UAS 's to close (Merged)

[50+Ray]

Oh dear, how thoroughly depressing. 10 hours a year of assorted air experience in Das Teutor will do what exactly for the student who wants to fly in the RAF?
Sad destruction of another example of my upbringing. RIP UAS.

[Flik Roll]

It's great for those that are there for a bit of a jolly and a giggle, but there are some of us who are there to do it properly and are now rushing to finish the syllabus before it gets stopped.
Anything going to change bursary wise?

[neilmac]

UAS Stuff

DK338 + Skylark4
Yes we are staffed for 7 day week, that encompasses though National Standy and Operational Commitments which of course means then we can 'support weekend AEF operations' Certainly not saying at all we work hard everyday or are busy 24/7 just the long hours which this modern airforce is undertaking to meet its commitments. Maybe some of the AEF gentlemen were in the Royal Air Force when it had considerably more personnel and planes of course. I just don't think the need to fly cadets most weekends is justified considering our own needs in a dwindling RAF and our recruiting numbers.

Bored of Basrah

[McDuff]

UAS and non-QFI Boss

I expect that bursaries will continue to be available, but they are pretty small (£1000?) for pilots. Note that some students may well not take up their full entitlement, so others can take advantage of that.

I am still waiting to see how AEF QFIs are enticed to go through the niff and triv of instructing; and will they have to do standards and trappers etc...? I know at least one recent member of ULAS who is happy to do it, but that's only one so far ;-)

It is, I suppose, returning to the former shape of UASs, but it is still hazy and I could report back (not another secondary duty ;-)) when I know exactly is intended to happen ... which of course will be different from what actually happens!

[BEagle]

£1000 p.a.? Is that ALL? Back in 1972 I received £1200-ish as an APO, then because of my year as a Flt Cdt, that went up to £1800 a year as a Plt Off in my final year.

£1000 is utterly laughable and simply not worth the commitment.

Dear RAF - you have to pay to get the right people. Or didn't you know that?

And if you ever want me back as a UAS A2QFI, it'd be as a Plt Off on £100K!

[Mowgli]

DK338

society has changed, the RAF must too

Yes, society has changed, but for the better? Surely now more than ever our youth need organisations which can inspire them, and offer them some boundaries of decent behaviour rather than ASBOs after the event. Hence the ACO offers something to the community at large as well as an opportunity to fire the imagination of potential recruits. Also, the UAS system provides an experience to those who do not choose the military as a career which will stay with them in the future; some of them will become influential; others may even become MPs. How many of our current parliamentary representatives have any idea at all about the military? Who is going to lobby support for the defence budget? You cannot put a price on these things, and so they are difficult to justify in a budget orientated world. I appreciate the other imperatives, but I doubt that you would see more money in these areas, just cuts.

It's been said in this thread before, "the cost of everything, and the value of nothing".

[McDuff]

UAS and the Bursars

'£1000 is utterly laughable and simply not worth the commitment.'

The thing is, BEagle, that we do have the commitment from these youngsters and they have acceptance from the organisation that want to join. The bursary and their "rank" are labels of their acceptance.

The real crime in university education is that students are imbued with the culture of debt: not to leverage earning power, which would be a businessman's way of justifying borrowing to learn, but to provide better statistics in the Government's urge to get more and more people to university – for what reason I cannot fathom.

Of course the Bursars would like more money in their hands, but it would only reduce their debt; it would disappear into their bottomless pits of negative equity. In addition, it might give us the wrong people ...

[Capt H Peacock]

The UASs have been under ministry pressure for at least the last 20 years. The New Labour administration regards them as yet another bastion of privilege and patronage and would dearly love to see them closed.

Those of us who see them as a valuable and cost effective show case for the military will give testament to the calibre of men and women who joined.

Even now so many years after I left, I have long lasting and loyal friendships with my contemporaries, many of whom are not now in aviation, but continue to support the Royal Air Force in so many ways. At a recent reunion, I was delighted to see that the quality and breadth of membership is as good today as it has always been.

I cherish my time on the UAS, and think the budget should be doubled. Any sum is a trifle compared to the 30bn GBP of taxpayers hard earned cash and savings that New Labour have squandered on failed IT projects.

[Malissa Fawthort]

It'll be interesting to see if there are - indeed - any "savings" from the "new and improved" system! I'll bet a pound to a pinch of you-know-what that there won't be. Wonder how the Command Sec will sell that to the politicians, when the whole idea was to "save".

[McDuff]

UASs and the MOD

'The UASs have been under ministry pressure for at least the last 20 years. The New Labour administration regards them as yet another bastion of privilege and patronage and would dearly love to see them closed.

...
'I cherish my time on the UAS, and think the budget should be doubled. Any sum is a trifle compared to the 30bn GBP of taxpayers hard earned cash and savings that New Labour have squandered on failed IT projects.'

I am not sure that I agree with you about the constant pressure Capt H. I worked in Air Plans for nearly 2 years (95-97 - ghastly job!) and I cannot remember hearing words against UASs from any quarter.

I agree with you about the wasted dosh. And what about the £19bn on consultants?

ULAS has just had a very successful Cockers P for its 70th anniversary. Judging from the TY letters to the Boss, everyone had a good time. It was a pity that the younger ex-members saw fit to have an excellent time (it took a fair while to clear up) but not bother with the TY letters. Notwithstanding this little snagette, the whole thing was fantastic fun.

\'It\'ll be interesting to see if there are - indeed - any "savings" from the "new and improved" system! I\'ll bet a pound to a pinch of you-know-what that there won\'t be. Wonder how the Command Sec will sell that to the politicians, when the whole idea was to "save".\'

I gather, Malissa, that the savings have turned out to be miniscule, just as you suspect. The study was so general and, IMHO, poorly thought-through that there were almost bound to be problems in its implementation.

[daveyp]

University Air Squadrons

Hi

I am looking for some information on University Air Squadrons. How hard they are to get into, are they for people interested in all types of flying or just the Raf etc..

Couldn't find a topic already like this one so thought I would start one up.

Feel free to provide a link if there is another topic out there.

I would be grateful for any information whatsoever.

I am currently at Nottingham University so anyone in the EMUAS at the moment would be great if you could give me an insight into the Squadron.

Thanks

[nosewheelfirst]

I had an initial interview with them just to make sure you are not a time waster and should be medicaly OK. I was then invited back for a formal interview. The CFI and an officer from Crandiz conducted this and it went along the lines of the standard RAF interview. Starting off with about yourself, your education etc then moving on to current affairs and finaly onto the RAF itself. I was then sent upstairs to be measured for flying gear (not sure if they do this to everybody). About a week later all the successful appliants when to Cranwell for the part 1 medical and the pilot and nav aptitude tests. I actualy failed the pilot one (just) but was accepted into the squadron as a pilot member. Had a great two years in the squadron but ultimatley decided the RAF was not for me. Good luck.

[PPRuNeUser0172]

I think you will find there is a lot of info on UAS's on this website if you look, not only in the military aircrew forum. Eg, the one called "UAS's to close" or something of that ilk, you may see that you may not have an organisation to join.

EMUAS, I remember them but we definitely drank more beer and went to the bathroom less....

Regards

DS


Ps BTW, if you are asking the question, is it for all types of flying or just those interested in the RAF, then I guess with a username like that you shouldnt be too difficult to spot in the interview

[GodisMyCopilot]

Mate if you can get on a UAS do so!! I had the best days of my llife flying with CUAS and the EFT course I completed has made me a much better pilot than the average PPL holder. However it may not be around much longer cos of this poxy goverment....

For the interview really gen up on types of RAF aircraft, roles, current operations, history of RAF and NATO. Also on current affairs. Show them you are keen and up for it and you should have no problems.

any questions PM me

[daveyp]

Thanks for the info guys.

I am really interested in the RAF and flying in general but I am not completely sure if I am able to pass the medical for the RAF thats why I was asking about whether it is JUST for those looking to join the RAF. I would love to join the RAF but not sure if my eyes are up to it. Is it the same medical to join the UAS as it is for the RAF?

[mercury86]

Im currently in the UAS and had my medical last year, where alot of candidates went out on eyesight and as far as we were told it is the same medical as the RAF so unfortunately if you do have problems, the UAS as a pilot will be out of your reach. However, if i were you i would still apply and see what happens, and if you do go out medically, you may still be accepted as groundcrew - fair enough you wont be doin EFT, but youll still get all the other benefits of the UAS including flying experience.

regarding EMUAS, i may not be from there but i know them well! all sound people up for a laugh, just a shame theyre at a scummy sqn but they cant help that!!!

[daveyp]

Ah right thats good then. If i don't get through the medical then I would still definitely be interested in joining as ground crew.

Is there a general forum for people in UAS's?

[Wholigan]

May I suggest that you wait a short time, when all will be made clear, including such things as medical requirements.

[BEagle]

Any more news yet?

[McDuff]

UASs and the change

"Any more news yet?"

No, BEagle. Apparently the paper went before the Board last week; ministerial approval is next.

But when, I do not know.