I've been digging some more on the RPAS issue and I have some more rumours to add to this aptly named rumour network:
Soon, the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System-Pilot branch will no longer exist as a single Branch, instead there will be a fourth stream in to the Pilot branch and RPAS-P will move over to the Brown Pilot's brevet as they ditch the Blue and will be able to receive full "flying pay" which is now known as recruitment and retention pay, I think. The streams will be:
- Pilot - Fast-Jet
- Pilot - Rotary Wing
- Pilot - Multi-Engine
- Pilot - ISTAR
From what I can tell, one can choose to specialise in RPAS from the start as an ISTAR Pilot but the other three will remain as normal. There will be no restrictions to 'manned' (for lack of a better word) aircraft from RPAS assets because all Pilots will have a full Instrument Rating for flying the Reaper and Protector in UK airspace.
39 Sqn is drawing down from Creech AFB and they will be moving to RAF Waddington to permanently team up with XIII Sqn, which means operators are not backwards and forwards the U.S and the UK along with operational deployments for LRE duties and also potential Exercises. This works better for families and it may be one answer to the RPAS retention headache.
There is virtually no holding time for RPAS operators compared to their 'manned' counterparts; it's currently 7.5 years and counting for fast-jet pilots and a fair chunk for the others. I know of one young man who has only been in the Air Force for a few years and has seen operational service, whereas those on the 'manned' system currently for the most part are just starting EFT after the same period!
The OCU will remain at Creech AFB as a permanent detachment of 54 Sqn, but after that 6 month course, Captaincy is achieved requiring only a weapons work up to achieve CRS.
The best part for guys who are like me in their 20's is that, due to this, the age limit is raised to 33, but I suspect it will still remain 26 for DE Pilots.
Hopefully we can keep this thread updated as more information becomes available. Good times for the RAF!