It was somewhat heartening to read the veiled criticism of the DHE with a recommendation that the rent increase for the best SFA will be capped at 2.7% with a graduated reduction in the percentage increase for the lower standard SFA.

From para 3.17 of the report:

"RAF full-time trained strength was 46,940 at 1 Apr 2006 - a deficit of 0.7% and in broad manning balance although masking severe deficits in key specialisations. By October 2006 the deficit increased to 5.7% as manning levels reduced faster than the requirement"

Well if ever we needed proof the RAF are in meltdown, there it is in black and white!:eek:

Ginseng, you're correct! After doing the math, it would seem that LACs (High & Low Band) will be getting the big 9.4% and Low Band SAC Level 2 the 6.2%. The rest of us get the 3.3% (actually 3.37%).

So let me get this right,
As an Army AH pilot, working my self and family into the ground, if I wanted an FRI I would have to see if I could transfer to either the RN or RAF?
And all this because of the draw down of Gazelle and Lynx.
Hang on a minute - even if the other 2 services wouldn't accept my transfer, I am certainly not working the routine I am now and will be asking to go back onto another aircraft type where the pace of life isn't so damaging.
Or I could just stop whining like an Astazou and face the fact that lights are on but no one is at home and accept that no one is listening or cares and just sign off and go to CHC or Netjets.
If there are any any ex-Army guys in the other Services, did you keep your pension and were you also entitled to the FRI? Have any WO/NCOs made it through the wire?
This is another reason why we should just go Joint - one rule, one job, one company, one Boss - not the deviscive inter-Service stuff that this highlights.

Hidden promise of 3%+ inflation next year
 

oops - didn't quite get that prediction right re waiting for the inflation announcement. Perhaps I should work in the Treasury and forecast manning levels for the next 5 years:\ Can't get it much worse.

Did notice the hidden pay rise intention for next year though. Pension benefit comparison reduced from 7% to 4% from Apr 07. Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't this mean a pay rise before inflation of around 3% next year. i.e. if it had happened last year, this year's rise would be 6.3%?:suspect:

Please tell me I'm being too optimistic:O

I guess thats my mind made up then. An extra person for CTT 8 required!

I guess there was no interest in catching AH guys before the Dishforth to Wattisham swap takes its bite out of the manning of AH.

Not like its a popular operational platform with a critical pinch point manning issue at the moment then. Can't possibly be as it wasn't an issue raised in the report.

Any truth in the rumour that someone just admitted the figures were wrong and the 70 pilot surplus was actually a defecit?

:D

StarbucksJ:
I'm afraid your maths are a little optimistic. A 3% reduction in the pension value comparator does not translate into a 3% rise in Military Salary. If only it were that simple!
JTO:
Watch out for major changes to food charges strategy from 1 Jul 07. you didn't hear it from me, OK?
Regards
Ginseng

Come on then Ginseng, give us a clue!

PAYD whilst deployed on Ops? Banning of all T-Bars when at home? Little Chef to be given the monopoly for all Service messes?

Bootflap
 

Sorry.

"Not to be communicated to anyone outside HM Service without authority."

This is t'internet you know!

Search at work for 2007DIN02-075.

Regards

Ginseng

So is that the extra £50k at the end of the five years' commitment? Or £100k (minus tax and NI) up front? Must say, I agree D-IFFers; guys on staff college or in the boarding school trap will take the cash and be jolly happy. Nonetheless, given that Easy (for example) have reportedly suggested fast-track command for suitably qualified RAF chaps, with a salary of £75-80k plus the pension... is there a choice? Other than Virgin, ofcourse, who are hiring again..

359 days to go....

bloody hell
 

Why with all the "gurus" out there can we not get it right. I am chuffed for the Army toms getting some more wedge for working there tits off. When it comes to aviation the senior levels rake it in. Have not seen that many senior officers doing the back to back dets ( in the driving seat) seen a awful lot of RAF spec aircrew and AAC senior NCO s though, funny old thing these are the people who have been about a bit. FAA Honestly can't say am sure they are but I have not been with them so can't comment, mind you have the a ship to come home to?. Do they ( who are they?) honestly think that the spec aircrew of whatever rank will sit on the good old pension trap for ever....... nope think the manning levels dropping kinda proves that but with companies like Virgin paying OK wedge to fly and have a life even the most commited people have to have a look and compare the life/work cycle. Mind you, cynical as I am right now, most of the powers that be only have to stick there finger in the Dyke for two years then they move on and can say when I was in charge we had no figures to prove there was a problem. OK wine took over I'll get my coat.

Just This Once,
I too saw the statement about removal of free food while on detached duty. I'm hoping the policy refers only to detachments to other home units. Op deployments usually involve field rations, and therefore should remain free of charge.

AC Ovee
 

"Field Conditions (Food)" regulations, which generally relate to operational deployments, are not changing (allegedly) - but of course, I never said that.

Regards

Ginseng

Jesus!
Guys (and girls!) thanks for all of the PMs - some really good top tips.
It has well and truly made up my mind. All of the AAC Officers that are looking at flying a desk should seriously consider looking over the fence - there really is considerably more options availible from the other 2 Services, and not just rotary.
As to the NCOs, certainly looks as though there is scope to explore the avenues for a transfer and apply for a commission - again not limited to rotary.
I just really cannot see why HQ DAAvn (that sells itself to the rest of us light blue as looking after its own in a hostile 'Joint' environment)has allowed this to take place. If the AAC is so toppers for aircrew then why not do what the Navy boys did with 3BAS/847 and get rid of the dead wood and commission the remainder - then within the Joint Helicopter world the ebb and flow of aircrew manning could be taken on with a Joint perspective to alleviate these 'pinch points'.
Equally, thanks for those ex Services in civvie street that have provided some good info on the way of the civvie market - and certainly looks an option (especially from Mrs Front Seaters perspective).
Do you know the sad thing - I actually enjoy my job, still believe in Queen and Country and if we had been manned correctly from the beginning then I probably wouldn't feel so tired of just waiting for some good news - steady state my @rse

Front Seater Very true.

My son in law was a SSgt doing a very important job on helicopter electronics with the REME. The Army would neither promote him (30) nor commission him. He explored escape routes and is now a Sqn Ldr serving in JHC. The escape tunnel to a commission and promotion to senior rank took only 6 years.

With the switch to expeditionary warfare, and a temporary switch to air support, there is clearly scope for people used to Army ways.

AA, that would be great if the AAC were getting rid of the Gaz. However its now being extended to 2018! The surplus was actually a shortfall!

Still not a great deal for the guys at the coal face.

Shaun

Aircrew Retention 2007
 

Having just read the Armed Forces Pay Review 2007 I must say I'm a little confused. There is reference to extending the FRI by another three years in response to an 18% deficit in pilots up to Lt Cdr but the figures only mention the new additional 50k for senior officers. So have we still got the 30k FRI at the 5yr point or should we assume by its absence in the report that it has been withdrawn?

Jez, just had a read of said doc and was also confused by this part in the text, anyone heard anything about whether the £30k (or £18k after tax) at IPP - 5 years is still in circulation or has it been withdrawn completely?

undermanned or surplus??
 

Well recently in parlimentary written questions, the subject of current manning within the AAC was brougyht up and the figures were as follows:

First figure is planned strength and second figure actual strength.

1 Regt AAC: 60 (54)
3 Regt AAC: 85 (57)
4 Regt AAC: 85 (63)
5 Regt AAC: 93 (64)
9 Regt AAC: 85 (69)

This doesn't take into account people on conversion courses, although it doesn't take the brains of the holy one to work out that is at max 20..

So on those figures (as at Feb 07) I make that 101 aircrew not accounted for..
and even with the withdrawal of Gazelle, which I believe has been extended again...

But I guess what is more bitter to swallow is that the RAF/RN FRI was based upon the lure of civvi flying. So let me get this straight...Army and RM pilots aren't able to find employment outside the services?? Me thinks not.

Add to this the latest slap in the face of recalculating rates of pay, so that there is no seniority in length of flying service...well all I can say is someone has taken a hoofing big gun and aimed it well and truly at their feet!!

:*

At Gatwick yesterday met an oppo of mine, also just by looking around saw at least 3 or 4 other Mil looking chaps. Then later in the day spoke to another oppo who had just done his exams at Cranfield and he was amazed at the amount of people he knew there..


Door seems to be very open just now..............