Pilots
 

What are the differences between a British Army Pilot, a Navy Pilot and a Royal Air Force (RAF) Pilot?

This could be fun. Where is my popcorn?

Easy. Army pilots fly helicopters, Navy pilots fly Sea Harriers and helicopters and RAF pilots float around in fast jets or heavy transport. You can easily recognise an Army pilot by his cravat, loafers and yellow cords, a Navy pilot by his blazer with nautical crest and an RAF pilot by his farah slacks, leather piano tie and slip on plastic shoes.

Do I win? ;)

The army guy knows how to kill, skin and eat navy or RAF pilots when the going gets tough.

CG

Long way to go yet. We await the opinions of 'the usual suspects':E

Army pilots land on whatever's handy, Navy land on the roof of a boat, and RAF land, but only if ATC let 'em.

D. ('ware incoming)

You will not see the Army Pilot. The Navy Pilots will be in the cresh. The RAF Pilot will be at the bar telling everyone he is a Pilot.:

I tried to transfer to the Navy (at the Navy's suggestion), but the RAF wouldn't allow it. One of my navs tried to transfer to the Army Air Corps for pilot training (at Army's suggestion), but the RAF wouldn't allow it. I have heard of pilots transferring once they had wangled an exchange tour. Ditto with foreign aviators.

So just because a pilot is in one force doesn't mean that they wouldn't be accepted into another, which renders all arguments about capability moot, but I doubt that will stop any of it ;)

About the only relevant question is "Why did you join?"

Best answer I have overheard, at about 9pm in the bar at a Battle of Britain Do.

Civvy "Why did you join the RAF?"
XXV Pilot "I was Drunk!"
Civvy "So, why are you still in after 12 years?"
XXV Pilot "I'm still drunk!"

He was, too.

Navy pilots has traditions, Army pilots have customs, RAF pilots have habits.

O-D

"...and bad ones, at that!"

said a senior Naval Officer to me. ;)

Navy and Army pilots are condemned to fly only horrible clattering things (including Islanders) - and only do so to escape driving boats or scrabbling about in mud and dung.

Whereas RAF pilots fly a full range of aircraft and live (mostly) in vastly superior comfort, unlike the fish-heads and pongos....

What are the differences between a British Army Pilot, a Navy Pilot and a Royal Air Force (RAF) Pilot?


Precious little. All three are consummate professionals in their own sphere of operations - although the RAF live in the greatest comfort, with the Navy a fairly close second place and Teeny Weeny Airways a distant third!

Do what? Blimey, can you get rose-tinted glasses on the NHS these days ?

The difference between the RAF pilot and those from the other two services is that his application to join the RAF has already been accepted.

No, he's right. Apart from the last bit:
:=

Navy Sea Harriers - LOL

The only good bit of their most recent recruiting TV campaign - and complete lies since they're all razor blades.

Sharpest they've ever been! ;)

Army pilots and Navy pilots tend to go to war with the troops, RAF Troops send their pilots to war.... A much more sensible idea :)

The RAF has very clever troops, as a rule.

As evidenced by the old joke about the failure of an RAF J/T to salute an Army Major

Major: " If you were in the Army, you'd have to salute me"
J/T: "If I were in the Army, I'd be a Colonel"


That said, I discovered after the invasion of Kuwait that RAF other ranks were extremely aware that their aircrew were off to be shot at whilst they sat 500 miles way playing cards, and they were extra-ordinarily appreciative. My grandfather mended Lancasters, and so I can report it was always thus.

No mention of Royal Marine pilots...