Shortage of Helicopter Pilots?
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This is an interesting thread and you make some good points WG13
I am actually serving in one of those SO3 slots as a WO and well beyond my 22. My personal experience has been very up and down and I was originally enticed by MCM to stay by being able to achieve FRI 2. Sadly with my continuance beginning in August 2006 the FRI was chopped on the 31st March that year. That has now been addressed albeit slightly by the PES (A) qualification changes which bring its application back to the 22 year point but we remain capped at lvl 22 so it suits those arriving at the 22 years point as a SNCO much better than those arriving at WO.
I am devoted to the Corps, I am true Blue and to be honest I don't really know that I will be comfortable doing anything else at the moment but I am also saddened at the loss of some very good people, outstanding people even. Unlike me they have bitten the bullet and moved on, usually to better things and all of them seem to be doing well.
I hope we can address this issue and in a timely manner as the men and women of this Corps are and should be our most treasured asset.
I am actually serving in one of those SO3 slots as a WO and well beyond my 22. My personal experience has been very up and down and I was originally enticed by MCM to stay by being able to achieve FRI 2. Sadly with my continuance beginning in August 2006 the FRI was chopped on the 31st March that year. That has now been addressed albeit slightly by the PES (A) qualification changes which bring its application back to the 22 year point but we remain capped at lvl 22 so it suits those arriving at the 22 years point as a SNCO much better than those arriving at WO.
I am devoted to the Corps, I am true Blue and to be honest I don't really know that I will be comfortable doing anything else at the moment but I am also saddened at the loss of some very good people, outstanding people even. Unlike me they have bitten the bullet and moved on, usually to better things and all of them seem to be doing well.
I hope we can address this issue and in a timely manner as the men and women of this Corps are and should be our most treasured asset.
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The AAC manning wing really is not bothered one jot. I was an Apache QHI with over 1000 hours on type and I left because if I stayed I would be in a far worse financial position than staying in. £60000 tax free and over £1000 a month for leaving when DAAvn withdrew the FRI and caused all manner of clusters in the basic administration of the most valuable asset he had (P2 pay, capped PA spine, SSC to IRC ect) The funny thing was it was still good fun and a fabulous job, working with keen dedicated people below the SO1 level. No phone calls, letters or thanks for 24 years. The only sad thing was I didn’t expect any.
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I was an Apache QHI with over 1000 hours on type and I left because if I stayed I would be in a far worse financial position than staying in.
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I thought it was just me who got f***k all when he left the Average Air Corps even wrote my own ditty for the red book as nobody gave a t**s. I just wish the guys still serving would get a better deal than i got, and from what i hear it's a start but probably to late. However if you don't like it get out the grass is greener, there's more money and more time off than you can shake a stick at out here, and the flying can be more challenging as well.
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Forgive me for being a cynic but there is plan, by the current RAF Chief of the Air Staff(CAS), to make all things rotary (stand fast the grey Lynx/Merlin, he doesn't want them), RAF manned and controlled within his tenure. This plan, balsey in anyones watch, could be achieved if the current downturn in Army Aviators continues and plays right into his hands. Makes you wonder if his plan is reaching into the TA flight going, FBH QHI training the SAS pilots on their new type etc etc. I understand (from a colleagues son at Tech Trg school) that the Harrier tech's are still doing Apache Tech as their background study in preparation to take over the AH fleet. When the CAS makes CDS (now well with his reach) I wonder if he'll fully realise his dream?
But in the end, as long as the guy's on the ground can get covering airborne firepower, be it Light/Dark Blue, Green or Marine that is all that matters, to me!
But in the end, as long as the guy's on the ground can get covering airborne firepower, be it Light/Dark Blue, Green or Marine that is all that matters, to me!
Well said Sir
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Wazz,
I have heard people repeat similarly paranoid rumours about the intentions of the current CAS, but:
a) It's pretty certain he won't be the next CDS, and
b) I wish he cared half as much as this about helicopters, but I don't really think he does.
In any case, I fully agree with your last point - it doesn't matter what uniform you wear as long as you're delivering operational effect. I think it has been proven in spades recently that all 3 services pull the stops out and get the job done - time everyone was treated fairly.
I have heard people repeat similarly paranoid rumours about the intentions of the current CAS, but:
a) It's pretty certain he won't be the next CDS, and
b) I wish he cared half as much as this about helicopters, but I don't really think he does.
In any case, I fully agree with your last point - it doesn't matter what uniform you wear as long as you're delivering operational effect. I think it has been proven in spades recently that all 3 services pull the stops out and get the job done - time everyone was treated fairly.
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If you dont like it - then leave:
Whatever anyone says, the jobs are out there - and not just the low paid Police/Air Ambulance end of the spectrum. See the link below as some jobs are well within the reach of those that military desperately need to hang onto.
Captains - United Kingdom - Flight Crew - 200110486 - Flight Jobs
Whatever anyone says, the jobs are out there - and not just the low paid Police/Air Ambulance end of the spectrum. See the link below as some jobs are well within the reach of those that military desperately need to hang onto.
Captains - United Kingdom - Flight Crew - 200110486 - Flight Jobs
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W & Z
Who is teaching the Apache tech to your Harriers techs?
I understand (from a colleagues son at Tech Trg school) that the Harrier tech's are still doing Apache Tech as their background study in preparation to take over the AH fleet.
I take my hat off to them if they can learn two systems and not confuse one for the other in exams!
I think the point here is being missed. None of the services have the number of pilots required, although the RAF seem to be doing more about the problem, with help from the AAC.
Who is teaching the Apache tech to your Harriers techs?
I understand (from a colleagues son at Tech Trg school) that the Harrier tech's are still doing Apache Tech as their background study in preparation to take over the AH fleet.
I take my hat off to them if they can learn two systems and not confuse one for the other in exams!
I think the point here is being missed. None of the services have the number of pilots required, although the RAF seem to be doing more about the problem, with help from the AAC.
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I am not a pilot, no longer SH and could not give a flying **** who owns what capability, but surely my previous suggestion that if all things "air" belonged to the light blue it would surely sort all of your parity issues out
Yea, and we all know that monopolies are the best way to get efficiency, productivity, excellence and..........
....wait a minute
....wait a minute
If they were RAF/Army, the ability to read a map/chart may stop embarrassing incidents of people towing Norfolk Island into the path of warships.
Yep, monopolies are obviously the best way to get efficiency, productivity, excellence and ......