Originally Posted by
BEagle
No-one listened to those at the coal face - one of the chief problems with the MFTS farce being a sustainable supply of instructors. Back when training ramped up for the Tornado, the front line was raided to supply ex-QFIs to the UAS / BFTS, allowing their ex-FJ QFIs to return to the front line. There was enough flex in the system to cope in those days.
But now? Not enough QFIs, training aerodromes or training aeroplanes. So much has been cut and so many aerodromes closed (or ear marked for closure) that it would be virtually impossible to ramp up pilot supply if there was an urgent need.
Just as well the TWUs have been shut down, then. Manning them would have been impossible and the training time would run to ten years. Tongue out of cheek: rather than nick T1s from 100 Sqn and others, should Valley graduates not be sent to the Ton for 'operational use' and there assessed for their front line tours? The RAAF use their FLIT Hawks for fleet support, Hornet/F-35A DACT, FAC and so on and the 'students' continue to be trained and evaluated as useful members of society before being eased out to the OCUs. I guess that's what Fighter Lead-in Training means.