HC Deb 05 June 2000 vol 351 c6W
31. Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Fast Jet pilots there are in the RAF according to(a) establishment level and (b) actual manning level; and what the percentage shortfall is. [122670]

Mr. Spellar

The position on 1 April 2000, the latest date that figures are available, was as follows:

Number of Fast Jet pilots in RAF
Requirement1 Trained strength Deficit Percentage shortfall
All ranks 882 846 36 4.1
Junior Officer Pilot2 550 452 98 17.8
1 Includes non-flying posts for which aircrew experience and knowledge are required. The majority of these non-flying posts require senior officers.
2 Flight Lieutenant (and Squadron Leader specialist aircrew) and below included in all ranks total. This is the RAF's most critical manning category.