Gunners and other Pongos take a rubber-hosing from the MAA
Champagne anyone...?
HTB - you are of course quite correct that "irregardless" is a dreadful Americanism. In my defense 
it was very early..... Ish.
VR - there's a first time for everything!
it was very early..... Ish.VR - there's a first time for everything!
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There's a good reason why Predator and Reaper use aircrew - they need to be qualified and rated on type. Even those used that have not done the full recognised aircrew courses for manned aircraft - such as the Uk's Project DAEDALUS - have flown solo in a manned aircraft and have completed a course of recognised trg. On completion of the course they were awarded Unmmaned Aircrew wings and are, to all intents and purposes, de facto aircrew, with at least 170-190hrs of experience like that for a baby ME pilot in the RAF.
LJ,
I speak from ignorance on this, but are you certain of these qualifications, given that there are currently RAF Fighter Controllers and a Policeman currently working as 'pilots' on RPAS in the USA?
S.O.
LJ,
I speak from ignorance on this, but are you certain of these qualifications, given that there are currently RAF Fighter Controllers and a Policeman currently working as 'pilots' on RPAS in the USA?
S.O.
Last edited by skippedonce; 10th Oct 2012 at 18:40.
Thread Starter
Have a look at...
UAV trial shows non-pilots 'equally skilled', says RAF
And then for more detail...
http://intellibriefs.********.co.uk/...-usaf-and.html
Basically, DAEDALUS saw non-aviator experienced Ops Spt officers (ATC, FC and RAFP) fly 35hrs in a Grob (including solo), 80-odd hours in the Tucano sim to learn instrument flying (including an IRT without close formation live flight), 40-odd hours on the UAS fundamentals course simulators and then a Predator A Formal Trg Unit (FTU read OCU in Uk language). Rumour was that on the FTU that the DAEDALUS pilots performed better than some from manned aircraft backgrounds.
Also, a few ab initio FJ pilots were also sent to Reaper under DAEDALUS and did very well.
It was a success but we are awash with pilots without cockpits, so why train any more non-aviators?
LJ
UAV trial shows non-pilots 'equally skilled', says RAF
And then for more detail...
http://intellibriefs.********.co.uk/...-usaf-and.html
Basically, DAEDALUS saw non-aviator experienced Ops Spt officers (ATC, FC and RAFP) fly 35hrs in a Grob (including solo), 80-odd hours in the Tucano sim to learn instrument flying (including an IRT without close formation live flight), 40-odd hours on the UAS fundamentals course simulators and then a Predator A Formal Trg Unit (FTU read OCU in Uk language). Rumour was that on the FTU that the DAEDALUS pilots performed better than some from manned aircraft backgrounds.
Also, a few ab initio FJ pilots were also sent to Reaper under DAEDALUS and did very well.
It was a success but we are awash with pilots without cockpits, so why train any more non-aviators?
LJ
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Pongos ?
"Pongo" was in use in WW2 (the derivation was said to be "a small brown animal"). But in later service (1949/1972), I hardly (if ever) heard it.
It seems to have come back again in the present RAF vocabulary. Does anybody know the true source and meaning of the word ? In my time it was always used in a semi-perjorative/semi-good-natured sense.
Danny42C.
It seems to have come back again in the present RAF vocabulary. Does anybody know the true source and meaning of the word ? In my time it was always used in a semi-perjorative/semi-good-natured sense.
Danny42C.
Thread Starter
Fish Head = Navy
Pongo = Army
Crab = Air Force
Then...
Boot Neck = Marine
Jack Tar = Sailor
Tommy = Soldier
... Not sure about Airmen, though...lots have their individual names "growbag", "sooty", "dog f^cker", "scopie", "rock ape", etc...
LJ
Pongo = Army
Crab = Air Force
Then...
Boot Neck = Marine
Jack Tar = Sailor
Tommy = Soldier
... Not sure about Airmen, though...lots have their individual names "growbag", "sooty", "dog f^cker", "scopie", "rock ape", etc...
LJ
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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As the late Frank Grimshaw, (RAF Hunters, ADDF, Gulf Air), was ever mindful to tell me, "The pongo was a small brown monkey of limited intelligence", which prompted me to research some pretty unsavory stuff about crabs and their lifestyle! One I particularly remember is that crabs have no difficulty in eating each other if needs arise!
The AAC used to be riddled with the Royal Artillery from the AOP days in the 'forties through to the formation of the AAC into regiments and squadrons etc. sometime in the 'seventies.
The AAC used to be riddled with the Royal Artillery from the AOP days in the 'forties through to the formation of the AAC into regiments and squadrons etc. sometime in the 'seventies.
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Pongolo was the name for a cheap alcoholic beverage in Georgian times which was applied to UK based soldiers as they were (allegedly) often seen in public houses. In common with many words it became abbreviated over time.
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Pongos ?
Thanks, everbody !
Mighty Gem,
Not heard of that one - it's new on me (in my time, that is)....D.
Leon J,
Airmen ? - always "erk". Of the others, only "rock apes" (RAF Regt) in my day. "Crabs" must be something very new - never heard of it......D.
Parabellum,
Your chap Grimshaw sounds nearest to my "small brown animal". And do crabs come in that colour before boiling ? (just asking).....D.
BEagle,
The clear winner ! But if this is a "small brown animal", I'd hate to meet a big one !.......D.
Mind at rest now, problem solved (shows never too old to learn).
Danny42C.
Mighty Gem,
Not heard of that one - it's new on me (in my time, that is)....D.
Leon J,
Airmen ? - always "erk". Of the others, only "rock apes" (RAF Regt) in my day. "Crabs" must be something very new - never heard of it......D.
Parabellum,
Your chap Grimshaw sounds nearest to my "small brown animal". And do crabs come in that colour before boiling ? (just asking).....D.
BEagle,
The clear winner ! But if this is a "small brown animal", I'd hate to meet a big one !.......D.
Mind at rest now, problem solved (shows never too old to learn).
Danny42C.
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Aren't RAF OR's known as 'guins by those sterling heroes of the EFI Defence Force?
