It seems that the good old media have got / twisted the initial idea of these revised FTL's...
Here's how I heard it, and my observations on a few comments in a few of the above posts...
1. Crews will NOT be ORDERED to operate these flights. All required operations are planned to be on a voluntary basis with crews being asked if they want to perform them.
2. Possible extensions to FTL's will be advised to all crew in advance of them operating.
3. Rest periods may be cut to 9 hour periods, but crews will not be expected to fly multiple rotations - new crews will be arranged for each flight.
4. It does not come down to cost.
5. Reasoning behind seeking to get these FTL changes in place prior to any conflict is to ensure that Aircraft can be provided to recover casualties at the 'drop of a hat'.
6. Crews cannot be left in Cyprus. (There are reasons).
7. How many large Aircraft fitted with stretchers are just sitting around waiting to be chartered?
8. Idunno hits the nail on the head.
9. I asume the civil requirement is due to RAF aircraft operating elsewhere.
10. Planning a schedule to allow medivac flights... how do they know how many people are going to be injured?
Last edited by rentaghost; 11th Mar 2003 at 17:45.