Originally Posted by
orca
I disagree with the concept that a uniformed pilot RN or RAF in the Red Air role is ‘wasted’ and they could be flying Blue.
I know that you’ll always get the puddles of folk who don’t seem to move on - but circulation is on the whole healthy and probably aids retention; so long as it’s well managed, doesn’t foul your career and quarters are good...
If your Red Air people are uniformed you have the opportunity to keep them vibrant and fresh in roles other than the frontline (or whatever we’re calling constant QRA and Simulator time these days!!) If your Red Air work for a contractor - expect to lose folk to the contractor.
Trust me, it’s wasted having people sat doing FJ Red Air; you simply cannot get the training required. If your metric is hours flown then sure. If your metric is capability, then it’s a waste. As I’ve already said, there is a constant stream of talented FJ pilots leaving anyway so they would be ideal candidates for contract Red Air.