Apache to be flown by Floppy Jocks!!!!!!!

[rotor head]

A friend of mine, (and before you say it no it isn't me pretending to have this friend), seems to be of the opinion that the majority of the first Apache squadron(656) will be made up of converted floppy jocks. Can this possibly be true? I know that their airframes are going to be phased out eventually, but is that a good enough reason to let them run lose with our newest machine? (only kidding). I'm curious to find out if anyone has heard anything similar, or indeed knows the plan.
Answers on a postcard, etc......

[Mach the Knife]

Well why on earth not? It's just another helicopter, how hard can it be?

[angrycat]

Cheaper to pay for one conversion Gazelle To AH, than have 2 step process GAZ to LX and then LX to AH. The accountant always wins :p

[I.P Stop]

I think it has always been the plan, however I now don't really think it matters as most gazelles will hopefully be around for a little while longer. Yes it is one awesome piece of hardware- and on the other hand also just another helicopter. You sound surprised that Gz jocks will fly it, why?
"run lose with our newest machine?"
Are you the secetary of state for defence?

[The Pilgrim]

Can I suggest that the arse that started this subject takes his head out of whatever dark hole he has managed to get it stuck in and get a real life.

And no I am not a "Floppy Jock" just a ver experienced realist.

[fone_effect]

IP in reply to your question:You sound surprised that Gz jocks will fly it, why?It's a well known fact you are all 5hite pilots. That is why you are kept well away from the Twin Tq Monster, unless invited. So please get back into your relevant boxes and be grateful that you allowed to fly anything at all.

[dwaynedibley]

F_E. A well structured statement, or B., reinforcing my belief in care in the community. Believe me, we are Sooo grateful to be flying....and to grace the same dispersal as our lard eating brethren...words fail me...for now.

[BEagle]

Disregarding all the nonsense about whether one or other helicopter is the more important/tactically useful/demnding to operate etc, what is the current state of play on AAC progress with forming an operational Apache squadron? It all seems to have gone very quiet ever since the first WAH64 first appeared.........but then you could also say the same thing about the EF2000 TypHoon, I suppose!

[floppyjock]

I remember a QHI telling me when I joined the 1 Reg, that some people are sent on Lynx because their just not cut out for flying solo and still need supervision when they leave Wallop.

Floppy

[fone_effect]

Floppyjock, I think you may be right in what you say. Thank god for the other member of the lynx crews to keep one company and make tea when things are a bit slow. I expect you get loads of solo time these days, with the lack of competent pilots to take along. There is a place for everyone in your world I suppose.

[How Low...?]

Floppy Jock - fone_effect

Any chance of you 2 carrying on with your willy waving squabble somewhere else, and allow for some decent responses to BEagle's question above - if there is an answer! :confused:

[floppyjock]

How Low - Fone_Effect

I was only passing on a comment made to me by a QHI. Hit a raw nerve then did I ?

Floppy :-)

[mkeane]

The big round wheelie thing goes round and around!!

Many years ago - 21 in my case, the same argument was being made when it was decided to put Gazelle pilots on to the Lynx. "Surely not" was the cry, "Scout pilots are the best suited all around best pilots who can fly the Lynx bestly". I was a youngish Scout pilot at the time so I went along with the propaganda only to find that with the correct training and practice ANY pilot can fly the Lynx. I think we might find this the case with the Apache. The only problem I can see from this forum is finding enough mature Lynx pilots to make up the numbers ;) ;)

Take care out there :p

[Gainesy]

So how many Apaches have actually been delivered? Two, Three? Are they still at Boscombe or in AAC hands at all yet?

[You Aint Seen Me. Roit!]

Gainesy

The problem with sarcasm is that you look a bit of a prat when your statements are inaccurate or if you are misinformed.

The number of Apaches at Wallop is well into double figures and the first one was delivered there nearly 18 months ago.

If you were in the AAC you would have known that and if you were a Fishhead you probably wouldn't have been so stupid as to make such an ill informed coment. Therefore you must be a Crab.

This means you probably believe that you lot should have the machine for yourselves, but know deep down that it will never happen.

You therfore feel the need to do your best to undermine us lot who have got it. And who are keeping it.

There never has been a delay in the delivery of the aircraft, well not a significant one anyway. The problems so far are with the training devices.

As a pilot with the vast amount of experience and time that I am sure you would like us all to believe that you have got,(!) this will not be much of a surprise. Technology of this magnitude is sure to have teething problems, Typhoon for example. Actually, the fact that we have the aircraft on time, if not the training package is a bit of an achievement me thinks. (You probably don't though)

Gainesy.......Gainesy........you still there? No, thought not.

[ 06 December 2001: Message edited by: You Aint Seen Me. Roit! ]

[ 06 December 2001: Message edited by: You Aint Seen Me. Roit! ]

[Ed Winchester]

You Aint Seen Me Roit,

The problem with assuming someone is a 'crab' when you haven't even got the nous to check their profile is that you look a bit of a prat when your statements are inaccurate or you are misinformed.

If you were a Crab you would have known that and if you were a Fishhead you probably wouldn't have been so stupid as to make such an ill-informed comment etc, etc

Will there be enough room for your teddy bears in the Apache cockpit? Chill yer herbs.

As for you having the Apache and keeping it -
http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/mica/tossometer.gif

I'll keep my LOA and obscenely large amount of flying pay.

Saying that, I wouldn't mind a cabbie if there's a spare seat!

Y'aint seen me.....Y'aint seen me......you still there? B*gger, thought you might be.

[Gainesy]

You Aint Seen Me--or my profile.
I'm not a crab/fishead/pongo/bootie/pilot.
No sarcasm intended, purely a simple question.
After seeing on TV one or two being delivered to MW some months ago I've not seen or heard anything; and no, I'm not fishing for a story, I was just asking...idle interest is all. But thanks for the reply anyway.
Cheers
Gainesy

[You Aint Seen Me. Roit!]

Gainsey,

Ok, Ok you got me. I was a bit over the top wasn't I? Apologies.

Ed,

Yep you too. Touche on the post. I've got my coat.

[Ed Winchester]

Y'aint seen me,

No worries dude, I just saw the opportunity and dived in there!

Merry Xmas

http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/reindeer.gif

[BEagle]

Even more daft is the first Astor squadron being commanded by a pongo Lt Col - and the Army thinking that it can put people trained on light aircraft and helicopters into the right hand seat of a M0.9/FL 500 multi-pilot aeroplane with nothing more than a manufacturer's course.....such courses being designed only to cater for pilots arriving with an ATPL/IR!

[FireyFred]

A serious question for the AAC chaps. I was in a Defence Studies lecture recently and the Apache raised its head again. Has the Army begun to work on the doctrine of using the machine on the Battle Field yet? If not when will the AAC be able operate with it as a potent weapon? In anticipation of a reasonable answer, thank you.

[The Bonk]

Fiery Fred

Apache = Apache AH Mk1 (AH).
Doctrine = Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP)(for us at the coal face).
No longer battlefield, called battlespace.
AH is not just a weapon, it is a capability.

If you look back through the threads I asked this question as a wannabe QWI/QHTI/HWI etc and was directed 'off line' to DAAvn where undoubtedly something has been going on in the last few years as they were not only able to answer my immediate questions/concerns but also invite me down to show me what state the whole AH doctrine gambit is.

Also some of the Captains returning back to the Regts who went with the same questions as you and I came back with the answers they were looking for on this subject. Apparently there is a huge encompassing tactics manual thingy that is being staffed up everyones hoop before hitting us lot. I must be honest I haven't seen it and it could be DAAvn 'make believe' to keep everyone off their back and stop asking these kind of questions!

I think that we all underestimated some of the work that has already been done. It isn't planned to be with us in the field army until late 2003/2004 I think, so actually it appears that they are ahead of the game.

Am I really saying this!!.....right I'm off to find something else to have a good whinge about....