Fleet Air Arm aviators will never rise up to high rank within the Navy unless they hold a Bridge Watchkeeping ticket which many are reluctant to do. . .Its funny really, all the amounts are the same, just termed a little different. Your 38/16 point is our (and yours presumably) IPP - Initial Pension Point, however it is really a 37/16 point as you have had to have served 16 years from age 21, therefore the earliest you can get it is on your 37th birthday, only if you joined age 20 and 354 days or under. Confused ?? You bet!. .We have been briefed on the change of career path as well. Stay as you are with a chance of promotion to semi high rank, keeping flying pay, or apply for Spec Aircrew (called something else but essentially the same), have promotion curtailed but get more basic pay with flying pay subsumed and hence now pensionable. Tricky choice methinks, as the RN Spec Aircrew will be at the beck and call to fill any gash appointment, especially as some of these will invariably be at Sea (which is to be avoided at all cost!!). Anyway we'll see .......... .Didnt see any mention of our aircrewmen, hopefully this will come out in a few months.
Just the rambling thoughts of a happier Naval Aviator.
[ 29 January 2002: Message edited by: Oggin Aviator ]</p>