"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...


Its interesting to note that the RAF still doesnt require a college
education for its pilots.

Secondary education in the UK is tracked, tested, and standards
enforced. There's absolutely no comparison between the graduate of an
American high school and an equivalent university-track student in
Britain.

Isn't Cranwell (the RAF equivalent of West Point) still a two-year
course?

All officer student aircrew complete a 24-week Initial Officer Training
(IOT)
course at RAF College Cranwell, they then progress to the elementary flying
training course at RAF Church Fenton where they receive common core
groundschool training and EFT or if they joined via a University Air
Squadron
EFT is given at Barkston Heath

To progress beyond EFT students are required to pass a Final Handling Test
At this stage pilots are selected for 1 of 3 streams

Fast-Jet Stream
Pilots selected for fast-jet streaming progress to BFJT on the Tucano at RAF
Linton-on-Ouse. The 124 hour BFJT course is designed as a lead in to
fast-jet ATTU at RAF Valley. On successful completion of BFJT, students are
posted to the ATTU to complete advanced flying training, tactics and weapons
training on the Hawk. At the end of this course, pilots are assessed for
either single or 2 seat operations and most progress to an Operational
Conversion Unit (OCU) prior to joining a front-line fast-jet squadron.

Multi-Engine Stream
Approximately half of all ab-initio pilots destined for multi-engine (ME)
training are directly streamed and complete a 30 hour Multi-Engine Lead-In
(MELIN) course on the Firefly. The remainder of the annual intake comprises
students restreamed to ME from elsewhere in pilot training. All are posted
to 45(R) Squadron at RAF College Cranwell to complete either a 70 hour, 45
hour or 30 hour AFT course on the Jetstream, before progressing to an OCU
and a front-line squadron.

Rotary Stream
RAF rotary wing pilot training is conducted at DHFS, RAF Shawbury. The RAF
course comprises a 37 hour basic phase and an 30 hour advanced stage, both
of which are conducted on the Squirrel. Following this, students undertake
64 hours of multi-engine flying on the Griffin before completing 12 hours
SAR training. Successful students then progress through Operational
Conversion Flights to front-line squadrons.

And aren't most UK bachelor's-degree programs still three
years in duration?


For the most part yes though there are some colleges that run 2 year
courses for high flyers or those with pre-existing lesser qualiications
such as the HND/HNC technical qualifications.

Keith