§ 31. Mr. BrazierTo 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. SpellarThe 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.