AirTanker Sponsored Reservist Pilots
All,
New to the forum, so this is my first post! I'm an aspiring military aviator, but with the current backlog in UK MFTS (and my eyesight possibly not being up to scratch), I'm considering other flying options as well.
I'm a bit confused by the AirTanker contract situation. I see that they employ ATPL holders to integrate and work alongside RAF trained pilots, but I'm wondering how far this stretches.
I have seen on their website that they offer a sponsored reservist option, and I assume that this means that potential AirTanker commercial pilots go through OASC and if selected, do the reserve officer commissioning course?
If this is so, does it mean that those quasi commercial-military pilots are qualified to undertake the more military minded flying ops (such as air-air refuelling) and integrate fully in the RAF Voyager squadrons, rather than the purely troop transport (essentially commercial) flights?
I remember seeing a while back that two AirTanker pilots were also awarded RAF wings. Do the sponsored reservists get awarded RAF wings (and wear military flightsuits) even if they have not conducted a military flying training course? I can see how that may cause a bone of contention with RAF pilots, who went through the military course to hard earn their wings. Although with the fact that RAF Multi guys are training at CTC - perhaps there won't be much difference in the future!
Sorry for the long winded post, but if I did not get selected as a pilot, I would still aim for a job supporting UK operations in a flying capacity!
Thanks!
DTT