Stop the Air Corps - I want to get off!

[ChristopherRobin]

Hi chaps! Well it has finally come to the point where I can take no more, d'you hear?

Having realised that there is nothing more to look forward to in the AAC than staff job after staff job I have belatedly decided that the RAF is the place for me. No promotion and plenty of flying sounds like a fair deal to me. What have we got as an alternative in the Army Air Corps?

Well it's this: The Director faces pressure because he has staff jobs to fill. No jollies for anyone, because if he can't fill the aviation staff jobs, then there's no way you'll be let go for any other type of job (e.g. MA to Washington springs to mind - sigh)

He has stated at the Captains' Info day that the AAC needs to have as many of its chaps promoted to General as possible to look after the corps, much in keeping with the rest of the army.

Working back from this, the only people who will get to be Generals are staff college guys and good luck to them. But a future AAC General would find it beneficial to have had experience on Apache. Therefore to get on Apache as the OC Sqn, you'll have to go to staff college.

B%gger.

So basically that's me out - no problem, but if there is anyone out there who has transferred from AAC to RAF could they please let me know if:

a- the capbadge transfer timebar stops you from transferring to the RAF, or is it just to stop you leaving the Army?

and

b- When you announce your intention does your flying pay take a hit as it does when one PVR's?

And in a rhetorical sense can anyone answer me this:

- If the AAC is swamped by applications from Officer Cadets yet 35% undermanned in the Captain's bracket, then why has nobody noticed that this shows a strong correlation with when people start doing jobs that make sticking hot needles into your eyes seem more attractive?

I think we should be told.

But if anyone has any advice or help to give then I'd be very glad to hear it.

RAF here I come - hopefully.. .May the Lord have Mercy on my soul.

[ 20 February 2002: Message edited by: ChristopherRobin ]</p>

[ewe.lander]

Chris,

To my knowledge there are at least 6 of us, ex-AAC serving in the RAF. Before I would dare to give you an opinion on if you are better off or not with us, i'd ask which fleet you aspire to join, makes a big difference!!

If you want to change from Lynx to Support Helicopters - could be a case of frying pan to fire! If you want loads of hours, with a bit more comfort - try multi-engine, forget what the whingers say...tis a fairly good life.

The grass is always greener though, I do miss a busy Lynx 5 duty out of R850...............

[ChristopherRobin]

Yes, but Lynx is but a dim distant memory to be sighted only occasionally across the sweeping vista of my desk.

I would like to go SAR or Chinook.

Although if someone said Alberts I can't say I'd be disappointed!

[ewe.lander]

Both SAR and Chinook have ex-AAC or exchange pilots, suggest you talk directly to the 7 Sqn exchange bod, or the ex-AAC QHI on SAR.

Bit of a AAC mafia starting to form at the secret Wiltshire base, both 'K' and 'J' would be good place to start flying multi's,and it seems that ab-initios will now be on the 'J' OCU.

Before you get too excited (!), talk to Innsworth, see if it's a starter, dont burn your rickety bridge yet!

[ChristopherRobin]

yep thanks for all that mate, already spoken - they've no probs, I was wondering more what the hassles from the AAC on departure may be.

Don't get me wrong, love the AAC, just don't like the list of SO3/SO2 posts stretching off into my twilight years...

[ewe.lander]

Chris,

Talk to the RAF geezer (very recently AAC) holding at the biggest grass airfield in rural Hampshire - he will know all the transfer pitfalls.

[PercyDragon]

This is just a thought..based on my own experieneces. I was flying in AAC then got an 'exchange'posting to 72 Sdn RAF back in 1970.. .I then went Civi and accumulated over 7000 rotary hours, until I gave it all up.. .I know that, when you are young and bushy tailed you just want to fly. Nothing else seems to matter. But just try and think a bit more long term. (Trust me on this).. .I can tell you now that when you get a bit longer in the tooth and have built up a lot of hours you will start to regret ever having sit in a b******. .helicopter in the first place. In fact you will start looking at those sitting behind a desk in some nice comfortably office job with considerable envy. But there we go. Best of luck . .anyway.

[Owd Yella]

Chris, give me a call at 95818 7202 tommorrow and I'll give the 'spiel' from ex-pongo perspective. I'm one of the chaps that EWE was referring to!

[ChristopherRobin]

cheers guys! Owd Yella I'd love to call, but I'm deployed overseas at the minute and mil calls are a bit of a pain, but if you can email me at [email protected] I'd very much appreciate it!

Thanks again.

[Muff Coupling]

CR;. .Having seen / know some AAC who have come across over the last decade, I can offer a couple of thoughts.

The key word is "requirement".. . . .Sadly, it is that very word that has forced your hand to attempt the break. For all those young thrusting Captains aspiring to Apache conversion and Attack Sqn command, beware, the "requirement" of the AAC (dictated by the wider Army)is to feed the staff chain. No if's or but's. . .The "requirement" for DE Officer as QHI's and ETPS is paultry (5-7 max). Clearly, then, specialist aircrew (soon to be PA)is the way of the RAF and to a lesser degree FA. Any dreams of specialisation and extended flying tours for the boys are just that!

Your position on inter-service transfer is effectively on "requirement" (see QRs). As long as the other service has that requirement for what ever expedient at the time..and they want to take you..your are almost there. Hence, the wadge of A2 - B1 Rotary WO QHIs in the mid - late 90s and a couple of experienced, but capable line pilots as well. Essentially, at that time a gentlemens agreement between DAAvn / CAS and the relevent MCM/PMA's. However, when the flood gates opened, and student pilots in the APC cycle started began calling Binnsworth, the alarm bells sounded and the tap was turned off slightly.

The RAF currently has a shortfall of experienced pilots, so the "requirement" is there, and you will of course potentially save loads of dosh in training time, as well as bringing some wider experience to the party.

Worth bearing in mind that the AAC is in effect, also short of pilots! A mate in the org, tells me that they are short of Majors (about 10%) and a wagon load of DE Captains (35% as stated in your post), commissions from the ranks are being used as top cover. If all Officers are pilots...then by definition...regardless of wether they are shining desks as staff..there is a shortage..or does 2+2 = 5?

The question for you..will they let you go ahead of any "requirement" to complete terms of service or appointment? (Depends what rank and where you are?)Bearing in mind the higher the rank and staff appointment, the harder to backfill. First action is an up front cards on the table formal letter through your staff chain...then boat loads of form filling.

A rotary chap I know well, who came across, has not looked back. His only regret was not doing it sooner...not much help I know, just a few thoughts..good luck in whatever flying post you get drafted.

[ChristopherRobin]

MC - thanks. You are right of course that the Army needs desk johnnies, so therefore if one doesn't want to do that one has to get going!

Wish I'd done it earlier too, but I naively thought that 'it'd be ok'. It isn't.

Thanks for all the advice chaps!

[ol_benkenobi]

Chris / Ewe.lander

“The exchange Bod” at 7 Sqn is doing just that. Exchanging Capt for Flt Lt and Spec Aircrew. Not a bad gauge as to his feelings on the subject. I shall pass on your enquiry and email Chris.