Airtanker
...and/or A400M.
Would the Airtanker aircraft be available to go and repatriate British citizens if a scenario like we have unfolding now in Libyia when they are in service?
Nowadays, the distinction is blurred - you reap what you sow.
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Originally Posted by BEagle
It seems that the USN thought that 'large receivers couldn't use probes', so they specified the P-8 with just a receptacle.....
Which are few and slow, and thus not a very good match for the P-8?
Which means that there was already a 90%+ probability that a USAF jet tanker would be normally used anyway... so why not go with the higher-flow, shorter-time refueling option from the start?
Nope, according to sources with whom I've spoken, it was simply that the USN didn't realise that a probe-equipped large aircraft (even something as small as a P-8) was feasible....
Arters, since when did anyone in the US know anything about any other nations' aircraft?
The 'pink Hinds' in GW1 which were actually Pumas
The 'Nimrod' on the wing of a Bear, which was actually a VC10K.
The 'Airliner' on the wing of a Bear, which was actually a TriStar.
Mind you, the aircraft recognition skills of some of our crews were pretty poor. In GW1 one lot cleared a USN aircraft to make contact on a wing pod one night. "What type", they asked. "EA3" came the reply. They had no idea what it was, but cleared it anyway..... Given that the EA3 has a wingspan of almost exactly half that of a VC10, it must have been rather interesting!
The 'pink Hinds' in GW1 which were actually Pumas
The 'Nimrod' on the wing of a Bear, which was actually a VC10K.
The 'Airliner' on the wing of a Bear, which was actually a TriStar.
Mind you, the aircraft recognition skills of some of our crews were pretty poor. In GW1 one lot cleared a USN aircraft to make contact on a wing pod one night. "What type", they asked. "EA3" came the reply. They had no idea what it was, but cleared it anyway..... Given that the EA3 has a wingspan of almost exactly half that of a VC10, it must have been rather interesting!
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I had always thought the EA-3 looked a tad on the large side for carrier ops but the the F-14's wingspan was only 6 feet less with the wings forward (which I assume they were when launching and tanking). But then again 6' is probably quite a lot in terms of space on a busy flight deck or when tucked in behind a wing-mounted pod trailing a hose. Can't have been many of them left flying in '91. Back to my spotters mag....
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Had a ride in an Ea3 to the 'USS Forrestal' and back in 1978. It was a roomy beast, one felt there was room in to go for a walk. No bang seats so for the launch from the carrier the canopy was left open. Apologies for the subject drift.
Last edited by Art Field; 25th Feb 2011 at 14:08. Reason: Extra info
A330 Training Captain
I see that AirTanker are looking for an A330 Training Captain - it doesn't state whether applicants will need to be mercen...'sponsored reservists':
Training Captain | AirTanker Careers
I wonder how many will apply..........
The last paragraph in the job description is interesting.
Training Captain | AirTanker Careers
I wonder how many will apply..........
The last paragraph in the job description is interesting.
Last edited by BEagle; 2nd Aug 2011 at 09:04.
along with details of your current salary and benefits package
Starting a new operation like that is a minimum of £120.000/annum plus lots of freebees.
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Er......?
Unless I'm mistaken (which happens quite a lot I'll grant you), surely the only way you could have gained "previous experience on the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft" is through the application of time travel?
If the Ts and Cs for this job are in line with the rest of the jobs they have advertised then I guess they aren't going to get a lot of interest from people who have the neccessary qualifications. But as they're advertising at this late stage, I suspect they're desperate and the suitable candidate will be able to negotiate.
PS. I wouldn't do it for as little as 120K!
PS. I wouldn't do it for as little as 120K!
As a current A330 Capt, ex mil FJ, I emailed Airtanker HR expressing an interest and asking for more details of the package. They did not have the decency to reply. Now there aren't that many 330s in UK so I suspect that they know that they will not be able to recruit from the civil world with the package offered. They could fund a few 330 ratings and cover the cost by paying Captains - Flt Lt wages! Simples..
Join Date: Apr 2002
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I find it incredible that AT have not felt it necessary to publish their salary scales; every other operator does. It smacks of 'how little can we gat away with....'. Someone asked me today if I had thought about it (ex tanker, current Airbus (albeit the 'ickle one)). I wouldn't/haven't but that thought is galvanised by the sheer bloody-minded refusal to publish their pay scales.
Also, given the 'Person Specifications' (sic):
1. Must be an Airbus A330 Type Rating Instructor and Type Rating Examiner or have previous FSTA experience
Are there many pilots out there with previous FSTA experience (ffs).
Also, given the 'Person Specifications' (sic):
1. Must be an Airbus A330 Type Rating Instructor and Type Rating Examiner or have previous FSTA experience
Are there many pilots out there with previous FSTA experience (ffs).
''PS. I wouldn't do it for as little as 120K!
Hmm, sounds like the old tanker nickname "gravy boat" might come back into use..... '''
Line captains in some airlines can earn more than 120K (GBP) PA. TIREs will get more than this. Check some of the contract sites for an idea. Widebody TIREs can easily make US$20K a month. That's the going rate for the job - and you also have to take into account UK tax and all the BS which will go with the FTRS.
I too (out of curiosity - wasn't interested in the job) asked about the CoS. All I got was an offer to apply on line for the position. They're hiding something!
Hmm, sounds like the old tanker nickname "gravy boat" might come back into use..... '''
Line captains in some airlines can earn more than 120K (GBP) PA. TIREs will get more than this. Check some of the contract sites for an idea. Widebody TIREs can easily make US$20K a month. That's the going rate for the job - and you also have to take into account UK tax and all the BS which will go with the FTRS.
I too (out of curiosity - wasn't interested in the job) asked about the CoS. All I got was an offer to apply on line for the position. They're hiding something!
So it'll need to be about £150K plus free private medical cover, pension and 27 days' mercenary pay as an absolute minimum then?
Dream on......
Dream on......