Quarter of RAF trainee pilots to be sacked
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All Pilots who are cut will be offered re-branching, however spaces are limited and there will be a fair hold before Phase 2 training can begin.
Pilots will know who's binned and who's not within 3-4 weeks.
Pilots will know who's binned and who's not within 3-4 weeks.
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's quite simple really, most ground branches are either closed or are up to date in terms of recruitment, so there aren't many jobs going. They will try their best but cannot guarantee everyone a re-branch, and those that are successful will no doubt have to wait.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Everyone on flying training is currently under the axe for redundancy in Tranche 1.
The whole training system has been split into 4 distinct groups:
Group 1: Those between start of IOT and intermediate handling on EFT,
Group 2: Those on EFT (past IHT),
Group 3: Those between finishing EFT and intermediate point on Phase 3 trg,
Group 4: Those after intermediate point on Phase 3 trg.
Group 1 will be sorted by studes retaking OASC aptitude tests - these scores, combined only with their end-of-IOT report, will make up the list. Top 70% of this list will carry on in the training system as normal, the other 30% will be sent to OASC.
Group 2 and 3 will be sorted on performance to date based on existing sortie reports - again, top 70% will stay, 30% will go to OASC.
Also, in Group 3 those who are waiting for streaming, will be streamed in one job lot.
Group 4 will be sorted similar to 2 and 3 and face a super-super-streaming; either staying on in training or not depending on sortie reports to date.
In this group though, only the top 65% will stay.
Everyone going to OASC will be fighting for a miniscule number of ground trades - for the majority of these though, it'll be redundancy.
The whole training system has been split into 4 distinct groups:
Group 1: Those between start of IOT and intermediate handling on EFT,
Group 2: Those on EFT (past IHT),
Group 3: Those between finishing EFT and intermediate point on Phase 3 trg,
Group 4: Those after intermediate point on Phase 3 trg.
Group 1 will be sorted by studes retaking OASC aptitude tests - these scores, combined only with their end-of-IOT report, will make up the list. Top 70% of this list will carry on in the training system as normal, the other 30% will be sent to OASC.
Group 2 and 3 will be sorted on performance to date based on existing sortie reports - again, top 70% will stay, 30% will go to OASC.
Also, in Group 3 those who are waiting for streaming, will be streamed in one job lot.
Group 4 will be sorted similar to 2 and 3 and face a super-super-streaming; either staying on in training or not depending on sortie reports to date.
In this group though, only the top 65% will stay.
Everyone going to OASC will be fighting for a miniscule number of ground trades - for the majority of these though, it'll be redundancy.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Craggy Island
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What about offering sabbaticals to the guys who've got / nearly got their wings? This would produce a de facto, airline-style holding pool. You freeze their commissions at the point they start their hiatus so you don't lose out on long-term return of service. At least it would give the poor sods an option to resurrect a military flying career and UK PLC gets a return on all those millions already spent.
Gentleman Aviator
Father Jack I see where you're coming from, but it won't happen. 
When recruiting returns, we will be looking for smaller numbers, and can be even pickier. Wannabees will still outnumber places by shedloads-fold, and they will be just as good and two years younger.
Meanwhile, on return to OASC the lucky (sic) ones with high OQs/PQs/B&Qs or whatever it is now will re-branch, those who have merely (sic) got high pilot aptitude will go.
I recall some flying studes a few years ago (when we weren't flush for pilots by any means) having their paperwork annotated "pilot only, will not be offered another officer branch if failed pilot training" or words to that effect.
Ex MoD numquam aliquid novi!
The system cannot afford a heart ...... but it hasn't even got a head ... only a calculator. 
When recruiting returns, we will be looking for smaller numbers, and can be even pickier. Wannabees will still outnumber places by shedloads-fold, and they will be just as good and two years younger.Meanwhile, on return to OASC the lucky (sic) ones with high OQs/PQs/B&Qs or whatever it is now will re-branch, those who have merely (sic) got high pilot aptitude will go.
I recall some flying studes a few years ago (when we weren't flush for pilots by any means) having their paperwork annotated "pilot only, will not be offered another officer branch if failed pilot training" or words to that effect.
Ex MoD numquam aliquid novi!
The system cannot afford a heart ......
but it hasn't even got a head ... only a calculator.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Craggy Island
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TH,
I get what you're saying about being picky but the younger, possibly more talented pilot recruits of the future will still require "millions of pounds" of training to get to the level of many of the people we are about to lose. Yes, we may end up with a slightly higher level of talent at the frontline, but we will still be paying out to train new pilots when we could be retaining people who have achieved course-standard and been awarded wings. I thought the priority was saving money and the suggested 100s of millions that we've already spent and are about to write-off is hardly chicken feed.
If I was one of the unfortunates and you offered me the option of a 1 to 2 year sabbatical, I'd take it in a heartbeat.
Holding pools seem to work very well for the airlines during a downturn, maybe this is one of those occasions where the RAF actually has something worth learning from commercial best-practice.
I get what you're saying about being picky but the younger, possibly more talented pilot recruits of the future will still require "millions of pounds" of training to get to the level of many of the people we are about to lose. Yes, we may end up with a slightly higher level of talent at the frontline, but we will still be paying out to train new pilots when we could be retaining people who have achieved course-standard and been awarded wings. I thought the priority was saving money and the suggested 100s of millions that we've already spent and are about to write-off is hardly chicken feed.
If I was one of the unfortunates and you offered me the option of a 1 to 2 year sabbatical, I'd take it in a heartbeat.
Holding pools seem to work very well for the airlines during a downturn, maybe this is one of those occasions where the RAF actually has something worth learning from commercial best-practice.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
FJH, one possibility that I think I floated earlier and needs to be addressed by both recruiters and redundees is reapplication.
There would be nothing to stop Bloggs leaving by the front door and going to the AFCO and reapplying in due course. He/She would be a known quantity and might even be accepted back in to training as a re-entrant with a shortened IOT.
This enforced sabatical might even have the additional benefit of giving them more life skills, an enforced rest from the pressure cooker of flying training, and the potential to ease back in more easily than your newer applicant.
Many of course will fall out of time, these will be your graduate studes that did not enter training immediately after university and perhaps took as gap year as well. It will favour the 2-A-level applicant who will naturally be well within the age range.
How will they handle the inevitable re-application?
There would be nothing to stop Bloggs leaving by the front door and going to the AFCO and reapplying in due course. He/She would be a known quantity and might even be accepted back in to training as a re-entrant with a shortened IOT.
This enforced sabatical might even have the additional benefit of giving them more life skills, an enforced rest from the pressure cooker of flying training, and the potential to ease back in more easily than your newer applicant.
Many of course will fall out of time, these will be your graduate studes that did not enter training immediately after university and perhaps took as gap year as well. It will favour the 2-A-level applicant who will naturally be well within the age range.
How will they handle the inevitable re-application?
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Europe
Age: 56
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You assume that people want to serve. But with a return of service like this, when the effort put in by people is huge, it must put off future recruits.
The harsh realities of finances is one thing, but blowing out the very reason you exist seems crazy to me. It's like the 1930s all over again.
The harsh realities of finances is one thing, but blowing out the very reason you exist seems crazy to me. It's like the 1930s all over again.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Mostly here, but often there
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It will favour the 2-A-level applicant who will naturally be well within the age range.
And a very enjoyable 19 years I had too.....but the grass is definitely not as sandy out here!
Does seem a little short-sighted, mind, and I wonder what will happen once the airlines start recruiting again in earnest. I understand BA may be after DEPs (potentially LH) again in the not-too-distant.....
How will they handle the inevitable re-application?
What an utterly disgraceful state of affairs......
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Scotland
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have just rxd an email from the RAF press office saying
[snip]
quickly followed by another apologising for a typo
[snip]
airsound
[snip]
quickly followed by another apologising for a typo
[snip]
airsound
A Battallion of Spinners
Beeb 1 'Look North' (Yorks) should be doing a piece ......
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BBC iPlayer - Look North (Yorkshire): 15/02/2011
Between 05:40 - 08:45 mins.
Between 05:40 - 08:45 mins.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Marmaris
Age: 68
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The BBC news on line are now saying a total of 175 or 43% of Trainee Pilots to be axed and no new Pilot Intake until after fiscal year 2011/2012. So it appears even worse than expected! The lunatics are running the asylum 
if I was running an airline a load of exceptionally qualified, disciplined military pilots would be of great interest.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PIRB
Age: 62
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yes very short sighted, millions spent on intensive training, but I know who I would rather be sat behind sipping a G&T when SLF, rather than some clown who flicks the wrong switches.