iscover
Pilots of RAAF multi engined aircraft such as this P-3C Orion have long been the target of airline recruiting drives. It is hoped that initiatives being implemented to improve the quality of RAAF service life will reduce the flow of trained aircrew from the service.
RAAF Acts to Slow Service Resignations
0 comment
In recent years, the Royal Australian Air Force has faced serious personnel problems, with significant numbers resigning in favour of civil careers. Only now is the strategy to retain experienced personnel and recruit replacements beginning to pay off.
Prior to 1986, the RAAF had a pilot resignation rate of just 53 pilots per year. This was considered quite normal, and recruitment and training was well able to make up for what has since proven to be a relatively small loss in trained personnel. In 1986, pilot resignations suddenly doubled to an unprecedented 107, most of those opting to leave RAAF service doing so in response to the strong airline recruitment drive started that year. Far from improving during 1987, the trend worsened and a further 123 decided to depart the RAAF. This unprecedented high level of aircrew resignations was a serious cause for alarm. The RAAF was losing highly trained aircrew at a rate that its training program really could not sustain, with the problem being exacerbated by an overall rise in officer resignations from all sections of the RAAF to some 28% above the long term service average.
The high resignation rate was rightly viewed with alarm. It was well evident that action had to be taken to slow down the process, there being particular concern because most of the officers leaving the RAAF were the more experienced flyers and supervisors still needed by the service. These officers were generally aged around their mid thirties – well below the more usual 20 years of service retirement age – and usually held the rank of Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader or Wing Commander. They were, as Air Marshal Ray Funnell, Chief of Air Staff, in a recent interview noted “. . . in charge of flying and maintenance squadrons or logistics and administrative support functions. Because of their training and experience of working in a disciplined and demanding environment, these people were attractive to many civilian employers. ” In other words perhaps, civilian employers – in particular the airlines – were after the best they could get. It has in fact been suggested that those who could get out – the more experienced officers who, by their very rank and length of service, were the ones most ready and able to resign – did so, though obviously this is not entirely true.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
