Civil aircrew (who will be sponsored reservists) will also be used on RAF ops but I understand will be kept away from 'dangerous' zones. They will do all the boring day to day stuff....
I can't see that making for a very cohesive team - especially as if the civilian crews are paid the market rate for A330 long-haul pilots then they will be making more than their RAF colleagues.
Why, anyway, would sponsored reservists be kept away from "dangerous zones"? Other reservists carry out front-line jobs. I'd hazard a guess anyway that most of the civilian pilots will be ex-RAF anyway, and therefore potentially still on the reserve list.
Er, no ... I don't think he meant that "old thing" at all. The "old thing" is RAAF whilst the opening post is about the RAF.
And ours don't have the "tailhook" for deck landings
