RAF: PILOT TRAINING COSTS (Hansard, 26 June 1979)

§ Lord STRATHCONA and MOUNT ROYAL

Without disproportionate effort it is not possible to isolate the marginal cost of training an individual Royal Air Force pilot to full operational standard. The figures available are derived from cost accounting records; they take account of the identifiable costs of instruction, the running costs of the flying training organisation, the depreciation of the capital equipment, aircraft and all ground supporting facilities, and also of the wastage at each stage of training. The costs quoted below are therefore the average per successful pilot at 1978/79 prices.

All pilots undergo the same basic flying training, but thereafter the training and the cost depend on the type of aircraft and its role. Fast-jet flying training is the longest and most expensive. The cost of training a fast-jet pilot up to "wings" standard—the end of advanced flying training, is about £500,000. Before joining a squadron, a fast-jet pilot will undergo tactial weapons' and operational conversion training which can bring the cost up to £1.5 million, depending on aircraft type. The costs for multi-engine and helicopter training are less: about £120,000 and £180,000 respectively to "wings" standard. Thereafter the cost of pilot training alone is difficult to isolate as conversion training is given to the whole crew.