Puma 2 to be scrapped. Surplus Puma pilots to be re-roled Typhoon

[phoenix5]

I've just been hearing via a fairly reputable source that the considered Puma 2 may be not be as sure footed as was first thought. Apparently, if it doesn't make it through the budget cuts then there will be a whole host of Puma pilots without an airframe to fly. The decision on Puma 2 will coincide with the next tranche of Typhoon. The measure being considered is to put the surplus Puma aircrews through a shortened fast jet course to enable the arrival of the new jets to go by without any stall whatsoever. Lets just see what happens.

[Door Slider]

I heard they were all off to Apache

[Bob Viking]

Oh God. Here we go!
BV

[AYTCH]

Like the size of the hook on that line!

[R 21]

All the surplus crewman are off to train the australian ladies beach volley ball team for the summer......FACT!!

[fact_attack]

Joking aside, I've heard it banded about as a possibility. There's going to be a lot of surplus pilots if Puma 2 falls through (which it will after the FLynx contract was agreed)

[Backwards PLT]

I know somewhere else that is far more short of pilots than Typhoon (depending on timing ofc) and former puma pilots have done well. Additionally they will already be acclimatised to the desert conditions and will actually use their operational experience!

[TheWizard]

So, let me see....trained helicopter pilots going off to fly fast jets when there is a shortage of...........







yes, you guessed it......trained helicopter pilots. Public Service - Helicopter crew shortages on the rise

Of course with that logic it is almost guaranteed to happen!!:ugh

Edit: Not everything in that article should be believed though!!

With up to 28 Merlins bound for Afghanistan in the coming months, the shortage of pilots and crew may only get worse.

[extpwron]

Perhaps the surplus crews should go to Chivenor.

Chivenor, RAF ¦ This is North Devon

[rock34]

I heard all the surplus ground branches will go Typhoon once they've finished a tour on the Reaper and realised that the flying lark is easy!

[Mr Grim]

Why would you want to go to a REMF job like Typhoon when you have been on the sharp end with Puma/Reaper (or chef etc)?

[chinook240]

With up to 28 Merlins bound for Afghanistan in the coming months, the shortage of pilots and crew may only get worse.

Great we can rest easy now!

[StopStart]

You're all wrong. They're coming to Lyneham to clean up after it closes. Which is tomorrow.

[exscribbler]

So are you, SS; they're being re-roled to SHAR.

[StopStart]

Serve em right I suppose. Hope they enjoy Hermes.

[liedtoagain]

Going typhoon will surely mean true 1 in 4 harmony at last. 1 deployment every 4 years....... anyone......

[AHQHI656SQN]

Door Slider, no room on Apache, we are fully manned

[Could be the last?]

656 - I heard recently, that your big wigs were worried as you had dropped to 43% manning, and it wasn't recovering. Mind you if you don't give your NCA Pilots a decent FRI, then what do you expect............

[NutLoose]

But the one eyed missfit is rerobbing the Treasury to buy
these to supplement the Pumas

For Sale 14 Helicopters Westaland W30 WG-30 Super Lynx Manufacturer, Buyer, Supplier, Importer, Exporter, Manufacturers, Buyers, Suppliers, Importers & Exporters - ECPlaza

I heard it on good authority from the man looking for the main gate keys to let the workers in to resurface the roads and build a new swimming pool before they close Lynham..

He also said these were in the the running, but this scuppered it

"We are ready to deliver in any country only for serious buyers who have money and can make the advance payment "



MI-26T Heavy-lift Transport Helicopter Manufacturer, Buyer, Supplier, Importer, Exporter, Manufacturers, Buyers, Suppliers, Importers & Exporters - ECPlaza

[AHQHI656SQN]

Could be, 43% eh? It is difficult to get a straight answer about how many pilots we should have. The party line is, we are fully manned. The reality is very different.