RAF missing a trick?
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,886
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From: U.S.A.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 57
From: Anglia
The problem with most comments on here is that they are in the main only aircrew related and in general ignorance of anything else outside their Mess.
Most aircraft trades have been decimated for years but denied by PC statements on-Station, within MOD and at Parliament. Even Contractor help is withdrawn in some places - I assume it is a similar trait across all the technical and support trades. The current dire straits are perfectly illuminated by the call for local ex-tradesmen to join up again as “Dads Air Force” Recruits. The RAF Trick was missed years ago by commercial attitudes to MOD training requirements - i.e. training budget is reduced first.
Most aircraft trades have been decimated for years but denied by PC statements on-Station, within MOD and at Parliament. Even Contractor help is withdrawn in some places - I assume it is a similar trait across all the technical and support trades. The current dire straits are perfectly illuminated by the call for local ex-tradesmen to join up again as “Dads Air Force” Recruits. The RAF Trick was missed years ago by commercial attitudes to MOD training requirements - i.e. training budget is reduced first.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,056
Likes: 2
From: London
The problem with most comments on here is that they are in the main only aircrew related and in general ignorance of anything else outside their Mess.
Most aircraft trades have been decimated for years but denied by PC statements on-Station, within MOD and at Parliament. Even Contractor help is withdrawn in some places - I assume it is a similar trait across all the technical and support trades. The current dire straits are perfectly illuminated by the call for local ex-tradesmen to join up again as “Dads Air Force” Recruits. The RAF Trick was missed years ago by commercial attitudes to MOD training requirements - i.e. training budget is reduced first.
Most aircraft trades have been decimated for years but denied by PC statements on-Station, within MOD and at Parliament. Even Contractor help is withdrawn in some places - I assume it is a similar trait across all the technical and support trades. The current dire straits are perfectly illuminated by the call for local ex-tradesmen to join up again as “Dads Air Force” Recruits. The RAF Trick was missed years ago by commercial attitudes to MOD training requirements - i.e. training budget is reduced first.
First the R&D budget goes, then training, then maintenance, then recruitment and finally travel.............. (the "we can save this Billion $ company by stopping people going to see a customer in Bristol" syndrome)
Oddly bonuses and share otions are never cut
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 556
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From: 4 Civvy Street. Nowhere-near-a-base. The Shires.
Well I heard recently the contractor has said that no-one asked them to train NCA so it could be 2022 before they're ready.
Those face to face meetings I had with them 4 or 5 years ago never happened then?
The kids flying training sorties on Avenger are figments of my imagination too, I expect.
Those face to face meetings I had with them 4 or 5 years ago never happened then?
The kids flying training sorties on Avenger are figments of my imagination too, I expect.
Joined: Aug 2007
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: Exeter
it would bee good though if they did a 21st century version of Fighter Pilot and Test Pilot which were great in the 70's and I'm sure did wonders for recruitment and the RAF in general.
What about a fly-on-the-wall documentary following the build up of aircrew on the F35?
I'm sure there at plenty of other opportunities for a fly-on-the-wall documentary which if done correctly could be great for the service.
If the TV company are making the documentary surely they carry the costs not the MOD/RAF
What about a fly-on-the-wall documentary following the build up of aircrew on the F35?
I'm sure there at plenty of other opportunities for a fly-on-the-wall documentary which if done correctly could be great for the service.
If the TV company are making the documentary surely they carry the costs not the MOD/RAF
Last edited by N.HEALD; 14th May 2018 at 15:20. Reason: Lousy typing (again)
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: The real world
The problem with most comments on here is that they are in the main only aircrew related and in general ignorance of anything else outside their Mess.
Most aircraft trades have been decimated for years but denied by PC statements on-Station, within MOD and at Parliament. Even Contractor help is withdrawn in some places - I assume it is a similar trait across all the technical and support trades. The current dire straits are perfectly illuminated by the call for local ex-tradesmen to join up again as “Dads Air Force” Recruits. The RAF Trick was missed years ago by commercial attitudes to MOD training requirements - i.e. training budget is reduced first.
Most aircraft trades have been decimated for years but denied by PC statements on-Station, within MOD and at Parliament. Even Contractor help is withdrawn in some places - I assume it is a similar trait across all the technical and support trades. The current dire straits are perfectly illuminated by the call for local ex-tradesmen to join up again as “Dads Air Force” Recruits. The RAF Trick was missed years ago by commercial attitudes to MOD training requirements - i.e. training budget is reduced first.
I don't doubt that there are recruitment issues across the board, I would like to think like the latest RN programme about Queen Elizabeth carrier any programme done about the RAF would cover a broad scope of trades and characters. If ever done however I wouldn't bank on it!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,315
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From: Next to Ross and Demelza
There was the superb series Rescue about the Lossiemouth SAR flight back in the early 1990s but the only other series I can think about was the Sky one about Brize Norton three or four years ago. I would agree that the Navy are far more switched on about TV PR, and the RAF -particularly in this year- really ought to do better.
Joined: Jul 2003
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 1,532
From: Near the coast
May I be blunt?!
Army do soldiering and tanks.
Navy do ships.
Air Force do planes (as far as the public is concerned that means fighters).
There have been two series that I can think of in the not so distant past about jets. There was Combat Pilot (I think that was the name) filmed at Valley in 2003 (I can be seen briefly in the background trying to get out of shot - I’ve never liked the idea of being on TV) and then the Lossie GR4 OCU programme a few years later. You can also add the aforementioned Brize programme to the list.
Maybe the TV companies think there have been enough jet programmes recently and that if it’s not a programme about jets, then what’s the point? I mean, seriously, who is going to watch a programme about admin or suppliers?
I know that sounds mean and flippant and will just serve to perpetuate the image of an arrogant FJ pilot, but am I wrong?!
BV
Navy do ships.
Air Force do planes (as far as the public is concerned that means fighters).
There have been two series that I can think of in the not so distant past about jets. There was Combat Pilot (I think that was the name) filmed at Valley in 2003 (I can be seen briefly in the background trying to get out of shot - I’ve never liked the idea of being on TV) and then the Lossie GR4 OCU programme a few years later. You can also add the aforementioned Brize programme to the list.
Maybe the TV companies think there have been enough jet programmes recently and that if it’s not a programme about jets, then what’s the point? I mean, seriously, who is going to watch a programme about admin or suppliers?
I know that sounds mean and flippant and will just serve to perpetuate the image of an arrogant FJ pilot, but am I wrong?!
BV
Joined: Mar 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
Posts: 8,024
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From: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Ah, Bob Viking, but what about the days when ...
The Army also had a Navy (RCT) and an Air Force (AAC)
The Navy also had an Army (RM) and an Air Force (FAA)
The RAF also had a Navy (Marine Branch) and an Army (RAF Regt)
Now try and advertise that melange!!
Sadly it tends to be all about Aircrew ... especially FJ pilots.
The Army also had a Navy (RCT) and an Air Force (AAC)
The Navy also had an Army (RM) and an Air Force (FAA)
The RAF also had a Navy (Marine Branch) and an Army (RAF Regt)
Now try and advertise that melange!!
Sadly it tends to be all about Aircrew ... especially FJ pilots.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: uk
Losing the yellow/red and gray helicopters was an interesting decision. Difficult choices were made and arguably sharper platforms had priority but this was a capability that can’t really be resurrected and a PR goldmine for the military. Yes yes I know the argument for core capability etc but we live in a media driven world now. Still, the Coastguard did well out of it. Every cloud.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
From: london
Ah, Bob Viking, but what about the days when ...
The Army also had a Navy (RCT) and an Air Force (AAC)
The Navy also had an Army (RM) and an Air Force (FAA)
The RAF also had a Navy (Marine Branch) and an Army (RAF Regt)
Now try and advertise that melange!!
Sadly it tends to be all about Aircrew ... especially FJ pilots.
The Army also had a Navy (RCT) and an Air Force (AAC)
The Navy also had an Army (RM) and an Air Force (FAA)
The RAF also had a Navy (Marine Branch) and an Army (RAF Regt)
Now try and advertise that melange!!
Sadly it tends to be all about Aircrew ... especially FJ pilots.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Joined: Jan 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,332
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From: England
Thanks, BEagle. That's the sort of thing that made me want to join. Luckily, my JP instructor reckoned the Lightning would be beyond me. He was almost certainly right. I'd have enjoyed the chance, but probably wouldn't be here today.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 253
From: London/Oxford/New York
While my instructor(s) advised me to steer well clear of the Lightning to avoid "climbing straight up to fly round in circles for 20 mins talking with your head stuck in a rubber bucket and then, if you haven't caught fire, had a hydraulic leak or run out of fuel, try to land." Only thing worse than that in their eyes was, heaven forfend, the V-Force!
