AAC FRI
 

Well, after nearly two years of deliberation they finally announce the FRi (together with news regarding clawing back aledged over payments of RRP...
and yet again is wide of the mark, lacking in parity and shows us as the poorer cousins of military aviation.......I guess some thanks should go tot he other services for the delay....:ugh:

How wide of the mark?
 

Was this just released today? What's the bottom line then as this will be the benchmark for the other services?

Rather than just criticising the other services in the last line perhaps you could post a link or some detail to add substance to your complaining? Then we might appreciate how it's all the fault of the RAF & RN.......

The AAC did not take up FRI3 but held a right to revisit - which it attempted. The application was met with some reservation from the other services though and ultimately led to a delay and rewrite of the original submission which is now heavily diluted.

FIR is being used to address statistic based exit points, hence large number of DE officers have become eligible, a spattering of LE aircrew and a few SNCO aircrew.

Not sure what the uptake will be from cohorts who were planning to leave, but certainly career officers identified and eligiblre will be saying thank you very much.

The amounts and RosS reflect the FRI3 figures (100K for 5)

£100k taxed?

Looks like the root cause of the delay is pretty clear!

How could it not be?

Exactly. Not sure how the AAC not taking up FRI3 is the fault of the RN and RAF.

Now I'm no tax specialist but......actually in your pocket? And as for the target audience, well it has been no real secret that certain elements of the AAC CofC are strongly in favour of dispensing with the services of NCO pilots. So for it to encourage one group to consider remaining whilst not caring a toss about the other speaks volumes really. Spend it wisely!

New Pay Model
 

So how retention positive is this attempt when coupled with the new pay model released today?!?

How do aircrew fayre in the new pay model? Flying Pay for example?

When the "powers that be" admitted to a shortfall of pilots they proposed an FRI that met with a large degree of concern/discontent from the other two services who insisted it reflect more or less the terms offered by FRI3. This alone cost 18 months. (The original plan was to offer ALL Army brevet holders the FRI).

The amounts offered are subject to tax and NICS and as will take most over the 150k annual salary threshhold - also attract tax at 45% on amounts over 150k.(Not to mention the requirement to file a self assesment for earnings over 100k).

Therefore 100K actually equates to just over 50K (10k per year).

Not that attractive when compared with comparative salary and pension.

As for SNCO pilots....who needs them? :eek: (Best check the number who flew in the Battle of Britiain!!)

Is the aircrew shortfall to do with Apache, or, Lynx drawdown? I seem to recall the AAC shedding lots of Lynx pilots in 2007, but this could have just been the guys leaving to rejoin their regiments, where seniority meant more.

The [circa] 10k p.a - that this ends up being - must also be considered in light of a few factors, such as the time it takes to transition to a new career, the likelihood of gaining a 10k p.a rise immediately upon on leaving (in addition to the benefits of Service), the lack of Fg Pay for your final year while you PVR etc.

Many get lucky with jobs and see the light a year or two beyond service. Many don't.

I believe FRIs have their place and work for certain groups. For others they don't hit the mark as we've seen before.

"many don't"
Can't quite agree with you on that one MSOCS. But, I can only go on my experience from a fairly small cadre, and I'll happily bow to your view if you have sight of the bigger picture.
If a pilot is at the end of their service then he will pick up a pension that would for arguments sake cancel that £10k out before they even get to an interview. I would also add that the lump sum is there as well but we'll ignore that.
Every single one of the guys and gals that have left with me have got employment as a pilot within 8 months of leaving, the majority less than a couple of months.
From my own time as a civvy and speaking to those now employed the jump is at the very least 10 grand BUT it is the change in pace, lifestyle, work life balance that is the main driver. The money is NEVER mentioned.
Those that take the FRI were going to stay anyway. As for the out flow, I would describe the AH force as haemorrhaging, but that's just me.....£19k better off and I see the change in my family on a daily basis....wonderful.

Rotate,

Very pleased that your transition out has gone well. My point about "many not" was aimed at the financial side as I know many don't get equity of pay, or a pay rise of £10k on leaving. The non-financial benefits are clearly the driver in the majority of cases (family, stability, location)

If an FRI keeps someone who goes, "well, it's quite a big lump of cash for only another 5 years!" then it works. Not saying the majority think like that.

Personally, I don't think the amount is competitive in the current / near-term private sector climate, but try telling that to the Treasury.

...but plenty of the leavers aren't at the end of their service and won't get the pension or lump sum.

Agree with the rest - in particular that the money isn't the main factor. How many people choose to tie themselves in remains to be seen...