Skilled Pilot Entry

[Barry Murphy]

Good Day,

Anyone ever heard of an Air Force allowing skilled civilian pilots to fly military aircraft?

In Canada, the Air Reserve does allow skilled pilots to fly the CH-146 Griffon or the CT-142 Gonzo, a Dash 8 variant for radar navigation training.

I'm curious if other Air Forces have tried this concept and how it resulted.

Barry

[dakkg651]

DHFS at RAF Shawbury and SARTU at Valley utilises civilians for 40% of their instructor force although they are all ex military.

The Volunteer Gliding Squadrons of the Air Training Corps also use civilian instructors to operate their Grob Vigilants and Vikings.

[Trim Stab]

Air Tanker recently placed an advert in FI for a A330 TRI/TRE, and there was no stipulation that the candidate be a former QSP - just that the candidate should be able to acquire sponsored reserve status.

I expect though that ex-QSPs will be at a very substantial advantage for the TRI/TRE post and for line pilot positions once recruitment starts in earnest, supposedly next year.