2 Group Commercial Arm
OK, new thread required here after various arguments on Libya threads.
But whatever the merits or dismerits of those arguments, there does appear to be a gap between the capability of commercial operators, and the political deployability of military assets, particularly in degenerating political situations. Would a commercial arm of 2 Group be able to plug the gap?
Let us imagine that our existing 2 Group fleet was partially "civilianised", and some aircraft were available for charter at commercial rates. The advantages I see are as follows:
1) All aircrew would need to be civilian licensed - not unpopular! But would still get all the top operational flying practice that truckies enjoy - if not deployed commercially.
2) Aircrew would get plenty of diverse destinations - no need to justify going to Libya for "practice".
3) Some aircraft could be painted in civilian dayglo colours, so not regarded as threatening, and less risk of being mistaken as hostile, as occurred with the C130 shot at going into Libya. They would still be available for wartime reserve if necessary. This is the model followed by Civil Guards in some European countries, eg Securité Civile in France.
4) RAF would not be seen as taking trade from commercial operators, if they started moving in on commercial operators in slowly degenerating situations such as have occured in Libya - they would justifiably be regarded as a more muscular, robust service, available to be called upon - at a premium - as situation degrades.
5) Commercial status would stop rich companies such as oil companies and banks relying on taxpayer to evacuate their employees in situations of civil unrest - it would force companies to plan responsibly, and pay commercial rates if they misplanned.
6) HMG and FCO would have published guidelines to deploy commercial RAF aircraft - instead of being bounced into action by tabloid trial. There would also be clear guidelines as to when HMG started picking up the bill.
7) Commercial status would probably enable 2 Group to update their aircraft more regularly - no flying around in relics.
OK, just an idea scribbled out in a few minutes - but I don't see much dismerit in the idea.