UAS Budgie/PFB Wings: gone for good?

[wilf_san]

Having just read that excellent thread on NS aircrew , I am now reminded to ask a question on prune that I might otherwise have posted on my usual stand (which is www.aircadetcentral.net )-

What I'm wondering is, are UAS Budgie wings now completely withdrawn as an issue item? Or are they still being issued to studes on completion of what I believe to (now) be an extended PPL.... with the post-Marston non-EFT style of UAS operation?



(The relevance of this to the NS aircrew thread is that many RAFVR NS pilots were trained up to a (1950s) PFB syllabus, rather than to full P brevet level. Apparently the initial Cold War intention of the Air Ministry was to be able to call up NS Pilots had we gone to war against the Soviet Union, and many would have done so wearing Budgie wings...presumably flying Austers, as opposed to Meteors, but it's always been a bit of history that I've felt UAS students have been oblivious to...might have reduced the disproportionate embarrasment evident from such bods, when seen wearing those PFB brevets. Levels of awareness as to such historical matters does worry me, but I'm just getting too old...).

So are they consigned to history? Or still on the inventory?

wilf_san

(ps that's Budgie wings, not UASs!!)

[muppetofthenorth]

They are very much still issued to those who complete the syllabus.

Many of our guys have received theirs recently, including one guy who virtually completed it in his first year.



As for the historical knowledge of the students - if we don't get taught it it's not our fault for not knowing it, surely?
No doubt you'd be surprised by the number of recruits we get who've barely heard of the RAF, let alone the UAS by the time they start university.

[wilf_san]

Excellent! I'm glad to hear they are still being issued...and just to be clear, that is on the new/current UAS semi-PPL arrangement, not on some tail-end remnant of the original EFT stream that used to run at the UASs?
wilf_san

[muppetofthenorth]

They never stopped issuing them.

The last people to get EFT wings left a little over 2 years ago, ever since then people have been getting wings for completing the remaining, so-called 'watered down', syllabus.

Since last year, a new section has been added with formations, aeros [to solo aeros], low level nav and something else I can't remember has been added for those who have got their wings. We've got four people working their way through that currently, with probably another four about to start it soon.

[wilf_san]

(with minor apologies for bumping this post after a four-year gap).

Does anyone on Prune with a current/intimate knowledge of the revised UAS training scheme know.....

(1) whether or not the PFB budgie brevet is still being issued to successful stude soloists that pass "PPL Plus"?

(2) just precisely what the 'Plus' bit is? (muppetofthenorth, I should have asked for clarification at the time, does your statement 'formations, aeros [to solo aeros], low level nav' mean that they're actually doing elective chunks of EFT *after* being issued with the PFB?? You may, of course, after 4yrs, have shuffled off and away to pastures new, in which case, as per my opening gambit, I welcome insight+wisdom from the wider forum.

Thanks all

wilf_san

[PotentialPilot]

Currently heading for mine.

Some students have their "budgie wings" as you call them.

Pretty sure they have just completed the syllabus and flown a circuit solo. On from this there are additional syllabuses to follow; formation flying, low level navigation and aerobatics.

That is all.

[R SCANDAL]

A bit more than solo circuits

The UAS syllabus to PFB contains circuit consol, steep turns, basic IF, PFLs, solo sector recce, solo GH and then basic nav. The final trip is a 1 hour long medium level solo nav, resulting in the award of the badge. Post PFB there are three modules: aeros (inc solo post Spin Aeros cx), formation (inc solo) and the final module culminates in solo low level (well 500ft) nav. Not bad for people who are studying for a degree and who realise that they are unlikely to join the RAF unless they want SNCO Air Traffic.

[isaneng]

Hmm, solo formation........

[99 Change Hands]

I remember getting very excited in 1978 when I found a photo of the navigator equivalent of the PFB in an old AP at NUAS. I was bitterly disappointed to discover it had been discontinued many years earlier.

[wilf_san]

The UAS syllabus to PFB contains circuit consol, steep turns, basic IF, PFLs, solo sector recce, solo GH and then basic nav. The final trip is a 1 hour long medium level solo nav, resulting in the award of the badge.

This sounds to be a somewhat more demanding than a basic PPL, I'm impressed. Presumably completing candidates do also receive a PPL (or at least certification that can be presented to the CAA in exchange for a licence)?

Post PFB there are three modules: aeros (inc solo post Spin Aeros cx), formation (inc solo) and the final module culminates in solo low level (well 500ft) nav.

So were these modules the core representative training lessons back when training with the UAS still represented the first steps within EFT? Or are they a diluted extract from the whole original course?

wilf_san

ps

Originally Posted by 99 Change Hands

I remember getting very excited in 1978 when I found a photo of the navigator equivalent of the PFB in an old AP at NUAS. I was bitterly disappointed to discover it had been discontinued many years earlier.

I understand that there were indeed PFB brevets for Nav, Flt Eng, Obs and possibly other aircrew cats, but they never gained currency- they are referenced in an RAFHS narrative covering the UASs, possibly lapsed in the late '50s, and may never have made the track north of CUAS.

[Beardmore21]

Got mine in 1958, and remember doing all the listed bits - and also got a white card instrument rating, but not sure whether it was part of the PFB, or just parallel training. Quite fun doing NDB homing and controlled descents in a chipmunk. (QGH ?). My memory is being told that the QNB was only ever done at Cambridge and Oxford UAS's.
The PFB is only allowed to be worn on RAFVR (and RAFVRT) uniform, so is occasionally seen on Air Cadet adult staff (up to Wg Cdr rank - unusual).