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AirTanker Civilian Pilots
From AirTanker website:
AirTanker will employ its own A330-200 type qualified pilots who will operate the aircraft when they are on the civil register. This group will include a number of instructors and examiners who will be responsible for the type and air transport line training of RAF pilots. Civil pilots employed by AirTanker will also be Sponsored Reservists. They will undertake regular training with the RAF in both military and tanker operations. Sponsored Reservists can be “Called Out” by the Ministry of Defence for permanent service alongside regular RAF personnel to provide a surge capability. Thanks |
The Sponsored Reserve concept enables the Ministry of Defence to enter into a defence contract on condition that an agreed element of the contractor's workforce has a reserve liability. These Reservists can be trained and called out to undertake the contracted task as members of the Armed Forces. |
The Army did a similar thing with their Osh Kosh tank transporters.
Some Serving personnel but mostly civies that can deploy. I guess it's a bit like being a retained fire man? |
Instructor, Examiner and with a call-out liability? I imagine that would mean a somewhat higher salary than a basic A330 airline captain might expect to receive? |
Very laudable; however, I suspect you may well be in the minority.
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I seem to recall 101 at Brize had a VC10 Flight Engineer who was well into his 60's before he finally retired. On that basis can I apply for a job down the back? Not sure if this is probe and drogue but if not I'm sure I could learn to fly a boom. One thing though, my flying suits seem to have shrunk, so I may need some new ones.:)
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This doesn’t add much to the discussion; but offered for what it’s worth. Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Equipment and Logistics | Progress made in Future Aircraft programme
http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D8E86...g_800x600U.jpg As regards Sponsored Reserves; Categories of Reservists - Volunteer, Full-time, High Readiness, & Sponsored Reservists and House of Commons - Defence - First Report |
thanks for the info on sponsored reservists.
So as an AirTanker civilian 'copilot' in normal day to day operations you would be flying pax around europe as an A330 First Officer. Then when the UK goes to war, you get called up, and become "Flying Officer", flying military transport/tanker missions? I take it there is still a 900hr/yr flying limit? Staff travel benefits!? |
From GBZ's photo can we take it that the RAF version of the KC330 will not have the new Airbus designed boom - so will our new tanker not be able to help USAF aircraft?
Also is it the case that the RAF KC330 will not have the ability to be refuelled itself? (I saw some quote that it had enough range without refuelling capability) But didn't the version offered to the USAF recently have this capability? |
No boom for RAF tankers and no probe either. A probe was discussed early on but was decided the range didn't warrant it.
Sponsored Reserve engineers too. |
Thanks SM.
Any idea what the Oz version will have. And the version being offered to the Armee de l'Air |
RAAF version is the KC-30A.
Same for the KC-45A for the USAF. Although I'm not sure whether that'll have a centreline drogue as well - I don't think so. |
Thanks BEagle.
Is the Brit version equipped with a centreline drogue? (Not shown on the photo) So in true British tradition (miltary and civilian) we are not getting the best aircraft. We get a bean counter option Surely the best option set up is : Wing AAR pods - yes Boom - yes Able to receive fuel - yes (probe & receptacle) Centre Line Drogue - yes That way all "allied" aircraft can be serviced |
The KC-45 design does include a centre-line hose; the KC-30A not so, as deemed not required.
So when does Airtanker start recruiting these A330-200 type qualified AAR instructors? And from where will they come? I'd also be interested to see the agreed security screening requirements for sponsored reservists. It could be a great gig though - even better if there was a receiver capability - but thrashing around a North Sea towline fo a living without pulling SDO, station 540, Mess Ents committee, Brown-nosing or JPA in one's spare time. Hell, I might even send in my CV; in about 5 years :ok: |
If anyone thinks it'd be a lovely flying job without the Brize career crawling influence they'll be sadly wrong. Or if there's any civilian 'bucket n spade' flying with it either.
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Ministry of Defence | Fact Sheets | Project Factsheets | Future Stategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) Questions & Answers
Q. How many refuelling points will FSTA have? A. All FSTA aircraft will be capable of at least twin point refuelling, from underwing pods, five will in addition have a centreline Hose Drum Unit for refuelling Large Aircraft – but not simultaneously with use of the underwing pods Will the "moonlighters" have stick on/peel off markings (roundel, flash, serial No/Reg letters)? |
I wonder how they will handle the physical security of the moonlighters and the crews when parked overnight at some costa-del-middle of nowhere? Or will they always return to Blighty each night?:uhoh: And how will foriegn airports take to having a military marked aircraft ('are you sure those things under the wings aren't missiles?') milling about the pan? Hope someone somewhere has had a thouight or two?!
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Will the "moonlighters" have stick on/peel off markings (roundel, flash, serial No/Reg letters)? Maybe they'll just have no identification markings except tiny little national markings. Like a certain nation's jets which didn't land in the UK... Of course not. Absolutely not...:oh: |
Surely the best option set up is : Wing AAR pods - yes Boom - yes Able to receive fuel - yes (probe & receptacle) Centre Line Drogue - yes That way all "allied" aircraft can be serviced If there is a need for a multi - national tanker force, then NATO can set it up can't they? |
Why would the RAF pay for a boom that they don't use |
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