask him much!) as I understand that to be a 'holding position' pending either promotion to Flag Rank or retirement ......or some sh!t like that.
Foldie
PS. But you knew you'd get sense outta me!
as I understand that to be a 'holding position' pending either promotion to Flag Rank or retirement ......or some sh!t like that.
Simples!
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You know you're getting old when ... you only recognise one name in the first post 
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At least the "old boys club" is looking after itself whilst Rome is burning!!!
Last edited by Nomorefreetime; 26th Aug 2011 at 17:15. Reason: Spelling
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You do not have to be a pilot to be the Captain of certain UK Mil Plc fleets. I think the Nimrod fleet started the trend. Apologies to those allergic to the word 'Nimrod'. One is assuming that this situation is now valid in the Navy, although when using 'civilian owned' aircraft (King Air) I would have thought it unlikely.
Regarding the Senior Officer 'Air' cadre: Is it not true that Air Officers get 'appointed' whereas Gp Capt & below get 'promoted'. Meaning that Air Officers can find their services no longer required whereas the mortals have to be made redundant.
Regarding the Senior Officer 'Air' cadre: Is it not true that Air Officers get 'appointed' whereas Gp Capt & below get 'promoted'. Meaning that Air Officers can find their services no longer required whereas the mortals have to be made redundant.
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In the RN the senior member of the crew is usually aircraft captain, quite often it is the Observer. Indeed in Merlin, Lynx and grey Seakings the Obs is often the most appropriate guy to be a/c captain. It is not an issue for RN crews.
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Tankertrashnav
You should know better; the senior officer on board one of the RN's aircraft is always the "captain."
3P
Bismark got there quicker than I!
3P
Bismark got there quicker than I!
Thanks guys, but as I've never flown grey funnel line I wasn't to know that. I flew a few times with another nav who was a wing commander, but the fairly junior flight lieutenant in the lhs was definitely the captain. Seemed like a sensible system to me, especially as said wing commander nav could have got lost crossing the road!
I knew about the Nimrod system, but I think I'm right in saying that the nav was only captain at certain stages of the operation and captaincy reverted to the 1st pilot for the remainder of the sortie. Once again - stand to be corrected as I managed to avoid the mighty hunter.
I knew about the Nimrod system, but I think I'm right in saying that the nav was only captain at certain stages of the operation and captaincy reverted to the 1st pilot for the remainder of the sortie. Once again - stand to be corrected as I managed to avoid the mighty hunter.
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Tanker.
As far as Nimrod MR2 was concerned the captain could be Pilot/Nav or AEO. (never knew of a captain Eng) and was the captain of that crew at all times unless they were really naughty. some A/C have separate flight deck and mission crew commanders but that will just confuse the issue. Captains are not necessarily pilots. And as in all walks of life there were good and bad pilot or not.
As far as Nimrod MR2 was concerned the captain could be Pilot/Nav or AEO. (never knew of a captain Eng) and was the captain of that crew at all times unless they were really naughty. some A/C have separate flight deck and mission crew commanders but that will just confuse the issue. Captains are not necessarily pilots. And as in all walks of life there were good and bad pilot or not.
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officers are on a 1/60th pension, everyone else is on a 1/80th pension. This means for every year you have worked you accrue 1/60th or 1/80th of you final salary.
So what does this mean, in simplistic terms (there are a few other rules) officers who have served for 30 yrs (all air ranks) will get 30/60ths which equals a "half pension" due to time served. Everyone else will get an almost half pension if they serve for 37yrs i.e. 37/80ths.
So Air ranks do not retire a special pension, they have merely done their time.
I hope this helps.
Pension Calculator - Try it here.
So what does this mean, in simplistic terms (there are a few other rules) officers who have served for 30 yrs (all air ranks) will get 30/60ths which equals a "half pension" due to time served. Everyone else will get an almost half pension if they serve for 37yrs i.e. 37/80ths.
So Air ranks do not retire a special pension, they have merely done their time.
I hope this helps.
Pension Calculator - Try it here.