AEF Question.
 

I am a Mil ATCO with a PPL and I am posted to Prestwick next year. I have heard whispers that PPL holders are able to fly cadets at AEFs. Does anyone know if that is so? Another factor is I am a WO, would not being commissioned rule it out anyway?

TVM
DD

There has been numerous rumours about PPL flying AEF, but nothing has come of it yet. As far as I'm aware you have to be a (any of the services) service pilot or ex service enrolled in the VRT with a min of (i think) 2000 hours or there abouts. It may have changed recently though.

You could give OC 12 AEF a ring at Leuchars who could maybe advise better? I think they have regular detachments to Glasgow and Kinloss

DD,

AFAIK the current requirement is to be a current/former Qualified Service Pilot (essentially winged & combat ready) or be winged & approved specifically by (I think) Group Captain Fg Trg or similar (i.e. be of a sensible nature and own two arms and two legs). This last caveat is fairly recent and allows folks on epic holds post-wings to do some flying.

As for ppls etc, have not heard anything about that, but was not on the cards last year afaik. Sorry no more current ideas.

Thanks guys. Thought it would be unlikely....

DD

Ten years ago my cpl flt planning NCO gained a ppl and then flew on the AEF as a staff pilot in the Grob. He is not instructing just flying.

AEF Question
 

There maybe a chance for you to fly the motorised gliders for the cadets. I was approached (as a PPL) at my local airfield and asked would I be interested? The short story is my local VGS had enough pilots but that is not to say you could not ask/offer. I would have joined as a civilian Instructor as I have now parted from HM Forces, but you could no doubt retain your rank (not too sure on last point).

Insty396

Why not just call HQ Air Cadets at CWL?

Wg Cdr Flying Ops is on Ext 7612 and is a nice chap.

Wg Cdr Training is equally as nice and on Ext 7616.

:ok:

Hmmm very interesting replies thank you. I will call the suggested numbers.

DD

Rang the suggested numbers and they have referred me on but no answer there today, will try again tomorrow

Hadn't thought about Vigilants.... assume I would need a gliding qualification for that? Done a quick internet search and there doesnt seem to be a VGS with Vigilants at Glasgow.

DD

DD

You don't just have to look at Vigilants, the Viking schools welcome PPL's too and its far better flying without a fan on the front!

RB

Most of the VGS in Scotland are Vikings (Arbroath, KirkNewton near Edinburgh) Kinloss has Vigilants

DD, thanks for the phone message - shall be ringing later. Hope that you and Mrs DD are well :ok:

Thank you everyone for your input. I have tracked down the man with the answers (via the numbers listed above... TVM) and it is indeed possible but subject to there being a lack of Mil aircrew to achieve the task.

I will pursue it further and see how the land lays when I arrive at EGPK.

DD

Huh?

A PPL holder flying a civil registered aeroplane for the purpose of non-private flying?

This sounds awfully close to being illegal, if not actually so, as you would be receiving the valued consideration of free flying.

If there aren't sufficient military pilots available to meet the 'task' requirements, then the pilot requirement should be advertised. In my opinion such pilots should hold CPLs for this work.

Sorry to sound like a trouble maker, but I wouldn't like to be in your shoes were something to go wrong.

Or were you referring to VGS flying?

BEagle - how would the holder of a CPL be any more legal, given the nature of the operation? Is there a requirement that AEF pilots get paid?

Probably not, but 'valued consideration' means more than just cash in the hand.

After the Police Optica accident, the CAA took a long hard look at PPL holders doing anything other than flying either privately or sharing costs with others.

The Air Cadet website states that 'AEF aircraft are flown by volunteer pilots, all of whom are current or former service pilots.'

Parents of Air Cadets thus have an expectation that their offspring will be flown by people with rather higher qualifications than a PPL. If such pilots are unavailable, then as a minimum a CPL holder should be contracted to provide the service requirement.

A good point.

There may be regional variations, but I'm told that many AEFs have a waiting list for staff pilot positions. Of course, if you retire as an Airship the list might be a lot shorter :}

Rather be flown by a real fg off than one with stars in their eyes.