Skilled Pilot Entry
 

Good Day,

Anyone ever heard of an Air Force allowing skilled civilian pilots to fly military aircraft?

In Canada, the Air Reserve does allow skilled pilots to fly the CH-146 Griffon or the CT-142 Gonzo, a Dash 8 variant for radar navigation training.

I'm curious if other Air Forces have tried this concept and how it resulted.

Barry

DHFS at RAF Shawbury and SARTU at Valley utilises civilians for 40% of their instructor force although they are all ex military.

The Volunteer Gliding Squadrons of the Air Training Corps also use civilian instructors to operate their Grob Vigilants and Vikings.

Air Tanker recently placed an advert in FI for a A330 TRI/TRE, and there was no stipulation that the candidate be a former QSP - just that the candidate should be able to acquire sponsored reserve status.

I expect though that ex-QSPs will be at a very substantial advantage for the TRI/TRE post and for line pilot positions once recruitment starts in earnest, supposedly next year.