RPASP brevet change

[BVRAAM]

I was talking to an RPASP (blue wreath) last night and apparently, all blue wreaths are being changed to the normal, standard brown wreath for "proper" (for lack of a better word) pilots, again.

Has anybody else heard any similar rumours?

This is good news for me if it's true, because it then brings the branches closer together to make a flyable aeroplane crossover more likely, if I had to settle for that route initially.

[Tankertrashnav]

OK, hands up everyone who had to Google RPSAP :O

[BEagle]

Presumably only those drone operators who have completed the normal flying training course to 'Wings' standard would be entitled to wear the normal RAF Flying Badge?

[WingsofRoffa]

Very highly doubt it.

[Wensleydale]

interestingly (perhaps), all of the flying badges issued after the old AEO/AEOp "AE" badge have not been correctly authorised and cannot officially be worn on uniform. This includes all of the FC, IA, AT and WSO badges as well as the blue RPAS pilot badge (Source is the excellent book by Wg Cdr Jefford, "Observers and Navigators"). It seems that the badges have not been submitted to the monarch for approval through the correct channels. Indeed, when the RPAS badge was designed, questions were asked and nobody knew the correct procedure for approval as several offices no longer existed. A new system was developed - and even then the RPAS badge did not follow the correct route and was authorised by the wrong person. Perhaps the biggest foul up was the FC badge: flying badge authorisation and training was the responsibility for AOC Training Command and his nose was somewhat put out of joint when he saw photographs of AOC 11 Group pinning unknown FC badges on chests at Lossiemouth without his knowledge of the training being given or the new badge. I had heard that one solution to this problem is to use old badges instead, with the old RO radio observers' badge previously issued to night fighter "navigators" being touted as a catch-all for the incorrect currently issued badges until the whole issue is finally sorted. Perhaps the issue of the correctly authorised for wear brown pilots' badge is to replace the blue unauthorised for wear for drone pilots to get around this administrative nightmare? (Perhaps we should colour them red so we can discover the new home for the Red ROs, but this is a different thread).

[BVRAAM]

Beags, yeah that seemed like the case to me, too? But apparently not.

Cheers, WD! That is certainly interesting.

Very highly doubt it.

It does sound too good to be true, doesn't it?

[Pure Pursuit]

It’s all to do with Protector. RPAS pilots will be recieve IFR ratings and as such, will be able to cross over onto manned platforms. As a result, the badge is changing in line with that. By all accounts, it’s happening.

Heard it from RPAS Staneval just a few weeks ago.

fingers crossed for the guys being awarded RRP too. They absolutely earn it.

[charliegolf]

Presumably only those drone operators who have completed the normal flying training course to 'Wings' standard would be entitled to wear the normal RAF Flying Badge?

Ah, but what's 'normal' flying training these days? The future has arrived. :E

CG

[WingsofRoffa]

It’s all to do with Protector. RPAS pilots will be recieve IFR ratings and as such, will be able to cross over onto manned platforms. As a result, the badge is changing in line with that. By all accounts, it’s happening.

Heard it from RPAS Staneval just a few weeks ago.

fingers crossed for the guys being awarded RRP too. They absolutely earn it.

That being said, I cannot imagine the RAF ever letting a DE RPAS(P) migrate over to a manned platform.

[First_In_Last_Out]

Unfortunately with the current outflow levels and the length of time "normal" flying training is taking....I can absolutely see them doing that..

[Surplus]

Unfortunately with the current outflow levels and the length of time "normal" flying training is taking....I can absolutely see them doing that..

As long as they use them in single seat A/C, knock yourselves out, try to get them in an A/C with more than one seat and you're going have problems.

[WingsofRoffa]

As long as they use them in single seat A/C, knock yourselves out, try to get them in an A/C with more than one seat and you're going have problems.

Putting RPAS pilots through basic and advanced FJ training... I really can’t see it myself. I would say they’d be better suited to flying one of the ISTAR assets, putting them through the (now outsourced) ME course will be much cheaper and more efficient than sending them FJ.

[Easy Street]

I think people need to relax a bit. It's not as if the current RAF flying badge is a ticket to fly everything: a 3000hr FJ pilot has to do a multi-engine crossover or the whole of RW flying training before being allowed to start an OCU on those types. Why on earth would it be different for a RPASP changing stream?

[WingsofRoffa]

I think people need to relax a bit. It's not as if the current RAF flying badge is a ticket to fly everything: a 3000hr FJ pilot has to do a multi-engine crossover or the whole of RW flying training before being allowed to start an OCU on those types. Why on earth would it be different for a RPASP changing stream?

The FJ Pilot you speak of is in the ‘pilot’ branch, the RPAS Pilot is in the RPAS(P) branch. That must make a difference?

[camelspyyder]

That being said, I cannot imagine the RAF ever letting a DE RPAS(P) migrate over to a manned platform.



Are there any DE RPAS(P) ?
Most RPAS(P) were already serving Officers in other branches AFAIK.

Added to which, they have previously let non-pilots wearing N, AE, LM, and E crossover to Pilot so why not RPAS pilots too?

[downsizer]

DE RPAS(P) have been recruited for a while now.

[BVRAAM]

For the record, the guy I talked to is a former ATCO, crossed over to RPAS(P) and is a blue wreath. He has operational experience on MQ-1, 9 and is currently a Protector STANEVAL pilot.

This is excellent news for anybody in the RPAS(P) branch who wants to cross over, and I am pretty happy about it because it opens options.

[Warren Peace]

For the record, the guy I talked to is a former ATCO, crossed over to RPAS(P) and is a blue wreath. He has operational experience on MQ-1, 9 and is currently a Protector STANEVAL pilot.

This is excellent news for anybody in the RPAS(P) branch who wants to cross over, and I am pretty happy about it because it opens options.

I think I know the guy you mean.

He is, was, an exceptional case due to his pre Shawbury holding experience.

[BVRAAM]

I think I know the guy you mean.

He is, was, an exceptional case due to his pre Shawbury holding experience.

DW?

Very nice guy.

[Lima Juliet]

Oh no, someone call the Nurse. The old folks home is waking up...


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/266x200/image_8d527d6e842aadb72e6b7c2128647de95f4821bf.gif

“In my day to get a Flying Badge you had to get to get up to go to Met before you went to bed. Lick the aircraft clean with our tongues. Go to the feeder for breakfast for a cup of cold gravel. Paid the Chief Clerk fourpence and six for the privilege of serving and when we got to the briefing the QFI would slice us in two with a bread knife...”

”Luxury! And we never complained...”

”Aye, and if we crashed all the Instructors would dance on our grave and sing Hallelujah!”

”Yup, tell the kids of today and they would never believe ya...”

”Aye...”

:p

[BVRAAM]

Oh no, someone call the Nurse. The old folks home is waking up...


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/266x200/image_8d527d6e842aadb72e6b7c2128647de95f4821bf.gif

“In my day to get a Flying Badge you had to get to get up to go to Met before you went to bed. Lick the aircraft clean with our tongues. Go to the feeder for breakfast for a cup of cold gravel. Paid the Chief Clerk fourpence and six for the privilege of serving and when we got to the briefing the QFI would slice us in two with a bread knife...”

”Luxury! And we never complained...”

”Aye, and if we crashed all the Instructors would dance on our grave and sing Hallelujah!”

”Yup, tell the kids of today and they would never believe ya...”

”Aye...”

:p

Harsh banter!


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/560x481/laughingemoji_560_jpeg_13187d88d12e4cbc9c03cb3ce9d96d3f13f6c c5f.jpg

[Flopgun]

It's happened! I think RPAS will also be moved into a stream of pilot, and will no longer be recruited or CBAT'd seperatley.

[Fareastdriver]

When I started flying training at Tern Hill we had to push our Provost T1s out of the hanger and position them on the line before met briefing.

[Flopgun]

When I started flying training at Tern Hill we had to push our Provost T1s out of the hanger and position them on the line before met briefing.

What's a Provost T1?

[Flopgun]

They'll be doing exactly the same at WAD with protector when it's not only providing invaluable surveillance and strike capability around the globe, but , helping us all at home with prolonged disaster and terror surveillance also. Same briefs, You're just not sat in the thing, plus they can fly manned platforms now too...

[charliegolf]

When I started flying training at Tern Hill we had to push our Provost T1s out of the hanger and position them on the line before met briefing.

To be fair FED, that was very nearly the century before last!:ok:

CG

[Corporal Clott]

It's happened! I think RPAS will also be moved into a stream of pilot, and will no longer be recruited or CBAT'd seperatley.

Pilot(ISR)RPAS will still be recruited separately, different CBAT (although they will do some of the manned CBAT), different med standard - however, for those that do pass the manned CBAT, do have the extra med standard and do prove themselves above the average then some will be given the chance to cross-over to manned aircraft types (and rightly so). Also, for those that don’t cross-over but do have the above-average assessment then they can promote to Sqn Ldr, Wg Cdr and beyond, thus having a full career like anyone else in the Flying Branch (which could include Flt Cdr, Sqn Cdr and Stn Cdr). So this is a big change, but rightly so, in that they are now truly a separate ‘stream’ within the Pilot sub-specialisation. Recruiting and Retention pay is next and this year’s Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) report stated that they would look into this now - especially as there are £100-£150k/yr jobs out there waiting for MQ-1/MQ-9 experienced pilots and sensor operators.

In my opinion, the sub-branch is finally coming of age from the initial Trial DAEDALUS of 8 years ago. Good news.