Pilot Officer Windsor anyone?
Join Date: Jan 2002
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I for one am delighted that Prince William will spend some time as a Royal Air Force Officer and, to be honest, I am quite surprised how many members of the Royal Air Force in this forum seem hostile to this news. I suppose many here just like to have something to grumble.
I personally think we should feel proud and honoured that the future King wishes to spend a period of his life as a member of the Royal Air Force. No doubt, this will lead to a lifetime of unwavering, loyal support of the Armed Forces that is a characteristic of all senior members of the Royal Family. Nobody can possibly seriously expect the chap to complete a full wings course (and then an OCU to keep them) - it is quite likely that he does not have the aptitude to be a frontline skygod: not many do. However, if he trains to EFT solo standard and the BRWFT solo standard, he will have had a small taster of what the RAF is all about, and as our future 'Commander in Chief' and strong supporter, I would feel proud to see the King wear our wings.
The contrast between Royalty and politicians is obvious. How many current members of Government have any experience of, are have ever expressed an interest in, the Armed Forces? How many joined the OTC, URNU or UAS (even if only to reach solo standard)? Close to, or actually, none, I believe. Consequently, no MPs hold the Forces in any esteem resulting in the usual messes you read about in these pages.
We should be very pleased about this news. It can only serve the RAF well.
As for the Cranwell nightlife, this place served me well when I was on IOT. I had to take the pic for sentimental reasons when I last popped into RAFC. Flicks of Sleaford: both awful and wonderful at the same time. Your standard issue provincial nightclub, complete with sticky carpets, Chesney Hawkes, police busts and obese strippers. Oh the memories.
I personally think we should feel proud and honoured that the future King wishes to spend a period of his life as a member of the Royal Air Force. No doubt, this will lead to a lifetime of unwavering, loyal support of the Armed Forces that is a characteristic of all senior members of the Royal Family. Nobody can possibly seriously expect the chap to complete a full wings course (and then an OCU to keep them) - it is quite likely that he does not have the aptitude to be a frontline skygod: not many do. However, if he trains to EFT solo standard and the BRWFT solo standard, he will have had a small taster of what the RAF is all about, and as our future 'Commander in Chief' and strong supporter, I would feel proud to see the King wear our wings.
The contrast between Royalty and politicians is obvious. How many current members of Government have any experience of, are have ever expressed an interest in, the Armed Forces? How many joined the OTC, URNU or UAS (even if only to reach solo standard)? Close to, or actually, none, I believe. Consequently, no MPs hold the Forces in any esteem resulting in the usual messes you read about in these pages.
We should be very pleased about this news. It can only serve the RAF well.
As for the Cranwell nightlife, this place served me well when I was on IOT. I had to take the pic for sentimental reasons when I last popped into RAFC. Flicks of Sleaford: both awful and wonderful at the same time. Your standard issue provincial nightclub, complete with sticky carpets, Chesney Hawkes, police busts and obese strippers. Oh the memories.
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At the end of the day, its Grandma's train set and she can do what she likes with it - even give her favourite grandson his wings! Haven't got an issue with that.
I just wonder how this happy snappy PR story will play with Joe Public; in the current cash strapped environment when we're constantly bleating about being stretched (but not overly
) it appears we can still afford to provide men and resources for a 'bespoke' flying course leading to an understanding of our history and ethos. Hmmmmm?
I'd love to hear the views of any holding plebeians.
And being the consummate cynic, I'm guessing the FJ / AT / RW acquaints will involve photo opps on Typhoon, C17 and Merlin?
Anyway, enough of my whinging, good luck to the lad.
PS Sir, when you div into balmy RAF Moray, if you need directions to Joannas, please PM.
I just wonder how this happy snappy PR story will play with Joe Public; in the current cash strapped environment when we're constantly bleating about being stretched (but not overly
) it appears we can still afford to provide men and resources for a 'bespoke' flying course leading to an understanding of our history and ethos. Hmmmmm? I'd love to hear the views of any holding plebeians.
And being the consummate cynic, I'm guessing the FJ / AT / RW acquaints will involve photo opps on Typhoon, C17 and Merlin?
Anyway, enough of my whinging, good luck to the lad.
PS Sir, when you div into balmy RAF Moray, if you need directions to Joannas, please PM.
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Consequently, no MPs hold the Forces in any esteem resulting in the usual messes you read about in these pages.
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Am baffled by all the grumbling and griping here.
Would you rather he got to wear the 'peacock' uniform in years to come without even this (rather brief) experience?
Perhaps you'd rather he didn't wear it at all, and you were rebranded as the British Air Force?
Here's a chance for some cracking good PR in your anniversary year.
Just imagine a nice TV package of HRH doing a solo circuit in the trusty Tutor, emerging to smooth down his bald-spot, lean nonchalantly against the wing and tell the assembled media how truly fantastic the ROYAL Air Force is. It'll be shown around the world, and cynicism aside, that is not without value.
Assuming it's a good landing, that is. Err...
Would you rather he got to wear the 'peacock' uniform in years to come without even this (rather brief) experience?
Perhaps you'd rather he didn't wear it at all, and you were rebranded as the British Air Force?
Here's a chance for some cracking good PR in your anniversary year.
Just imagine a nice TV package of HRH doing a solo circuit in the trusty Tutor, emerging to smooth down his bald-spot, lean nonchalantly against the wing and tell the assembled media how truly fantastic the ROYAL Air Force is. It'll be shown around the world, and cynicism aside, that is not without value.
Assuming it's a good landing, that is. Err...
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Of course the only way MGD would give the bloke any respect would be if he spent 10 yrs in Afganistan living in a slit trench, picking up bits of dead comrades whilst flying harriers 2 inches off the deck, killing millions of terrorists, getting covered in mud blood and faeces., just like him.
I doubt anyone is as gnarly or as salty as MGD.
Grrrrrrizzzeled. A real Audie Murphy.
I doubt anyone is as gnarly or as salty as MGD.
Grrrrrrizzzeled. A real Audie Murphy.
Just watch the politicians, I reckon, if HRH Prince William can get his wings in 4 months, then they will be looking at chopping the length of all flying training, as it cannot be that difficult, if HRH can do it and still manage to arrange lots of parties and do's with his brother HRH Prince Wingealot.
Think of the financial savings to the treasury.
Think of the financial savings to the treasury.
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"The Navy has Tradition, The Army Custom and the RAF dirty little habits", was a quote from a very famous and highly decorated former RAF Senior Officer. I supose HRH can develop quite a few in four months. 
(And the reason we have a Navy? To provide worthwhile employment for the male members of the Royal Family and husbands for the more strong minded female ones.)
(And the reason we have a Navy? To provide worthwhile employment for the male members of the Royal Family and husbands for the more strong minded female ones.)
Join Date: May 2004
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Originally Posted by Fg Off Max Stout
Do you think he will pass the RAF fitness test?
Regardless of whose grannie's gang it is, do you not think it is a dangerous precedent accepting colour blind individuals for RAF flying training when the RAF's own medical standards require Colour Percerptiveness Grading CP2 for aircrew, i.e. no errors on Ishihara Colour Vision Testing?
It has been reguarly published that HRH is colour blind.
Interesting shift in policy.
(And the reason we have a Navy? To provide worthwhile employment for the male members of the Royal Family and husbands for the more strong minded female ones.)
Plus an excuse for the aformentioned lady to wear a rather "fetching" fancy dress uniform
Plus an excuse for the aformentioned lady to wear a rather "fetching" fancy dress uniform
If William passes the course, he will graduate in a ceremony at Cranwell in April
Doesn't it make you proper pilots fume at the boy wonder wearing your coveted wings. Why not post yours back in revolt.
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2close,
The RAF Fitness Test will consist of reaching a certain level on the bleep test and doing a specified number of pressups and situps in a minute. You are obviously thinking of the aircrew medical. Different question.
As he will not be ending up as frontline pilot, there may be some scope for flexibility in terms of medical requirements. Do you need to be A1G1Z1 to fly a solo circuit if you definitely will not be progressing any further? I suggest probably not, especially given the level of supervision and contingency planning that will no doubt be put in place.
ZH875,
No, for reasons that I gave in post 126.
The RAF Fitness Test will consist of reaching a certain level on the bleep test and doing a specified number of pressups and situps in a minute. You are obviously thinking of the aircrew medical. Different question.
As he will not be ending up as frontline pilot, there may be some scope for flexibility in terms of medical requirements. Do you need to be A1G1Z1 to fly a solo circuit if you definitely will not be progressing any further? I suggest probably not, especially given the level of supervision and contingency planning that will no doubt be put in place.
ZH875,
Doesn't it make you proper pilots fume at the boy wonder wearing your coveted wings.
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As the JEFTS at Barkston Heath usually carries out the ab initio training for the joint services, why is HRH going straight onto the Grob 115 at Cranwell rather than the Firefly at Barkston?
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I don,t think you can have much red on glass aeroplanes IG because they get too hot and srart melting.
Agree that a taildragger would teach him how to land properly - any Vigilants at Cranners?
Also agree with Max. Good luck to the lad.
Agree that a taildragger would teach him how to land properly - any Vigilants at Cranners?
Also agree with Max. Good luck to the lad.