Prince William to become a SAR driver
Yeah Crab, He's a serving officer who need not attend OASC and can just pick his choice of jobs. Not many officers around that can do this, at least not that I remember. It's a ****'n joke and a shame for the others who are doing the hard yards to get Wings and become operational.
Yeah I know he will be King but I think it's time to move on from that outdated and irrelevant system too.
Anyway rant over, Viva the Republic
Yeah I know he will be King but I think it's time to move on from that outdated and irrelevant system too.
Anyway rant over, Viva the Republic
But he did complete Sandhurst completely on his own merit which is proper leadership and OQs, not the 18 week joke that Cranwell used to be. The only thing OASC would test him on is pilot aptitude, which has clearly got, so what is your problem with him? Green-eyed monster perhaps.
He is going to have to do quite enough 'hard yards' to get operational on a SAR Sqn - he will earn his place on the front-line just like everyone else.
He is going to have to do quite enough 'hard yards' to get operational on a SAR Sqn - he will earn his place on the front-line just like everyone else.
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Prince Wills can't help his accident of birth -- no dispute about that. Nor should we knock his willingness to serve in the forces. Or even his aptitude. But given his massive and undeniable good fortune to be born to immense privilege it seems ALL WRONG that his choice to fly copters rather than cutting ribbons like his gran might deny a flying opportunity to some other mere mortal. So that's why I think he should pay for it. Nothing anti-Royal. Just fair. Ok, comrades?
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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Choppertop - you are a left wing total nutter, think budgets, the cost to train William will not come from the same budget as the guy/girl behind him in line for helicopter training, it will come from a one off "Future King" budget. I will happily pay taxes to any system that preserves the Monarchy.
You whinge a lot but you don't say a lot.
You whinge a lot but you don't say a lot.
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I must say choppertop, you left me for dead there, i was wondering where you were coming from.
at least pandalet was trying to inject some humour into what seems like a drab subject?
or perhaps she was just musing out loud about some worry that some willy was going to mess with crabs big chopper??
dammed if I know where it's all at. but one thing for sure is that if wills wants to learn about self insurance in the low level sphere, then he should do a couple of thousand mustering hours first.
at least pandalet was trying to inject some humour into what seems like a drab subject?
or perhaps she was just musing out loud about some worry that some willy was going to mess with crabs big chopper??
dammed if I know where it's all at. but one thing for sure is that if wills wants to learn about self insurance in the low level sphere, then he should do a couple of thousand mustering hours first.
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Left wing? What's left wing about fairness?? I don't have views one way or the other about monarchy. It's a bit old fashioned in this day and age (laughable really) but, hey, if the people want it, let 'em have it. The people obviously DO want it, so let's keep having it.
But it bugs me how the Royals want it all: to live like Kings and play at being paupers. If playing at paupers doesn't cost us mere mortals anything, financially or otherwise, then fine. But if Royals dabbling with the ordinary man means the ordinary man is displaced, then the Royals need to pay. Because they've got enough privileges already.
Simple common sense. Innit??
But it bugs me how the Royals want it all: to live like Kings and play at being paupers. If playing at paupers doesn't cost us mere mortals anything, financially or otherwise, then fine. But if Royals dabbling with the ordinary man means the ordinary man is displaced, then the Royals need to pay. Because they've got enough privileges already.
Simple common sense. Innit??
Hovering AND talking
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the cost to train William will not come from the same budget as the guy/girl behind him in line for helicopter training, it will come from a one off "Future King" budget.
You cannot really believe that the UK Government's Finance Department can actually carry out a budget recharge across Departments? They don't know what a debit is unless they sit with a window on their left!
Cheers
Whirls
I still don't see where you get this idea that William taking up flying duties will prevent anyone else from doing so. All pilots go through training and once qualified, are posted to operational duties. It is not a case of chopping someone else to make way for him - towards the end of 60 Sqn at DHFS, a streaming board is held to see where the front-line places on the various OCUs need to be filled by first tourists - some go SAR, some go SH but they all get places. The only difference with William is that he is not allowed to go SH and therefore his streaming to SAR is already decided.
I cannot stress enough that he will not be 'playing' or 'dabbling', he is going to do a proper SAR tour and will be tested just like any new pilot; he will have to make the grade and, from what I have seen of him already, he will do so without favour or preferential treatment
I cannot stress enough that he will not be 'playing' or 'dabbling', he is going to do a proper SAR tour and will be tested just like any new pilot; he will have to make the grade and, from what I have seen of him already, he will do so without favour or preferential treatment
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I agree with Crab. I would certainly have a moan if he wasn't going to do something useful considering his position and the career choices open to him.
However he is going to do something worthwile, and his brother has been making the effort and doing his best in the service of his gran recently too, so why dont you all find something worthwile to complain about?
BC
However he is going to do something worthwile, and his brother has been making the effort and doing his best in the service of his gran recently too, so why dont you all find something worthwile to complain about?
BC
But it bugs me how the Royals want it all: to live like Kings and play at being paupers. If playing at paupers doesn't cost us mere mortals anything, financially or otherwise, then fine. But if Royals dabbling with the ordinary man means the ordinary man is displaced, then the Royals need to pay. Because they've got enough privileges already.
Avoid imitations
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But if Royals dabbling with the ordinary man means the ordinary man is displaced, then the Royals need to pay. Because they've got enough privileges already.
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I am amazed they are letting the future king fly on an ac that is as old and unreliable as a mk 3 or 3a. Having said that they are off state that much it should be quite safe for the lad. He may crack 200hrs in a tour. Should have waited for a few years and let him do SAR on a 92.
The only difference with William is that he is not allowed to go SH and therefore his streaming to SAR is already decided.
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Hhr Sar
Crab:
I am impressed that HRH has chosen SAR.
How else to prove his devotion?
Being a target in other operations is suicidal.
I don't believe that you or others will let him overextend himself.
Just an opinion from a 20 year Bristow pilot.
Cheers,
SirVivr
Capt. C Alexander
I am impressed that HRH has chosen SAR.
How else to prove his devotion?
Being a target in other operations is suicidal.
I don't believe that you or others will let him overextend himself.
Just an opinion from a 20 year Bristow pilot.
Cheers,
SirVivr
Capt. C Alexander
Serf - I have at least met and flown with him before making my mind up - unlike many on this forum
If he comes to Chiv I will be his flight QHI but his flight hasn't been decided yet.
SASless - after the hassle that went with Harry's det to the 'stan, Wills can't go SH since it would either be there or Iraq to get his operational time. I seem to remember it was an American news team that blew the gaff on Harry
Sir Vivr - he won't be allowed to overextend himself any more than any other first tourist pilot but they do have to be allowed to make mistakes in order for them to learn.
If he comes to Chiv I will be his flight QHI but his flight hasn't been decided yet.SASless - after the hassle that went with Harry's det to the 'stan, Wills can't go SH since it would either be there or Iraq to get his operational time. I seem to remember it was an American news team that blew the gaff on Harry
Sir Vivr - he won't be allowed to overextend himself any more than any other first tourist pilot but they do have to be allowed to make mistakes in order for them to learn.
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Whirls - I'm sure you are right, what I know about accounting wouldn't fill the back of a postage stamp but my point was that I didn't believe that any aspiring RAF pilot would lose his slot to make way for William. The RAF know full well that his career will be a short one, like his father's in the RN, before he is inundated with public duties, so as far as establishment numbers are concerned he will probably be supernumerary in the big picture.
Crab...
Ah that's right....forgive me for forgetting....being targeted by the Taliban/Al Qeada and all that I guess is what you are referring to.
Now talk about privileges of birth....must be a generational change after the Falklands or something.
Ah that's right....forgive me for forgetting....being targeted by the Taliban/Al Qeada and all that I guess is what you are referring to.
Now talk about privileges of birth....must be a generational change after the Falklands or something.
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Its easy to talk about the priveledges of birth, but people forget about the huge restrictions on freedom that members of the Royal Family have to live with.
I remember Charles coming to visit my unit in N. Ireland back in the 90s. He really wanted to stay in the mess, and then go and paint in the Mourne mountains. However, he was not allowed to do either for security reasons.
I would imagine that W. has very little personal freedom as we mortals know it. I guess he would like to do a lot of the things that other people his age do. - Go to the pub & get p***ed; go backpacking around the world; chase girls; go to Glastonbury Festival; Play in a Band; etc etc.
Can you imagine either the Royal Household or the British Press letting him get on with a normal life like this if he wanted to?
I would imagine he has been given a shortlist of a couple of jobs he will be allowed to do - probably 1. Naval Officer ( except Commando pilot), or 2. RAF SAR pilot. I really cant think of anything else that they would be likely to let him (as future king) do. He wouldnt be allowed on combat operations, and it wouldnt look good if he drifted around doing anything other than serving his country.
Rather him than me. And people suggest he should PAY for the priveledge of being a prisoner to his ancestry??? Cut him some slack!
I remember Charles coming to visit my unit in N. Ireland back in the 90s. He really wanted to stay in the mess, and then go and paint in the Mourne mountains. However, he was not allowed to do either for security reasons.
I would imagine that W. has very little personal freedom as we mortals know it. I guess he would like to do a lot of the things that other people his age do. - Go to the pub & get p***ed; go backpacking around the world; chase girls; go to Glastonbury Festival; Play in a Band; etc etc.
Can you imagine either the Royal Household or the British Press letting him get on with a normal life like this if he wanted to?
I would imagine he has been given a shortlist of a couple of jobs he will be allowed to do - probably 1. Naval Officer ( except Commando pilot), or 2. RAF SAR pilot. I really cant think of anything else that they would be likely to let him (as future king) do. He wouldnt be allowed on combat operations, and it wouldnt look good if he drifted around doing anything other than serving his country.
Rather him than me. And people suggest he should PAY for the priveledge of being a prisoner to his ancestry??? Cut him some slack!