Basically, because most civil pilots have never been subjected to the rigorous aptitude testing essential for military flying. How would anyone know whether a plain vanilla civvy had the additional levels of capacity required for effective formation management and the frequent in-flight mission re-planning demands essential in the AAR environment?
Many ex-truckies found AAR quite difficult to start with - and they were all experienced military aircrew who had demonstrated the required aptitude before being selected. And at least they knew how to l00kout of the flight deck windows when turning in close formation!
Of course there are many very capable civilian pilots. But someone whose has never been 'selected' and who has just self-funded their right hand seat postion with a LoCo could well be a considerable risk.
In any case, with shrinking RAF force levels, there would probably be plenty of well-qualified QSPs with AAR experience available to fill the 'reservist' slots with ATr.
Seriously Beagle....It is just tanking. Plenty of pilots undertake military aptitude testing and then opt for the airlines, and for those that haven't, a short and simple flight screening process would determine those likely to perform in the role (I passed, so it is not that demanding!).
Omega don't require ex-mil pilots and they do a fine job. In Australia we have civilian contracted aircraft providing tanker support (no choice), parachute training/display support, aircrew training (Yes, civilian instructors!) and admin transport to areas of operation (and tactical in the past!).
There are civilian pilots out there who are as good or better than the majority of military pilots; who are formation rated, aerobatic rated down to the ground, posess helicopter and fixed wing licences and fly airliners, freighters or air ambulances for a living.
Just put the applicants through aptitude testing and flight screening before posting them to a squadron, simple.
