AAC Islander crew selection board

[ACORN]

Has anyone seen the results of the Islander selection board yet?

I believe they were due out last Wednesday but certain individuals papers hadn't reached the board yet.

Not a pre-decided board by any chance

[Wile E Coyote]

Mmmmm..... I've heard this.

What I find strange is that the board was supposedly delayed because of a lack of applicants.

(If that is so, who were they waiting for, because shouldn't the board select from those applying bt the closure date?)

From what I could grasp, every man and his dog applied. (Mainly because of the flying rate in this forsaken place maybe).

AAC football team for the World Cup.
Hardest team to beat.............Keep moving the goalposts to suit !!!!

[Governormalfunction]

I'll wager 1 QHI from the 'Mecca' and someone from 5 Regt !!! Any takers?

[mutleyfour]

Didn't apply, but lets not rag the got to be in it to win it fraternity.

Do object to the QHI thing tho' as what a waste of tax payers money!

Guess MW as QHI wasnt as glam as he'd been led to believe!



:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[owe ver chute]

'Av not seen the list, was a QHI from EGVP on the list?
If this is true, then it's a complete U turn by the goal post moving specialist at Glasgow:rolleyes:
Maybe the recent crop of would be plank drivers, who have not made it to the end of the course, (for what ever reason) have caused a policy change.
Can't imagine why a QHI wouldn't be happy at the home of Army Avn:D
Keep doing it safely:)

[Wile E Coyote]

Only a rumour, but.....

Someone to remain nameless,

1. Hacked off with AAC leaves, slagging us all off on leaving the mess. (I was there)
2. With ATPL(A) gets nice job.
3. Sept 11 occurs.
4. Asks to re-join.
5. Gets accepted on whatever terms.
6. Applies/told to apply for certain course.
7. Is placed on said course.

[the future]
8. Job market picks up.
9. Person now having built up lots of ME hours courtesy of MCM applies for job.
10. Yet another slagging off, on the way out of the mess.

*end piece* what the f*MCM*k is going on?

[Hydraulic Palm Tree]

Wouldn't it be easier if the RAF flew them and then there wouldn't be any in house gripes, justified or not?

Anyway why does it take 120 hrs of fixed wing time to get a type and instrument rating which most military guys could get on an equivalent civvy aeroplane in about 20-30 hrs?

You could take the Pumas off our hands in exchange for the Islanders and then the SAMA AAC Mafia would be complete. No one else down there to get in your way!

HPT :cool:

[Tube Launched]

I believe stoofing in a Lynx is now a mandatory requirement for selection!!

[john du'pruyting]

having been out for a fair old while now,.....I do wish you'd name names, (appreciate of course that you won't!) It's just my curiosity getting to me....

[Muff Coupling]

Palm Tree mate,

I hear from an emerald toilet chum that a large % of the AAC Islander flight IS RAF! Couple of Albert blokes downsizing type on exchange. Bit of a manning problem by all accounts.

Could be a case of failure to invest in the past...lose it in the future perhaps!

[Jeep]

Muff:

Your maths is sadly very poor. The flt at the moment is 100% Army. The Herc mate that 1 Flt very kindly trained, is now at the other mil Islander unit.

HPT:

Now what mafia would that be? Seems to be running smoothly there at the moment. I wonder why that is?

Tube:

It is not mandatory as the last board has proved.

Wile:

Do you think the QHI that was selected is just going to do most of the course and do a bunk? Surely not. I always thought it a clever ploy at Middle Wallop as a QHI to intend to leave, and then get extended at MW because others had to be posted to the field Army. To leave and then negotiate terms of service to include the Isl course is sheer brilliance, if true. It is a bit worrying to hear the SNCO of the Regt in which I serve indicating that the board result in his case was already decided. Surely that is just a scurrilous rumour.

[BEagle]

Jeep - NTK! Apply it!!

[Hydraulic Palm Tree]

Muff

Jeep is indeed (as usual) correct. The RAF bloke left some time ago. However, the last boss is now on Hercs and at least one other ex Isl pilot is now wearing light blue.

Can't really understand why the AAC want this role given the hastle that the selection, training and retention proves to be for DAAvn/SAAvn. Giz a job :D

Jeep

All running smoothly because we have eventually cottoned on that the pair always wanted to hold hands, even when there was no need. Understand a bit of ash/gash and trash as a singleton is now in order.

HPT ;)

[Hydraulic Palm Tree]

Beagle

There is nothing SECRET or even vaguely RESTRICTED about there being a Station Flight at Northolt. If you are indeed insinuating that with the 'Need to Know' comment, then perhaps you might care to look at the Official RAF Web Site!!

http://www.raf.mod.uk/stations/f_stn.html

RAF Northolt: One of the key airfields in the defence of London during the Battle of Britain, Northolt became the major airport for London in 1946, until the new site at Heathrow opened. Transport Command continued using Northolt after this, and the role of providing VIP air transport is the major task of the airfield today. The unit based at Northolt responsible for VIP transport is No 32 (Royal) Squadron which operates 5 BAe125s, 2 BAe146s and 3 Squirrel HCC1s, and incorporates the aircraft of the former Queen's Flight. Lesser units based at Northolt include No. 1 (County of Middlesex) Maritime Headquarters Unit and a small Station Flight operating a single Islander CC2

HPT :cool:

[Sloppy Link]

It never ceases to amaze me that the only way to get on this Corps is to stand up in your pram and scream that you are going to throw your rattle out until you get what you want. Obviously, it therefore follows that those nearest the top have been the biggest tantrum throwers. If the individual concerned planned all this from the outset, then, as Jeep says, he is to be admired and not pilloried.

[G.Khan]

What a lot of fuss - If one wants the job that badly why not go down the road, show your PPL (fixed wing) and do a twin endorsement on the BN2, return to base, flash said endorsement and ask Them to explain how they could possibly justify NOT giving you the job, since you are already type rated and will save them oodles of dosh?
:rolleyes:

[Jeep]

Bugle:

Get stuffed.

HPT:

Giz a job? Are you asking for a transfer to the Air Corps? I can send you the papers if you wish. It will certainly make a change for us to do the poaching.

[Sloppy Link]

Mr Khan. That has been tried by more than one person but the Corps has far more fun cutting off it's nose just to give it's face a lesson. The short answer is with anything, as soon as you introduce a selection process, you are going to upset more people than you please. Two pages (and probably some more) on Pprune bears me out.
(Edited because I forgot to use the spool chucker)

[Chicken Leg]

Lets get the facts and the record straight.

RIGHTS
Yes I did get my ATPL last year. Yes I did sign off. Yes Sept 11th happened and yes I did sign back on as a result.

WRONGS
When I signed off at no time did I slag off the Mess, the Army or any individual and if WlLE E COYOTE is suggesting that it was me that he heard doing so, he is a liar. When I signed back on there were no secret deals or handshakes and no jobs were either offered or asked for. I applied for the Islander slot just like a truck load of others in response to the signal that everyone else had access to. Still no secret deals or handshakes. I get the slot.

Am I trying to enhance my CV? Yes probably, but I have to give a 3-year return of service, which will put me within 3 years of a pension. Now even those of you with sour grapes on one shoulder and chips on the other have got to admit that I’m unlikely to leave at that point. This means that I will effectively give a 6-year return. How many of you who applied and were not selected, could say the same? More to the point, how many of you who posted adverse comments about my selection applied?

Now if anyone disputes the facts above, they are of course welcome to give me a call to discuss it. I would especially like to hear from WILE E COYOTE if he is indeed suggesting that it was me he heard slagging off all and sundry. Just in case you amaze me and actually do want to call me, my contact details are as follows:

Martin McGrath
MW ext. 4286

[Percycat]

'As these are anonymous forums the origins of the contributions may be opposite to what may be apparent. In fact the press may use it, or the unscrupulous, to elicit certain reactions.,'

However, in Martin's case, I doubt it!:mad:

[Wile E Coyote]

Chicken, (OOOh didn't like it in the outside world)

Better than that, I'll pop down/over/across, if you don't stop the gate guard letting me in. Put the kettle on.

Correct.

I'm convinced it was you.
(But I'd want to forget it too, now you're back in the Corps.)

I couldn't apply, but can still express my opinion in the injustice of this selection process.

Wrong(s).

You obviously asked for a job, how else did you get selected?

The fact that the Corps is so short of QHIs, how can it let one go onto fixed wing?

Pleeeese let me in, of course I'll sign for 3 do you want more?
Ha Ha Ha


;) "Lighten up Francis"

[ACORN]

I'm glad this has produced so much interest. However, it seems to have gone astray.
Interesting to see what people are thinking about selection boards.
You all sound so paranoid.

Chicken Leg & Wile E Coyote.

Especially knowing the pair of you, I'm suprised neither of you know who the other is. (or do you?)

Good Luck on the course, sure you'll pass.:eek:

[G.Khan]

I really would like to see just what kind of a selection board is necessary for a BN2 position, (yes, over 500 hours on type, way back),

Perhaps fellow PRuNers might suggest the type of questions and the object of such a selection board?;)

[Jeep]

G Khan:

The job is a desirable one, as it is viewed as a resettlement course by some, by others as something different from the norm. When you realise that some >95% of Army Pilots fly rotary, any chance to break into the plank world is going to attract a lot of applicants. In order that everyone gets a fair chance, a board is needed. It also gives the system a chance to weed out the undesirables, be it in respect of experience, character or Northern accent. In these days of equal opportunity, the selection board process is about as fair as it gets. Having failed to be selected for Islander a few years ago, I find that hard to admit, but since I have now been a member of an Islander selection board, tis the truth.

As for 1 Flt, during the 3 years I have been associated with it, not one pilot has had anything other than good words to say about the Flt or the job. I would encourage any Army pilot out there that wishes to have a change, adventure and some varied & challenging flying, to apply at the next signal.

As for QHI applying on the board, I am personally against it, as we are short of QHI, particularly in the Field Army, but why should anyone be barred from the selection of a good number? There is the sticky problem of using the Flying Record Folder and flying reports as a basis for selection, as most QHI FRF will be full of half decent reports. I'm sure the board takes that into account though.

Chicken Leg:

Well done on your selection, tis a shame I didn't know you were applying, I would have encouraged a few of my hard working QHI mates from the Field Army to give you some fair competition.

If you find out who Wile is, do let me know.

[MightyGem]

Jeep, I understand that you are off to pastures new shortly. I wasn't aware that they made a version with an enlarged cockpit
:D
Anyway, enjoy yourself, and... have a nice day!

Dave
http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/aircraft/3flypigs.gif

[Chicken Leg]

WILE E COYOTE

I’m confused. You sarcastically asked whether I disliked it in the outside world and you mentioned that the reason I am no longer slagging off the job is because I am now back in the Corps. You also stated when describing me in one of your previous posts that I had a “nice job”. I never left the Corps and I never had another job. Do you actually know me or are you just making these statements because somebody’s mate’s dog’s uncle told you it was true?

JEEP
I doubt that I will be able to let you know who the above person is as I’m not convinced he will ever tell me and as an infrequent user of this site, I don’t suppose I’ll work it out on my own! Maybe some of you other guys will bubble him!

[G.Khan]

Thanks JEEP, understood now. In my day, (1964/5) if one was RASC or REME etc. one went to Beavers, everyone else went Rotary regardless - but that was the day of the Integrated Flight which has long since ceased to exist I believe.

With the amount of wit available here on PPRuNe I thought a few suggestions on what a board might consist of or the questions they might ask would provide a few smiles!:)

[Sloppy Link]

Mr Khan
Just so you don't get the wrong end of the cyclic, the board, as Jeep says is probably the fairest way of selecting the best (in the eyes of the AAC) individual for the job but it is a secret board......the individual is not present. Because of this, when results come out, those not selected or friends of those not selected spout off without really knowing what went on. This of course then promotes speculation and rumour with insinuation of hidden agendas which is why you, I, and others are on this site. Without the boarding system, Ppruners would have nothing to talk about and a dull life would be had by all. Maintaining the present system is good for this site......wait until the results of the next board (SSC (LE)?) are published and stand well back!

[stas-fan]

Will applying for this board be financial suicide with the PAS (spec aircrew for all) announcement not yet in print. Does anyone else think it is no accident that the info on the rules for that are slow in the making for a good reason?

Oh, and has anyone Army had a sniff of the retention money pt 2 promised 18 months ago? :)

[G.Khan]

Er.....yes. Looks as though I got it wrong in all directions!:o

I imagined a board of senior officers sitting and inviting candidates in to answer their questions and state their reasons, obviously not so.

Thanks all - see you at Wattisham on the 25th?

[Jeep]

Stas F:

Give the civvie pay people at Glasgow a break. They have had little notice of having to make such a payment. After all it was only Mar 01 that the announcement in Westminster was made, and as they managed to pay it 6 months late last year, surely they don't feel any pressure to pay it yet.

I know the pay bloke at my unit got the applications to Glasgow early Apr, because he played a blinder and came around the unit to get it all squared away. Once it goes to Glasgow though, who knows how tricky it is to input all the details into the pay computer (i'm only guessing its a puter, it may be a ledger, or worse PAMPAS/UNICOM).

Strange how the form last year allowed you to claim 2 years, but this year Army applicants had to submit a new form. Perhaps the other forms were lost, or they were not sure who would not be around the next year.

Gives us something to moan about though eh.

Khan:

If I was to be on a board with an Islander applicant in front of me, I would ask:

a. "If you saw a load of sparks in the area of the windscreen and behind the dashboard of your Islander, would you write an incident signal to alert other crews as to a static discharge phenomenon, or would you think it completely normal?"

b. "If you were just checking your mail on a Sunday and the REME asked you to conduct a taxi check, would you bother to change into your growbag or just crack on past RHQ in your civvies?"

c. "Would you let the Regimental QHI fly more than twice during his tour with a 1 Flt aircraft?"

d. "Do you think you would be able to get on with a red haired instructor?"

e. "Should the RAF take over the roll of 1 Flt, would you be willing to transfer if the transfer came with free uniforms?"

They would be the first 5 is suspect :)

MightyGem:

Thankfully the Japanese and the same designers that put 9 troop seats in a Lynx didnt design it. Still playing dixon of dock green?

[mutleyfour]

Gosh, this is more entertaining than the snooker!:p :p

[Sloppy Link]

Battering your b****cks flat with a tent mallet is more entertaining than watching snooker.

[bob2]

Jeep.

Ref pt b. I think your find that that was the (on loan) RAF chap, probable standard practice in the RAF ??????

[Governormalfunction]

WILE E COYOTE you really do need to get a life!!! Why are you so bitter and twisted? Where do you get your int from? Chicken Leg never left, he signed off and then withdrew, whats the problem with that? You are indeed a very sad individual.

[I'll get you....]

Jeep,
Good to see you offer the sensible advice. Not often people on the forum remember the real facts of life. The individuals throughout the Services who believe they are the centre of attention deserve all they whinge about. Most of us are on the same team and don't forget it. Including those on selection boards. Those who don't like it - try life outside as a security guard.

[The Apprentice]

I think your all very cruel picking on somone who wants to....

A. drink coffee with his feet on the dash while the thing flies itself...

B. Not live in a basher for a considerable number of years...

Oh sorry thats why he was going to civi street anyway,

Keeping a good man in by bribing them to stay is exactly what the FRI is all about, are you getting it ?

Quit winging, you joined the Army and OUR new toy is going to be even more fun.

[Centralize]

So how about offering an exchange job to the RN??

[Sloppy Link]

Too late, Mr Centralize, that has already been bagged by....an Army bloke who went to you! Confusing I know but all will become clear in next weeks episode of...
(edited because I forgot about the spill chack)