AirTanker
I can see the advantage of a civilian setup for maintenance and training for the Voyager, as is carried out on several other aircraft types in RAF service.
Could someone explain the cost reasons why the MOD would want to employ civilian pilots to fly operational sorties? Presumably AirTanker have to pay the going rate for an equivalent airline salary (Virgin?) which is probably double the RAF Flt. Lt. salary. There have also been many surplus RAF trainees 'sacked, recently who could do the job much more cheaply when combined with the experienced ex VC10,TriStar etc. crews.
Pilots with no glass -cockpit experience, complete an Airbus type Rating course with no problems, coming out at the end of the Sim stage CatIII ready, and, with no Base Training, start on the Route training phase.
I can imagine interesting bar conversations when RAF crews meet up with the 'civvies' doing the same job for double the money!
Last edited by cessnapete; 7th Oct 2012 at 14:38.