Will R.A.F Navigators be needed in the future?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10
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From: England
Will R.A.F Navigators be needed in the future?
hey all
i have just the one question, im hoping to join the R.A.F as a Navigator, but will they actually be around for much longer on the tornados, Nimrods or any other aircraft they are on.
many thanks
Futurnav
i have just the one question, im hoping to join the R.A.F as a Navigator, but will they actually be around for much longer on the tornados, Nimrods or any other aircraft they are on.
many thanks
Futurnav
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 1
From: Among these dark Satanic mills
If you want to join the RAF as a Navigator, I'm afraid you have already missed the boat (aeroplane?), as the Nav brevet (along with all the other non-pilot ones) has already vanished. The various aircrew specialisations have now all been grouped under the heading WSO/WSOp, depending on whether the individual is commissioned or not.
That said, the job which Navs/WSOs do will probably be around for a while. I'll leave it to a FJ mate to update you on the expected out-of-service date for the Tornado GR (but I believe it's still some way off), but in the ME world the Nav job - if not name - will certainly be around for some time to come, as the Nimrod MRA4 will still have a Nav (albeit only one as opposed to the two which the MR2 carries). There will still be a few other Nav jobs for a little while longer (C-130K, VC-10), but you are right that it is a dying breed, with the rotary world already having turned its back on Navs, and the AD world in the process of doing so.
Have you considered applying for other non-pilot aircrew specialisations?
That said, the job which Navs/WSOs do will probably be around for a while. I'll leave it to a FJ mate to update you on the expected out-of-service date for the Tornado GR (but I believe it's still some way off), but in the ME world the Nav job - if not name - will certainly be around for some time to come, as the Nimrod MRA4 will still have a Nav (albeit only one as opposed to the two which the MR2 carries). There will still be a few other Nav jobs for a little while longer (C-130K, VC-10), but you are right that it is a dying breed, with the rotary world already having turned its back on Navs, and the AD world in the process of doing so.
Have you considered applying for other non-pilot aircrew specialisations?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: England
Current Navigators
Hey all
as you can see im posting alot of stuff about naviagtors, i was just wondering if there are any current r.a.f nav's on this forum if so would love to hear from you
many thanks
Futurnav
as you can see im posting alot of stuff about naviagtors, i was just wondering if there are any current r.a.f nav's on this forum if so would love to hear from you
many thanks
Futurnav
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 16,700
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From: Lincolnshire
I believe there will be two nav streams. One on the GR4 until 2025 and the other in staff jobs where the pilots have left for civil aviation.
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: UK
A probability study (2000) of the units gave a 3-8% failure rate of a-b precision variations to target. Now, this might not mean much driving from Blackpool to Bury, but who wants a mushroom cloud over Iraq when we wanted Iran?
Not forgetting the confusion this would cause to the F-18s (US pilots) when they encounter a roundabout on the talking map???? They might just keep circling looking for the turn off.
Not forgetting the confusion this would cause to the F-18s (US pilots) when they encounter a roundabout on the talking map???? They might just keep circling looking for the turn off.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 16,700
Likes: 54
From: Lincolnshire
"Attention - Danger Zone - Slow Down - you are exceeding the speed limit"
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 16,700
Likes: 54
From: Lincolnshire
Zoom, of course, quite right and very useful too
for when you get lost
or as a POW
for when you get lost
or as a POW
Joined: Sep 2006
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 6,024
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From: Somewhere flat
The transition of Navigator to WSO is quite a shrewd move for the Air Force. They havn't got a clue as to how many Navs they will need in the future because of the delays into service of future projects. They also could not persuade people to be AEOps - imagining hearing in the careers office "you have a 90% chance of going to the far north of Scotland with little chance of a commission". Therefore, the new clumping of rear crew trades will give a few more carrots to future NCA while ensuring that there will be a pool of qualified people to plunder for "Navs" should the need arise. (I'll still wear my "N" badge though).
As to whether Navs are a waste of time..... Mrs Wensleydale went to school with a lad who became a Jaguar pilot. Sadly he ran into Cumulo-Granitus while at the OCU at Lossie in the early 1980s. Mum in Law sent us a copy of his orbituary from the local paper which stated that he always wanted to be a single seat fighter pilot because he didn't want to rely upon anybody else. 'nuf said. Its a bit like the DC10 that was turned the wrong way by ATC in Teneriffe and flew into the mountain while 2 pilots and an eng were discussing a minor snag. Its amazing what an extra pair of eyes and ears in the cockpit can do for you.
As to whether Navs are a waste of time..... Mrs Wensleydale went to school with a lad who became a Jaguar pilot. Sadly he ran into Cumulo-Granitus while at the OCU at Lossie in the early 1980s. Mum in Law sent us a copy of his orbituary from the local paper which stated that he always wanted to be a single seat fighter pilot because he didn't want to rely upon anybody else. 'nuf said. Its a bit like the DC10 that was turned the wrong way by ATC in Teneriffe and flew into the mountain while 2 pilots and an eng were discussing a minor snag. Its amazing what an extra pair of eyes and ears in the cockpit can do for you.
