§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to retain pilots in the Royal Air Force; what is the current average length of service of pilots in the RAF; and how many are members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. [59400]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonA number of measures to improve pilot retention have been introduced or are under consideration by the Royal Air Force. Some pilots are being invited to serve beyond their normal retirement date and others who left the Royal Air Force at optional retirement points are being invited to re-join. Trials are being conducted to assess the utility of employing former regular RAF pilots as volunteer reservists on a variety of aircraft types. The RAF has also begun a wide-ranging study to ensure that the future officer career structure is aimed at developing and retaining the best people.
The current average length of service of qualified regular RAF pilots is 12.9 years.
On 1 November 1998, 29 trained pilots were serving in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.