AEF Flying
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Manchester
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On the day the chipmunk was retired (31.03.96) I got to fly in one of them over to Newton in a formation of 7. It was fantastic. All the pilots sat back and relaxed while the staff cadets flew them.
18 months ago I went to lapland, and recognised the voice of the pilot as being that of the guy I had flown to Newton with. Small world.
18 months ago I went to lapland, and recognised the voice of the pilot as being that of the guy I had flown to Newton with. Small world.
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Sunny (or Rainy) Somerset, England
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Sorry for the delay in replying, but I don’t currently have access to the web during the week.
Yes – AEF flying does still occur alongside UASs. The AEF is now a part of the UAS and the aircraft, engineers (etc) on each of the sites are shared by the UAS and the AEF.
As far as the criteria for becoming an AEF pilot are concerned, not long ago you needed to have earned AND RETAINED military wings and have a minimum of 500 hours first pilot. This changed at the beginning of last year to allow “holding” pilots to undertake cadet flying. To fly cadets whilst holding, you now need to have completed “BFT” to a high average standard and be individually approved by Gp Capt EFT and Gp Capt Fg Tng. Innsworth decides who will be forwarded for approval and where and when they will be detached for their “holding” post.
For serving pilots to become AEF pilots, they merely need to ask their nearest AEF Flt Cdr. If they are not total tossers and there are spaces on the AEF, there is a high chance of getting in. Having said that, most AEFS do actually have a waiting list. Buying copious beers helps considerably!!!!!!! However, HQ EFT does still have the final say on whether or not you are accepted (they see your 5000).
As far as “boswell bear’s” statement is concerned, all I can do is invite him to visit Colerne to see for himself how we treat the cadets. Any time.
(Oh and by the way Gainesy, I have stopped being a JB moderator, but they don't seem to have got round to removing my name yet, despite being asked to do so.)
Yes – AEF flying does still occur alongside UASs. The AEF is now a part of the UAS and the aircraft, engineers (etc) on each of the sites are shared by the UAS and the AEF.
As far as the criteria for becoming an AEF pilot are concerned, not long ago you needed to have earned AND RETAINED military wings and have a minimum of 500 hours first pilot. This changed at the beginning of last year to allow “holding” pilots to undertake cadet flying. To fly cadets whilst holding, you now need to have completed “BFT” to a high average standard and be individually approved by Gp Capt EFT and Gp Capt Fg Tng. Innsworth decides who will be forwarded for approval and where and when they will be detached for their “holding” post.
For serving pilots to become AEF pilots, they merely need to ask their nearest AEF Flt Cdr. If they are not total tossers and there are spaces on the AEF, there is a high chance of getting in. Having said that, most AEFS do actually have a waiting list. Buying copious beers helps considerably!!!!!!! However, HQ EFT does still have the final say on whether or not you are accepted (they see your 5000).
As far as “boswell bear’s” statement is concerned, all I can do is invite him to visit Colerne to see for himself how we treat the cadets. Any time.
(Oh and by the way Gainesy, I have stopped being a JB moderator, but they don't seem to have got round to removing my name yet, despite being asked to do so.)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Asia's Fine City
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clicker - no record I'm afraid. It was one of the Finningley based ones circa 1983.
AEF is the dream retirement pastime and what better way than to sow the seed of flight in young kids. The EAA in the US has an 'eagle flight program' that does just that.
AEF is the dream retirement pastime and what better way than to sow the seed of flight in young kids. The EAA in the US has an 'eagle flight program' that does just that.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lincolnshire
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Finningley AEF 1983
Kluge
I was attached to the AEF for several months Spring to Autumn and flew ATC every day. IIRC, there was mostly 2 of us doing the Flying. If you can rememember the date I may be able to track down the flight to one of a few Aircraft - the Authorisation sheets will have long gone and unfortunately we only put the number of Cadets flown on each sortie. So the end result is.. it may have been me but should be able to narrow down the possible Aircraft.
I was attached to the AEF for several months Spring to Autumn and flew ATC every day. IIRC, there was mostly 2 of us doing the Flying. If you can rememember the date I may be able to track down the flight to one of a few Aircraft - the Authorisation sheets will have long gone and unfortunately we only put the number of Cadets flown on each sortie. So the end result is.. it may have been me but should be able to narrow down the possible Aircraft.
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Dendmar
Many thanks for your generous offer of help sir. Unfortunately I do not have an exact date during that time. Suffice it say that there is a high probablilty that it was you that took for me that flight.
I would like to say to you that you (and your colleagues) had a significant positive impact on the life of one young man. For that I will always be grateful. That I am flying now (and flying aerobatics) is a testament to your example. My retirement plan is to offer similar flight experiences to younger generations although it will not be in the UK.
I hope that you are still flying, sir.
Many thanks for your generous offer of help sir. Unfortunately I do not have an exact date during that time. Suffice it say that there is a high probablilty that it was you that took for me that flight.
I would like to say to you that you (and your colleagues) had a significant positive impact on the life of one young man. For that I will always be grateful. That I am flying now (and flying aerobatics) is a testament to your example. My retirement plan is to offer similar flight experiences to younger generations although it will not be in the UK.
I hope that you are still flying, sir.
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Join Date: Nov 2004
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Thx again - with the fear of turning into a spotty.
Looks like WK590 is in Belgium
WG407 is G-BWMX and WK638 is G-BWJZ at Breigton.
Next time I'm in UK I'll have to take a trip back up Norff.
Again thank you.
Looks like WK590 is in Belgium
WG407 is G-BWMX and WK638 is G-BWJZ at Breigton.
Next time I'm in UK I'll have to take a trip back up Norff.
Again thank you.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hove
Age: 72
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Goes to hangar, puts on anorak
==
WG 407 - Sold in 1996 became G-BWMX, Still current in original RAF marks, owners address in Cambridge with 12020 hrs at end of 2004.
WK 638 - Sold in 1995 became G-BWJZ, CofA expired Jan 2001 with 15580 hrs up to end of 1998.
WK 590 - Tentered 1996 became G-BWVZ, Still current in original RAF marks, Owners address in Belgium with 15463 hrs at end of 2004.
Two of of three still flying, very good.
==
Puts anorak back in hangar
==
WG 407 - Sold in 1996 became G-BWMX, Still current in original RAF marks, owners address in Cambridge with 12020 hrs at end of 2004.
WK 638 - Sold in 1995 became G-BWJZ, CofA expired Jan 2001 with 15580 hrs up to end of 1998.
WK 590 - Tentered 1996 became G-BWVZ, Still current in original RAF marks, Owners address in Belgium with 15463 hrs at end of 2004.
Two of of three still flying, very good.
==
Puts anorak back in hangar
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Hiya all,
Yeh wholigan is spot on with his listed requirements for AEF pilots.
Im a staff cdt up at 9 AEF and alot of our pilots are retired, and we have had a few who were on hold before being posted to a sqn or even up to valley. The pilots we have are all great and are really enthusiastic to fly and speak to the cadets, although i suppose that there is always an exception.
Yeh wholigan is spot on with his listed requirements for AEF pilots.
Im a staff cdt up at 9 AEF and alot of our pilots are retired, and we have had a few who were on hold before being posted to a sqn or even up to valley. The pilots we have are all great and are really enthusiastic to fly and speak to the cadets, although i suppose that there is always an exception.
