BA to RAF
There is some real crap being spouted above. For those still serving, join The Crew Room’ on Defence Gateway, where a well respected aircrew mate explains the whole story. Essentially, it is happening; no regular serving aircrew will be compromised by being stepped over etc,. Previous pilots can expect to go to the aircraft they were more familiar with including FJ and SH. QFI and QHI’s can expect to be employed in the training world. Former Sqn Ldr’s can expect crap staff jobs at HWY and potential OOA’s and finally anyone who has not done IOT will have to do the full shilling. Bottom line: this is a good deal for both sides with lots of holes in the RAF being filled - but for the BA guys, do not expect BZN or WAD by default, unless that is where you left from.
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It is accurate. We all had a preliminary application form to fill out. Someone in the know gave out a list of all those areas currently in need of flying staff. Voyager is in no need of pilots! Other areas are short.
There are huge numbers of exRAF and Naval aviators in BA. Some of these are within the last 5 years and could fill gaps. Hawk QFIs for example. There’s are a few currently flying reservists in BA too. This is for them ... not for wannabe FJ pilots.
There are huge numbers of exRAF and Naval aviators in BA. Some of these are within the last 5 years and could fill gaps. Hawk QFIs for example. There’s are a few currently flying reservists in BA too. This is for them ... not for wannabe FJ pilots.
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oooh don’t mention the cheese board. Front end lost that benefit to keep the Flight Eng’s on in company after the classic went. Much bone of contention as it’s a Cabin Service Director Entitlement! 
in all seriousness it’s going to be a godsend for many young professionals staring down the barrel of some very difficult times.
in all seriousness it’s going to be a godsend for many young professionals staring down the barrel of some very difficult times.
Party animal has it spot on.
Anyone with access to defence connect please read the thread to prevent uninformed bull faeces being spread.
Great for the RAF to fill gaps, and great for those who are at least then able
to pay the mortgage etc IMHO.
Anyone with access to defence connect please read the thread to prevent uninformed bull faeces being spread.
Great for the RAF to fill gaps, and great for those who are at least then able
to pay the mortgage etc IMHO.
SERE is now the third part of main course not the four weeks I did.
And how will others who have completed IOT and NOCs and airmen feel about that idea?
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Yes Pa is right. the armed forces wants (like everyone else) the low hanging fruit, simply because is would be mad to spend money on some one, who’s priority no. 1 is to go back to BA, when seniority list calls. And lets be honest, the armed forces does not IMHO provide terms and conditions including geographical location good enough for someone living in Wimbledon. I’ve been there done that, and never looked back. Flights are few but ok, the rest no thanks.
Dr dre,
great. I’m sure the RAF is looking forward to their expression of interest.
great. I’m sure the RAF is looking forward to their expression of interest.
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As ever, well I suppose it is a rumour forum, there is a fair amount of bunkum being posted. The RAF has had a rejoiner programme for all branches and trades for the past 3 years or so. Pretty successful too. Here is the link to that website: https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/h...rvice-transfer
So far, as I understand it, the BA BALPA announcement is effectively hanging off of the back of this programme too. So those with previous service as an officer - both as a pilot or maybe another branch with suitable flying experience - which would be a qualified entrant (which other branches already have). Finally there is the true lateral entrant - no mil flying and no military background whatsoever, but injected past the normal training pipelines. That is yet to be done, and in some ways it never will be. If you join an organisation, even BA, there will be induction, indoctrination in company ethos/practices and line training to be done; the FAA, AAC and RAF are no different. So there will just be different qualified entrant pathways, where during selection some accreditation of previous learning, knowledge and experience can be made. Again, that is already with the RAF with the AP7000 Bespoke Training Requirements (BTR) form that looks to the ‘owners’ of various training schemes to make an assessment of the training required, either waive it or reduce the amount required if able. For someone coming to the RAF with zero military experience and zero military flying, then that pathway is going to still be quite lengthy, and then you have to ask - what is the point? Especially when you consider the returns of service required to give the taxpayer the return on the cost of this training, then it is not far off what a traditional entrant would need.
Finally, I understand the bottom line to all of this is that those currently serving cannot be disadvantaged by this. We have to keep the career pathways and aspirations of those that are currently serving fully intact. I guess the Unions would call that “Workers’ Rights”? So BALPA, the other unions and the commercial companies will be fully au fait with that too. However, for both the Services, the airline companies and most importantly the poor souls caught up in this, this should be a good news story all round. Even those serving and going through the flying training pipeline right now. This is because many returning, even before this BA piece, are filling some of the instructor gaps and experience gaps, so that we can take more people faster through initial flying training pipelines, OCUs and then CR workups on the front line.
PS. Someone mentioned flying badges. Well QR727 is quite clear on this, that to get one, you have to do a recognised course of military flying training to get one - so just recently a qualified entrant to Voyager received his RAF Pilot Flying Badge having successfully met the standard to graduate from the Voyager OCU. Well done to him too.
So far, as I understand it, the BA BALPA announcement is effectively hanging off of the back of this programme too. So those with previous service as an officer - both as a pilot or maybe another branch with suitable flying experience - which would be a qualified entrant (which other branches already have). Finally there is the true lateral entrant - no mil flying and no military background whatsoever, but injected past the normal training pipelines. That is yet to be done, and in some ways it never will be. If you join an organisation, even BA, there will be induction, indoctrination in company ethos/practices and line training to be done; the FAA, AAC and RAF are no different. So there will just be different qualified entrant pathways, where during selection some accreditation of previous learning, knowledge and experience can be made. Again, that is already with the RAF with the AP7000 Bespoke Training Requirements (BTR) form that looks to the ‘owners’ of various training schemes to make an assessment of the training required, either waive it or reduce the amount required if able. For someone coming to the RAF with zero military experience and zero military flying, then that pathway is going to still be quite lengthy, and then you have to ask - what is the point? Especially when you consider the returns of service required to give the taxpayer the return on the cost of this training, then it is not far off what a traditional entrant would need.
Finally, I understand the bottom line to all of this is that those currently serving cannot be disadvantaged by this. We have to keep the career pathways and aspirations of those that are currently serving fully intact. I guess the Unions would call that “Workers’ Rights”? So BALPA, the other unions and the commercial companies will be fully au fait with that too. However, for both the Services, the airline companies and most importantly the poor souls caught up in this, this should be a good news story all round. Even those serving and going through the flying training pipeline right now. This is because many returning, even before this BA piece, are filling some of the instructor gaps and experience gaps, so that we can take more people faster through initial flying training pipelines, OCUs and then CR workups on the front line.
PS. Someone mentioned flying badges. Well QR727 is quite clear on this, that to get one, you have to do a recognised course of military flying training to get one - so just recently a qualified entrant to Voyager received his RAF Pilot Flying Badge having successfully met the standard to graduate from the Voyager OCU. Well done to him too.
Surely the starting point in this discussion is what posts the air force have current difficulty in filling. From previous posts it would appear the training system cant cope with the front line demands (perhaps someone could clarify?)
If that is indeed the case then presumably only pilots who have recently left the military and are able to slot back in with minimal refresher training would be of any use.
If that is indeed the case then presumably only pilots who have recently left the military and are able to slot back in with minimal refresher training would be of any use.
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I heard through a BA buddy of mine BALPA are negotiating with the RAF the F35/Typhoon slots to the BA guys/girls <28 years old to entice them across as their current pay is significantly higher than what the RAF offer thus any future or current RAF trainees go multi engine/general officer duties. It would mean a short service commission though. I think if there’s any truth in it we as an industry should hang our heads in shame. Many of friend of mine worked their bollocks off to get in the pointy end of a fast jet not a fat end of a transporter.
Sad times
Sad times
absolute BS and rightfully so too.
Surely the starting point in this discussion is what posts the air force have current difficulty in filling. From previous posts it would appear the training system cant cope with the front line demands (perhaps someone could clarify?)
If that is indeed the case then presumably only pilots who have recently left the military and are able to slot back in with minimal refresher training would be of any use.
If that is indeed the case then presumably only pilots who have recently left the military and are able to slot back in with minimal refresher training would be of any use.
Naysayers
If there’s one thing that is drilled into you when you join the military it is to employ initiative and problem solve.
The lateral recruitment plan may not be easy but we all know a solution can be found.
I think the involved parties should be applauded for seeing an opportunity and running with it. If it doesn’t work out then nothing ventured nothing gained.
I know many people in the civilian aviation sector and I feared for all of them when this all kicked off. Especially those that were ‘last in’.
If this scheme can keep just one of my former colleagues from claiming universal credit then it’s a job well done in my mind.
Of course it’ll be a pay cut for a BA Captain to rejoin the RAF (they know that) but for the money they’re likely to earn I guess they would gladly peel potatoes for 3-4 years rather than drive a delivery truck for 1/4 of the money.
So from me it’s a big thumbs up for those trying to make it work and a big thumbs down to all the whingers who can only see the negatives.
BV
The lateral recruitment plan may not be easy but we all know a solution can be found.
I think the involved parties should be applauded for seeing an opportunity and running with it. If it doesn’t work out then nothing ventured nothing gained.
I know many people in the civilian aviation sector and I feared for all of them when this all kicked off. Especially those that were ‘last in’.
If this scheme can keep just one of my former colleagues from claiming universal credit then it’s a job well done in my mind.
Of course it’ll be a pay cut for a BA Captain to rejoin the RAF (they know that) but for the money they’re likely to earn I guess they would gladly peel potatoes for 3-4 years rather than drive a delivery truck for 1/4 of the money.
So from me it’s a big thumbs up for those trying to make it work and a big thumbs down to all the whingers who can only see the negatives.
BV
Thinking of applying but my Polo is not that good; would I still stand a chance?
