University Air Squadrons

[artyhug]

If this wasn't a personal attack, I don't know what could constitute one!

They still aren't allowed.

[BEagle]

Yes, 50+Ray, we had some excellent times. Particularly those Summer Camps when we all decamped to a 'real' RAF station for our 2 weeks. Sadly, that no longer happens.

In fact the students during my QFI-ing time on the Bulldog had a grater range of flying opportunities than we did in Chipmunk days. A lot more navigation, formation flying and a little low level flying rather than all those trips down the free-lane to Twyford and Mapledurham, then climb when west of Reading, followed by a few aeros and stalling etc, then back to Woodley and a few circuits.....

I'm sure the students of today's strength-through-joy UASs are, in the main, the same sort of folk we were. But

instead of drinking in bars various you get treated to evenings of IOT-style 'reviews' and 'Action Plans' and other such

is a bit of a shame. No, I don't advocate a drinking club, but evenings of IOT style 'reviews' and 'action plans' sound rather depressing - surely that can wait until IOT?

[ShadowFive]

Particularly those Summer Camps when we all decamped to a 'real' RAF station for our 2 weeks. Sadly, that no longer happens.

I beg to differ - I know of at least one northen UAS that detaches to ISK three times per year for several weeks at a time - with aircraft.

As for the town nights, "action plans" etc may happen occasionally ,but, in my experience it is the norm to have varied talks, breifs and lectures from various units and branches with the RAF and further military. For example, one night may contain a capabilities breif of the harrier force or indeed on one occasion the apache (all given from the horses mouth so to speak by visiting crews), another night may contain a breif from an IntO or EngO etc on their career etc etc. Senior officers occasionaly visit to keep us up to date with what is happening at top level in the service. Town nights also regularly have OASC prep and leadership exercises with them too - students are free to leave after these activities (which normaly last several hours) - whether some choose to stay and imbibe an ale or two is neither here nor there, however it is not a case of "turn and get lashed", like some people like to imagine.

I have no need to defend the flying syallabus aspect as this has already been justified by others in previous posts.

That article from The Times made my blood boil as it was pure utter gossip with very little backing up of facts other than "my friends son said this..." and just goes further to deepen my mistrust of the press.
Read the above and make your own mind up.

[The Real Slim Shady]

I had the privilege of seeing the UAS from both sides of the fence: as a Cadet Pilot at UGSAS and subsequently as a QFI at YUAS.

Whilst some of us, and then 15 years later, some of my students, elected to join the RAF, Flying Lawyer's regard for the Service, was a major aim.

Perhaps it is time, in this climate of cutbacks, to look at ways of retaining the UAS, the OTC etc and where possible combining resources to make savings.

Although there may be some dilution of tradtion by combining the 3 Services into a single University unit it would be better than losing one, or all.

[Big Sand]

Beagle,
Thank you for setting the record straight. Changed days indeed since 'arguably' the halcion days of the UAS in the 70's and early 80's are over.

In those days I remember the balance of 'work hard play hard' was more in tune. There was an opportunity for instructors and students to teach and learn flying properly and to respect one another. Afterall many QFI's also had been UAS studes themselves.

Yes, indeed there was a lot of 'messing' too but the memories are those of 'working hard and playing hard'.

I meet ex UAS studes in all walks of life and have yet to come across many who have not positively benefited professionally and personally from their experience. That said, I am slightly fearful that the very limited flying sylabus that is offered now inevitably restricts the core reason for the UAS and also fear that it may very sadly start the ultimate demise of the UAS that so may of us have loved.

That would not be the GREATEST Air Force's finest hour.

Long live the UAS.

Big Sand

[ShadowFive]

the very limited flying sylabus

As said in previous posts regarding the flying syllabus - it is not as restricted as people seem to think. Granted it is no long EFT, it does still offer plentyful and formalised flying training to those who seek it. It is not terribly unusual for students to leave with 100+ hours. The syllabus covers everything from first solo, to IF,(solo) medium/low level nav, (solo) formation, (solo) aerobatics and so on. Much the same content that is covered by real EFT. They term non-assessed flying just means that you cannot be "chopped" for failing to reach flying standards - the flying is still very much assessed and each individual sortie is written up and reported upon.
I will argue with anyone who says that the flying syallabus is pointless, and in my experience, certainly not "very restricted" - weather aside of course.

[Wholigan]

you cannot be "chopped" for failing to reach flying standards

Before anybody jumps on this statement with "there you are, I told you the standards had dropped and the whole new system is therefore sh1te", I'd like to say that this statement is slightly disingenuous, and I'd like to clarify the situation.

UAS students may well not be 'chopped' for failing to reach flying standards (ie taken off flying permanently), but this is where an earlier statement of mine would kick in:

Needless to say, there are some who have the decision of which stream they will follow made for them

If a student who is following the formal flying syllabus is not achieving the required progress or safety standards, he/she will be moved on to flying air experience sorties. This will happen after the 'review' process that you all know and love.

[BEagle]

It is not terribly unusual for students to leave with 100+ hours.

Is the UAS flying training syllabus still only 30 hours over 3 years?

If so, for someone to leave with over 100 hours, there must have been a significant number of others who didn't want to learn to fly. This could easily give the impression (probably false) of an 'inner circle' who 'get the trips' as alluded to in the Time article.

If indeed

There seemed to be very little supervision or organisation of the students by RAF officers.

at that particular UAS, I wouldn't be terribly surprised. Even back in my QFI-ing time, a certain UAS which was on Summer Camp at our aerodrome whilst we were away was panned by the Stn Cdr for its lack of student supervision. Their staff were all accommodated off-base in an hotel living the life of Riley, whilst some of their ill-disciplined students caused mayhem on base. It was therefore ordained that the UAS would provide an evening Duty Officer to keep an eye on their little cherubs - who would be obliged to stay on base overnight. Something which the better run UASs did anyway.....

[Wensleydale]

Perhaps it is time, in this climate of cutbacks, to look at ways of retaining the UAS, the OTC etc and where possible combining resources to make savings.

Far too long ago when I was on a UAS (check the age), we ran an "unofficial" exchange with the University OTC. They took us to Warcop Range where we banged off a few rounds from weapons various, while the UAS took the army for some Air Experience Flights. It also gave us the local army barrack's mess for a few sherberts on the odd night because the UAS was in a base over 40 miles away! Admittedly, this exchange takes some resources, but would certainly give some experience of "jointery" for military minded students if done today.

[5 Forward 6 Back]

I'm not far past half your age, but my UAS did the same. A bit of shooting and some running around in the mud for half a dozen of us, and some pax flying for half a dozen of them to reciprocate.

We did a couple of joint training nights too, to give us the opportunity to visit each other's messes and see what they do. Very easy to organise, valuable and fun.