Aircraft Commander
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MG & Santiago
Goes way back beyond Nimrod through Shackletons to the days of Flying Boats in RAF Coastal Command.
Known as the Kipper Fleet. Always has been always will!
'Why are the kippers called kippers?'
Known as the Kipper Fleet. Always has been always will!
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Re "A/c commander is normally the senior...."
In my time flying in the RN there were many times when the GL (career) man was senior but not a/c captain - not experienced enough, especially the post CofC guys. As I said before it is up to to the authoriser to decide who he wants to be the captain of the a/c taking the seniority issue into due consideration.
In my time flying in the RN there were many times when the GL (career) man was senior but not a/c captain - not experienced enough, especially the post CofC guys. As I said before it is up to to the authoriser to decide who he wants to be the captain of the a/c taking the seniority issue into due consideration.
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Hyd3, you talk sh1t.
The RN is far more practical about A/C command than you suggest. 771 and Gannet SAR base the aicraft command entirely on experience, be that observer or pilot, in my experience, and 847 regularly puts C/Sgts in charge of Majors.
In practice, the RN generally will use seniority to decide between equally experienced aircrew, but even then most aircrew will take turns about.
The RN is far more practical about A/C command than you suggest. 771 and Gannet SAR base the aicraft command entirely on experience, be that observer or pilot, in my experience, and 847 regularly puts C/Sgts in charge of Majors.
In practice, the RN generally will use seniority to decide between equally experienced aircrew, but even then most aircrew will take turns about.
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Why are 771 and Gannet making the AC the most experienced and not iaw the great rule book. Are you saying that 771 and Gannet are contravening the great rule book?
Because IMHO thats not the case. Its certainly not the case in the MHF,LHF or JHC.
In fact the only time I can say that the AC is based upon experience is with the SHAR force.
Because IMHO thats not the case. Its certainly not the case in the MHF,LHF or JHC.
In fact the only time I can say that the AC is based upon experience is with the SHAR force.
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In fact the only time I can say that the AC is based upon experience is with the SHAR force
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Radar Riser has it summed up fairly well, as far as he goes ....
Let the senior pilot (the captain in RAF speak), sign for and be responsible for the aircraft. Let someone else down the back be the mission commander, responsible for fighting the aircraft. Flight safety is paramount.
SIMPLE
It is a bonus if an experienced pilot captain can have a sensible input into the mission ( a la Nimrod) but equally, know your place (a la Sentry).
Having seen both sides, they both work equally well. The bonus of the Sentry way is that two officers get written up as Captain/TD/Leader etc, got to be good for their careers.
Let the senior pilot (the captain in RAF speak), sign for and be responsible for the aircraft. Let someone else down the back be the mission commander, responsible for fighting the aircraft. Flight safety is paramount.
SIMPLE
It is a bonus if an experienced pilot captain can have a sensible input into the mission ( a la Nimrod) but equally, know your place (a la Sentry).
Having seen both sides, they both work equally well. The bonus of the Sentry way is that two officers get written up as Captain/TD/Leader etc, got to be good for their careers.
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Exactly. In the SHAR, the AC is either the pilot or his mate - George.
My cousin (God rest him) was a SK SAR pilot and those were in the days when there was just a crew of 3. Single pilot, crewman and diver. Of course, the RN never allowed the crewman or diver to be the Captain.
Before you can be a SAR P1, you have to have done some time as a p2 to get experience. Often a year. Simple common sense
