RAAF pilots leaving
Gundog, the now previous government did see it coming.The ADF was given money for retention. Navy and army pay additional money to keep people in that are in 'identified' as critical and or short staffed. The Airforce Emperor said he had plenty of storm troopers and had NO need for retention $$$$.
I think one of 'their' plans is to train "OPSOs" to fill some of our popular ground jobs thus freeing up more pilots....probably for more ground jobs that they would create?!.
The flaw in this logic is you can probably train an OPSO to do the paperwork....but you can't train them to be a QFI/FCI/B CAT in the next few years when the Training Flight officers are empty
I think one of 'their' plans is to train "OPSOs" to fill some of our popular ground jobs thus freeing up more pilots....probably for more ground jobs that they would create?!.
The flaw in this logic is you can probably train an OPSO to do the paperwork....but you can't train them to be a QFI/FCI/B CAT in the next few years when the Training Flight officers are empty
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Slezy9,
The reason for this is because the organisation needs a bunch of pilots to leave at the 10 year mark. Those that stay are not in it for the money. Its either up or out. Keeps the RAAF young and keen. However, it is not a perfect system (as we are seeing at the moment) when separation rates are higher than desired.
The reason for this is because the organisation needs a bunch of pilots to leave at the 10 year mark. Those that stay are not in it for the money. Its either up or out. Keeps the RAAF young and keen. However, it is not a perfect system (as we are seeing at the moment) when separation rates are higher than desired.
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Introducing a rentention bonus for QFIs/FCIs all very well and good, but if they don't look at B Cats as well we will have some more teachers staying, but what about experienced line drivers?
I understand the need to train the next generation, but particularly at the FLTCDR level, quals like SQ and CQ (Training Captain and Check Captain in civil speak) are of more relevance. My understanding is that is where the bleeding is at the moment.
I understand the need to train the next generation, but particularly at the FLTCDR level, quals like SQ and CQ (Training Captain and Check Captain in civil speak) are of more relevance. My understanding is that is where the bleeding is at the moment.
Last edited by CamOnRed; 7th Dec 2007 at 21:09.
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Its either up or out. Keeps the RAAF young and keen.
"Up or out"' "step up or shut up", yep, heard them all.
We've really got to get out of that mind set.
At $1 million+ to train a pilot to wings standard, I'm not sure the tax paying public would agree with the totally out-moded style of man management the RAAF uses to screw.......er "manage" it's pilots.
We need pilots to fly aircraft, not sit behind desks. The sooner the RAAF re-organises it's man-management priorities to suit it's flying operations rather than the manning of non-flying positions (as it currently does), the better.
But then, we don't have a pilot retention problem do we? Coooee my a**
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I hear almost all of standards flight at 2FTS are resigning in the first 6 months of next year, and first tour QFIs are being promoted into FLTCDR jobs. The experience drain has well and truly begun.
How are the other services going for instructors?
The same, I guess - shortages tend to stimulate some uniform-changing where it can be done, so I suppose there'd be a bit of service- and/or country-hopping going on to fill the vacuum?
The same, I guess - shortages tend to stimulate some uniform-changing where it can be done, so I suppose there'd be a bit of service- and/or country-hopping going on to fill the vacuum?
Can anyone working in the Russell head-shed (and who is not on chrissy leave) inform the basics on the retention bonus?
The $$ difference in stay/go could be significant this time around, as many intended leavers may have to pay up-front for their endorsements if they shifted out.
The $$ difference in stay/go could be significant this time around, as many intended leavers may have to pay up-front for their endorsements if they shifted out.
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Arm out the Window,
If you want an indication of how desperate the experience situation is, just watch 'Real Top Guns' on SBS. You can play spot the aussie instructor while they follow the boggies through 'fighter school'.
If you want an indication of how desperate the experience situation is, just watch 'Real Top Guns' on SBS. You can play spot the aussie instructor while they follow the boggies through 'fighter school'.
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Yes the old lateral chestnut.
Although not a problem in itself, it should be indicative of a flawed system when the wing cannot man itself with Aussies.
The problem is laterals come over with ROSO that is eqiavalent in duration to about one tour. After that is up are they going to send a lateral to fill that Tamworth QFI slot? No they will send an aussie bograt with 6 years ROSO left. Aussies get pissed off and leave and therefore we need more laterals to fill the gaps. We are only going to get more before we get less.
Although not a problem in itself, it should be indicative of a flawed system when the wing cannot man itself with Aussies.
The problem is laterals come over with ROSO that is eqiavalent in duration to about one tour. After that is up are they going to send a lateral to fill that Tamworth QFI slot? No they will send an aussie bograt with 6 years ROSO left. Aussies get pissed off and leave and therefore we need more laterals to fill the gaps. We are only going to get more before we get less.
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Way back in 2001, I wanted the same job and conditions as the 'laterals' and was told that I could not. SO I left (and took my B Cat QFI and 3000Hrs+ with me)...
I will go back if thet really want me, but I suspect that they won't.
I will go back if thet really want me, but I suspect that they won't.
Rumour has it that a RAAF retention bonus will be for a short-term and a relatively small amount (compared to previous years) to plug the growing experience and qualification gap, until the next pay case is presented. This would save CAF from having to go to government for more money to fund a longer term solution, and save some face from his disregarding advice and knocking back a retention bonus in the first place. In a typical short-term hip shot, there would be the appearance of something being done, but it would effectively push the problem onto the the next incumbent. It also assumes the next pay case would address the looming problem of senior pilots leaving.
Given that worldwide and domestic airline recruiting is likely to continue throughout 2008-2009, pilots that desire to leave to fly for an airline would have to weigh a year+ delay in seniority and the possibility of missing out on the desired job / location, against the what is offered. Most of them want lifestyle, location, and long-term prospects that attract to the airline world, so what will a short-term bond do?
Given that worldwide and domestic airline recruiting is likely to continue throughout 2008-2009, pilots that desire to leave to fly for an airline would have to weigh a year+ delay in seniority and the possibility of missing out on the desired job / location, against the what is offered. Most of them want lifestyle, location, and long-term prospects that attract to the airline world, so what will a short-term bond do?
Control snatch - if you are serving you will know that nothing new can be forthcoming until late Jan at the earliest, due to the enforced stand-down period. So have a few more pretzel packets handy...
RM
RM
