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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Air Ministry Orders relating to Pilot and Aircrew Developments
Aerial Gunners
Until this date the classification of Aerial Gunner and issue of non-substantive pay of 6d per day to those fulfilling the role had only being open to airmen in Group V but from this date airmen of any trade group became eligible to be employed as Aerial Gunners and to receive the non-substantive pay of 6d per day in addition to crew pay of 2s. Airmen who qualified for such duties became described as: -
e.g. 'Fitter (Aero engine) (AG)', Carpenter (Rigger) (AG), etc.
However, AMWO 548/1923 amended the above in that airmen from Groups I to IV could only fill 25% of the authorised establishment, remaining being provided by Group V airmen.
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 271/1921 dated 14 April 1921 and 548/1923 dated 6 September 1923.
Qualification of NCO and other Airmen as Pilots
From 1 October 1921 AOCs and OCs of independent Commands were permitted to forward the names of volunteers for training as NCO/Airman Pilots to the following limits: -
| Command | Limit |
| Inland Area | 20 |
| Coastal Area | 10 |
| Halton | 2 |
| Cranwell | 2 |
| Irish Wing | 2 |
| Middle East | 10 |
| India | 3 |
| Mediterranean Group | 1 |
| Miscellaneous Units | 1 each |
Following this initial list, which was limited to Home Commands, a second list to the same limits was to be forwarded on 1 January 1922 and subsequently on a half-yearly basis. Candidates were to be drawn from serving NCOs and Airmen from Trade Groups I, II and III, had to be over the age of 25 but would not be eligible until being classified as an LAC and must not be over the rank of Sergeant. During training as pilots they remained on existing rate of pay plus a special allowance of 2s per day whilst under instruction. On qualification airmen were promoted to the rank of sergeant pilot on the following rates of pay: -
| Rank | Group I | Group II | Group III |
| On qualification | 12s 6d | 11s 6d | 10s 0d |
| After three years | 13s 6d | 12s 6d | 11s 0d |
| Flight Sergeant pilots | 15s 0d | 13s 6d | 12s 0d |
| Flight Sergeant pilots (over three years) | 15s 6d | 14s 0d | 12s 6d |
Once qualified, these airmen were awarded their Flying Badge, 'Wings', and were accommodated in the Sergeants' Mess but were still expected to undertake their normal duties as well as their flying duties, with the exception of: -
Whilst serving as sergeant pilots, those promoted from LAC and corporal were ineligible for promotion to flight sergeant or warrant officer, but sergeants selected for training as pilots were eligible for promotion to flight sergeant in their turn in the roster.
On expiration of their flying service airmen reverted to the trade they held prior to qualification, reverting to their substantive rank of sergeant or flight sergeant, but those promoted to sergeant specially on qualification were ineligible for promotion flight sergeant for two years after reverting to their trade. They would also revert to their trade if deemed unfit for flying on medical grounds.
Airmen who qualified as pilots were to be designated on their documents as: -
e.g. 'Pilot (Fitter AE)', Pilot (Carpenter), etc.
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 706/1921 dated 8 September 1921.
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 142/1922 dated 23 February 1922.
Selection of Airmen for Training as Pilots
From the date of this order, aircraft apprentices became eligible for training as airman pilots. After volunteering their names would be submitted to the Air Ministry and Officer i/c Records by the OC of their technical training school a month prior to graduating, but would not be considered for training as pilots until they were recommended by the OC of the unit on which he was serving after completing 12 months of service after passing out.
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 213/1924 dated 27 March 1924.
Airmen Pilots
Further to previous Orders, this one announced that airmen who had previously served as pilots could be considered for further employment as such provided: -
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 471/1924 dated 3 July 1924.
Use of Word - 'Aerial'
This Order stated that the use of the word 'aerial' was only to be used in connection with wireless telegraphy. Otherwise, the word 'air' in place of the word 'aerial' was to be adopted as the standard expression, e.g. 'aerial gunner' and 'aerial reconnaissance' would in future be 'air gunner' and air reconnaissance.
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 24/1926 dated 7 January 1926.
Crew Pay for Airmen
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 59/1926 dated 28 January 1926.
Airmen Pilots - Establishment
Appendix: -
| Home defence regular squadrons | No of airmen pilots to each squadron |
| Single seat fighter | 6 |
| Single engine bomber (less No 15 and No 22) | 6 |
| Twin engine bomber | 8 |
| Other squadrons and establishments at home | |
| No 15 Squadron | 3* |
| No 22 Squadron | 3 |
| No 480 Flight | 5 |
| Cadet College | 4 |
| No 1 Flying Training School | 6 |
| No 2 Flying Training School | 6 |
| No 3 Flying Training School | 6 |
| Overseas | |
| Single seat fighter squadrons | 6 |
| Sing engine bomber squadrons | 6 |
| Twin engine bomber squadrons | 8 |
| No 6 (AC) Squadron | 3 |
| No 4 Flying Training School | 6 |
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 635/1926 dated 25 November 1926.
*Deleted by AMWO 535/1927 dated 18 August 1927
Appointment of Airmen Pilots to Commissioned Rank
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 346/1926 dated 24 June 1926.
Amended- Air Ministry Weekly Order 407/1926 dated 22 July 1926.
Revision of Airmen Pilot Scheme
Before signing the later form the medical officer will make a preliminary examination, applying the standard of medical fitness in force for officers in the general duties branch employed on flying duties. A record of the examination, on Form 42, will be inserted on the airman's Form 48.
After he has been placed on the sergeants' roster for his trade he may be promoted to flight sergeant in his turn on that router.
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 660/1926 dated 9 December 1926.
Air Gunners -Regulations as to Selection, Mustering, Posting, Qualification, etc
(ii) The above procedure does not exempt air gunners from qualifying at the Armament and Gunnery School when a vacancy arises. Air gunners already in receipt of air gunner's pay may continue to draw such pay while undergoing the Eastchurch course, providing they continue to fill a vacancy in the squadron establishment, for air gunners. Air gunners failing to qualify at the Armament and Gunnery School will at once cease to draw duty pay.
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 347/1927 dated 26 May 1927
Qualification of Special Reserve Air Gunners in Cadre Squadrons and Auxiliary Air Force Air Gunners
The following procedure will govern the examination and qualification of Special Reserve air gunners and Auxiliary Air. Force air gunners.
Airmen selected for employment as air gunners will be trained in their own unit under arrangements made by the AOC, No. I Air Defence Group. They will be required to attain the same standard as regular Air Force air gunners, by passing the tests laid down in KR & ACIs, para. 517, (see Air Publication 1112) before qualification.
The AOC, No 1 Air Defence Group, will be responsible for conducting the tests laid down in para. 517, clauses 6, 7, 9 and 10. The air tests may be assessed on the results of the classification firing and bombing exercises carried out by the air gunners at the annual practice camp.
The examination in the tests laid down in para. 517, clauses 5 and 8, will be conducted at the unit at which the air gunners are stationed by an officer on the staff of the Armament and Gunnery School.
The arrangements for the visits of the Armament and Gunnery School examining officer will be made direct between the AOC., No 1 Air Defence Group, and the CO of the Armament and Gunnery School. Normally, not more than four air gunners will be examined during one visit. In order to prevent the examining officer making unnecessary visits, a preliminary examination is to held in the tests laid down in clauses 5 and 8 by the armament officer of No 1 Air Defence Group to ascertain that there is a. reasonable probability of the air gunners passing the tests. The CO of the Armament and Gunnery School should not be asked to send an examining officer to a unit unless there are two or more air gunners for examination.
The examination to be conducted by the officer from the Armament and Gunnery School will not be carried out until all the tests laid down in clauses 6, 7, 9 and 10, with the exception of those under "B " in clause 7 and under " Bombing " in clause 10 (i.e., air firing with live ammunition and bombing tests), have been passed successfully.
The examination by the examining officer from the Armament and Gunnery School need not be delayed until the air firing and bombing tests have been passed.
(i) If, at the date when an airman successfully
passes the examination in the subjects detailed in KR & ACIs., pars. 517,
clauses 5 and 8, he has also passed all the tests laid down under" B " in
clause 7 and under "Bombing" in clause 10, i.e., the air firing and bombing
tests, he will be graded as a fully qualified air gunner from that date.
(ii) If, on successfully passing the examination in the subjects detailed in
KR & ACIs, para. 517, clauses 5 and 8, an airman has not passed the air
tests in air firing and bombing, he will be graded from that date as an
acting air gunner, unpaid.
(iii) On passing the air tests in air firing and bombing during the first
annual training camp after passing the examination referred to in (ii)
above, his qualification as air gunner will be confirmed and antedated to
the day on which he passed the examination which was held by the examining
officer from the Armament and Gunnery School.
(iv) The number of acting and qualified air gunners in squadrons must not
exceed the number authorised on establishment.
If an airman goes to a training camp whilst holding the qualification of acting air gunner, unpaid, and is confirmed as an air gunner in accordance with sub-para. (iii) above, he will be entitled to draw air gunner's pay for the number of days that he was in camp under training.
Five copies of Form 292 will be prepared by the CO of the Armament and Gunnery School to show the result of the tests carried out by the examining officer in respect of each air gunner examined under this order. The five copies will be forwarded to the AOC., No 1 Air Defence Group, who will complete the forms to show the result of the remaining tests. The AOC, No 1 Air Defence Group, will then transmit the forms in accordance with para. 3 of the instructions on the reverse side of Form 292. The results, as shown. an Form 292, will be promulgated in the unit's casualty form, together with the relative remustering, and the necessary entries will be made on the Certificate of Service, Form 1379 for Special Reserve, and Form 1433 for Auxiliary Air Force.
A CO may order the relinquishment of an airman's qualification as air gunner if he considers that the airman in inefficient or otherwise not suited to carry out his duties as an air gunner. Such relinquishments, and the necessary remustering, will be promulgated in the unit's casualty form and recorded in the airman's Certificate of Service.
Para. 112, sub-para. (vi), of Air Publication 1108 and para. 243 of Air Publication 968 will be amended in due course.
The regulations governing the selection, mustering, posting and qualification of regular Air Force air gunners serving in cadre squadrons are laid down in Weekly Order 347 of 1927.
Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order 147/1929 dated 7 March 1929
Provision of Flying Instructors
1. The Air Council have had under consideration the question
of the supply of flying instructors in the light of the considerations of
policy referred to in para. 1 of AMWO 676/1930. They have decided, as an
experimental measure, to draw candidates for training as flying instructor
so far as possible from officers and airman pilots who have completed four
years' flying service after qualifying as pilot, instead of, as at present,
from officers and airman pilots w have completed one year's service after
qualifying. In addition to securing the advantages resulting from
thepolicy referred to in the first sentence of this order, this step should
sensibly improve the standard of flying efficiency to he expected among
instructors.
Since flying instructors are required to serve for three
years as such after qualifying at the Central Flying School, the decision
given above will involve their being selected from (i) permanent officers,
ii) short service officers selected for permanent commissions, other than as
specialists, (iii) short service officers selected for medium service, (iv)
airman pilots willing to extend their flying service to eight years in all.
To the extent that the numbers available under (i), (ii), and (iii) do not
suffice to meet
requirements of officer instructors it will be necessary to select officers
who have completed one year's service after qualifying as pilot; such
selections will be limited to short service officers, and it is anticipated
that the number required will be very small. In selecting short
service officers for permanent commissions, other than as specialists, and
in selecting short service officers for medium service, preference will be
given to candidates volunteering and suitable for training as flying
instructor. A separate order is being issued as regards to selection
of airman pilots for training as flying instructor and extension of flying
service to eight years.
Vacancies for flight lieutenant flying instructor will be filled (i) by flying officer instructors who come in turn their for promotion during their three-year flying instructor service (ii) by flight lieutenant, who having completed such a tour, are selected for a second tour as flying instructor after a period in other employment. In order to avoid moving flying instructor instructors on promotion, vacancies filled as at (i) will so far as possible be filled by a flying instructor already serving at the unit even though the flight lieutenant vacancy may occur somewhat earlier or somewhat later than the date of the promotion of the officer in question. Vacancies for squadron leader flying instructors will be filled from among squadron leaders who have previously done a tour as a flying instructor in lower rank.
The establishment of flying instructors at the flying
training schools, the Central Flying School, and the Royal Air Force College
will be slightly varied as as to allow of 35 per cent of the instructor
posts being filled by airman pilots. Amended establishments are being
issued, and strength will be adjusted to establishment as soon as possible
airmen pilots. There will three courses at the Central Flying School
during the year for 25 pupils each; this number will include any non-RAF
pupils
sent to the school for flying instructor training.
Source - Air Ministry Order A238/1931 dated 3 December 1931.
Selection of Airman Pilots for Training as Flying Instructors
As stated in AMO A238/1931, it. has been decided that, in future airman pilots shall not be selected for training as flying instructors until they have given approximately four years service from the date of their qualification as pilots.
Air or other officers commanding will obtain from units and forward so as to reach the Air Ministry not later than 1st January l932 a list of airman pilots recommended for selection for training as flying instructors; the list will be arranged in order of recommendation. Thereafter similar lists will be forwarded to reach the Air Ministry by 1st December of each year. Airmen will not be recommended unless they: -
are medically fit for full flying duties
will have served on 1st December, as airman pilots for at least 3 years from the date of their qualification as pilots, and
have intimated in writing their willingness to accept the conditions laid down in paras 3 to 6 below.
In drawing up their lists, AOCs should have regard to airmen who have been posted away from their commands within six months of the date on which recommendations are due at the Air Ministry, and will include inthe lists the names of such airmen if considered deserving of recommendation.
Airmen selected from the lists forwarded under para 2 will be posted to the Central Flying School for the flying instructor's course. if unsuccessful in passing the course, they will be reposted to units to complete the remainder of their normal period of flying service. If successful at the course, their period of flying service will be extended.
to a total of 8 years from date of commencing flying training, or
if their flying service has already been extended, to a period of 8 years plus the extension already taken.
They will normally employed as flying instructors for the remainder of their flying service. If extensions under (i) or (ii) will leave an airman with less than a year to serve in the regular air force, his flying service will be further extended until the expiration of his engagement.
On successfully passing the course, an airman will, if
necessary, be required to execute such an extension, of regular air
force service as will enable him to complete the full period of flying
service specified in para 3.
ice on his current engagement cannot be
An airman whose service on his current engagement cannot be extended as provided in para 4 will, if he so desires, be considered for re-engagement to complete 24 years' regular service. If not desirous of or not selected for re-engagement, he will be discharged from the Royal Air Force and re-enlisted forthwith for a period of 3 years' regular air force service, followed by 4 years' service in the reserve as an airman pilot. Acceptance of this condition will in no way prejudice his chance of being subsequently allowed to remain in regular service to complete time for pension. The airman's willingness or otherwise to accept either or both of the above alternatives should be indicated.
6. An airman who, being an airman pilot or having been an airman pilot and been remustered to his trade, is allowed after the date of this order to re-engage to complete 24 years' regular air force service, will remain liable for employment as pilot in an emergency, and will keep in flying training for a period for 4 years from the date on which he is re-mustered to his trade. Subject to this and to the modifications in pares. 2 and 5 above, the regulations to airman pilots in KR & ACI will continue to be applicable. The necessary amendments thereto will be issued in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A246/1931 dated 10 December 1931.
Amended by AMO A46/1932 - 3 March 1932
Air Gunners
Upon attaining the rank of flight sergeant, an airman mustered as air gunner will cease to be employed as such, and will relinquish his mustering as air gunner.
The necessary notification will be promulgated in the unit casualty forms, and the remustering recorded in the certificate of service.
Airmen of the rank of flight sergeant and above, at present mustered as air gunners, will relinquish this mustering as from the date of this order.
These instructions do not apply to full-time air gunners who are required by para. 507 (4) of KR & ACI to revert to their trades on promotion to the rank of sergeant; such airmen are not, however, precluded from employment as part-time air gunners under the normal regulations, if so desired.
The necessary amendments to KR & ACI will be issued in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A10/1932 dated 21 January 1932.
Recategorisation of Flying Instructors
1. Flying instractors will be tested for recategorisation following conditions: -
"C" category instructors may be tested four months after the date of posting to a flying training unit, but are to be tested in every instance after serving six months with their flying training unit. This period of six months should only be extended by as short a time as possible instances where the instructor, owing to " break periods, sickness, etc., has not had an opportunity of teaching a pupil up to the stage of solo flying. Normally, if an instructor fails to obtain a higher category than "C" on this test, he should be removed from flying instructional duties and be categorised "D". Arrangements for these instructors to report to the Central Flying School are to be made direct between the unit commander and the Commandant, Central Flying School.
"B" category instructors. if recommended by their COs will normally be tested at the annual visit of the Central Flying School staff to their unit. In special instances when, owing to sickness or other cause, an instructor is absent from his unit at the time of the Central Flying School visit, arrangements may be made for him to be sent to the Central Flying School for test as soon as possible afterwards. Applications for such tests should be made to Headquarters, No. 23 Group.
"A2" category instructors will be tested under the same conditions as those for "B" category. instructors. An "A2" instructor should not normally be recommended for recategorisation to "A1" unless he has served for at least one year in a flying training unit.
Recategorisation tests will not be carried out on occasions other than those mentioned in para 1 of this order, except in the following instances :-
When an instructor is about to be posted away from his unit, and has been instructing for three months subsequent to his last test by the staff of the central Flying School. Applications in such instances should be made to Headquarters No, 23 Group.
When, a pilot, who is not being employed as an instructor, but has previously held a central Flying School category, is selected for some special appointment involving flying instruction.
Pilots who hold a Central Flying School category, but are not employed on flying instruction, will only be tested for recategorisation when application is made to the Secretary, Air Ministry, through the usual channels.
Source - Air Ministry Order A108/1932 dated 28 April 1932.
Airman Pilots - Employment as Flying Instructors
It has been decided that a limited number of airman pilots who qualified as flying instructors prior to the issue of AMO A246/31, and do not, therefore come within the terms of that order, shall be allowed to extend their period of flying service for duty as flying instructors under the conditions outlined below.
Recommendations for extension in respect of instructors due to revert to their basic trade on or before 1st January 1933, should be forwarded at once; thereafter, recommendations should be forwarded so as to reach the Air Ministry six months before the airman is due to revert to his basic trade.
To be eligible for recommendation the airman must -
Hold a category "A" instructor's qualification.
Have been employed continuously as flying instructor for less than three years, unless it is considered that he is of such exceptional ability as to justify the waiving of this condition.
Express in writing his willingness to accept the conditions of para. 1 of AMO A246/31.
Extensions will be for a period of one year. Consideration will be given to further extensions in special cases, and, three months prior to the expiry of a period of extension, a further recommendation will be forwarded to the Air Ministry stating whether the airman is desirous of and recommended for such extension.
Source - Air Ministry Order A207/1932 dated 4 August 1932.
Policy regarding Air Pilotage Training
The Air Council have had under consideration the policy regarding training in air pilotage, with a view on the one hand to raising the standard of knowledge in the service, and on the other to eliminating so far as possible these difficulties explained in para 1 of AMWO 676/30, regarding the passing of junior officers through short courses.
It has been decided in the first place that a substantially higher standard of training in air pilotage shall be set in ab initio flying courses at the RAF College and flying training schools. To that end, flying instructors under training at the Central Flying School are being given instruction in air pilotage up to the standard indicated in the next paragraph.
Secondly, all flight commanders will be held responsible for continuing the air pilotage training given in ab initio flying courses when the pilots join their flights, and will be required to reach a sufficient standard in that subject to enable them to do so. To that end, all permanent and medium service officers who have not already taken an appropriate course will he required to pass a fourteen days' course in air pilotage between their fourth and their sixth years of service.
Thirdly, to assist flight commanders in bombing squadrons to carry out the training mentioned in the preceding paragraph, each such squadron will carry, within its existing establishment of flight lieutenants, a flight lieutenant who, before appointment to the squadron, has passed through a three months' course in air pilotage or has qualified up to an equivalent standard.
The fourteen days' and three months' courses referred to in paras 3 and 4 above will, as a temporary measure, be conducted under arrangements made by the ADGB. It is contemplated that more permanent arrangements shall later be made for this training at an Inland Area unit, The Specialist "N" Course and the Flying Boat Pilots' Course will continue to be held at the RAF Base, Calshot.
Officers who have passed the Flying Boat Pilots' Course will be regarded as qualified up to the standard of the three months' Air Pilotage Course; those who have passed the Flying Instructors' Course will be regarded as qualified up to the standard of the fourteen days' Air Pilotage Course.
Amended annotations to the squadron establishments affected by this order will be issued in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A233/1932 dated 25 August 1932.
Air Navigation Training
With a view to facilitating the implementing of the policy regarding air navigation training, laid down in AMO A233/32, it has been decided to introduce modifications to that order, which is amended as follows: -
Para. 3. Number existing paragraph as sub-para. (i) and add the following subparagraphs: -
Officers who by reason of their selection for specialisation are unable to attend the two weeks' navigation course between their fourth and sixth years of service will be required to attend the course at the earliest, possible opportunity after they revert to flying duty, from a tour of specialist employment following completion of specialist training.
To the extent that vacancies on the short courses are more than sufficient to absorb the flow of permanent and medium service officers in their fourth or fifth years of service and the specialist officers referred to under (ii) above, these vacancies will be allotted to flight and squadron commanders who have not previously attended an air navigation course.
Delete "pilotage" and substitute, "navigation" in the heading and throughout the text of the order.
Source - Air Ministry Order A30/1935 dated 14 February 1935.
Airman Pilots selected for Training as Flying Instructors.
With reference to AMO A246/31, it is notified that airman pilots qualified as flying instructors, who are discharged prior to re-enlistment under para 5 of that order, will be discharged under para. 652 (14) of KR & ACI "on re-enlistment for employment as an airman pilot flying instructor." These words will be used for recording the discharge on the certificate of service (Form 280).
The date of discharge will be the day prior to that on which the airman is posted for flying instructor duties on completion of the course. All leave for which the airman may be eligible on his original engagement should, if possible, be taken prior to such posting; where this is not practicable, the two engagements may be regarded as continuous for the purposes of leave under para 1394 of KR & ACI.
In respect of the engagement terminated, service gratuity will be paid; no payment will be made in respect of unemployment insurance or plain clothes allowance; leave under para. 1394 (e) and 1404 of KR & ACI will not be granted; the retention of personal clothing and necessaries will be allowed.
Detailed instructions for the discharge and attestation of airmen, concerned will be forwarded to the unit by the Officer i/c Records.
All service documents, including the certificate of service Form 280, will continue in use during the new engagement. Particulars of discharge and re-enlistment will be recorded in the movements column on. page 2, and re-enlistment particulars in the current engagement column on page 1 of the certificate of service.
The necessary amendments to KR & ACI will be issued in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A537/1932 dated 17 June 1932.
Airman Pilot - Revision of Period of Service as Pilot
The Air Council have had under review the conditions of service of airman pilots and have decided that, for airmen selected for training as airman, pilot after the date of this order, the normal period of service as Pilot shall be increased from 5 years to 6 years (reckoned from the Commencement of flying training).
In forwarding recommendations in accordance with para 506 (2) of KR & ACI, air or other officers commanding will accordingly, ensure that airmen recommended are able to give 6 years' service without re-engagement.
At the expiry of the period of flying service (5 years or 6 years a case may be), airmen will normally revert to their basic trade. The Air Council will, however, be prepared to consider applications from airman pilots who have not been selected for re-engagement, to complete the full period of their first engagement as pilots. It must be clearly understood that such applications can only be approved if the requirements of the service permit, and that it is improbable that any such extensions will be permitted in the near future.
The selection of airman pilots for training as flying instructors will continue to be made on the completion of 3 years' service from the date of qualification as pilot.
The necessary amendments to KR & ACI will be issued in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A141/1933 dated 25 May 1933.
Ex-Airman Pilot Armament Instructors - Continuance in Flying Practice
1. It has been decided that, in future, ex-airman-pilots
employed as armament instructors after qualification on the three and a
half months' armament instructors' course may be retained in flying
practice throughout the period they are so employed. During this time
they will be eligible for flying bounty under para 3461 of KR & ACI.
2. The necessary amendments to KR & ACI. will be promulgated in due
course. Text
Source - Air Ministry Order A1/1934 dated 11 January 1934.
Selection of Airmen as Pilots
It has been decided to make the changes outlined below in the system of recommending and selecting airmen for service as pilots.
Date of selection - Subject to paras 6 and 7 below, airmen will in future be selected during the following years of service for training as pilots -
Ex-apprentices and skilled recruits entered into trades in groups I-IV - during the third year of service after the date of completion of training or, in the case of skilled recruits who are not posted to a training establishment, after the date of completion of the disciplinary course.
Airmen entered in group V who remuster to a trade in a higher group (excluding the trade of armoured car crew) - during the second year of service after the date of remustering.
Preliminary recommendation - With effect from the date of this order, the provisions of para 506, clause 1, of KR & ACI, in regard to the recommendations that may be given to apprentices on passing out by the COs of the schools for training aircraft apprentices and apprentice clerks, are to be regarded as applying to the COs of all training establishments. In addition COs of all units will annotate, on 31st December of each year, or when the airman concerned is posted to another unit, the certificate of service (Form 280) of all airmen, serving under their command whom they consider suitable for pilot service and who have not yet passed out of the zones laid down in para 2 above. The notation will take the form of an entry "recommended for airman pilot" under the heading "Description and place" in the column for special qualifications, this order (or the appropriate paragraph of KR & ACI when amended) being quoted as authority.
COs will ensure that airmen, whose certificates of service they propose to annotate, will receive not less than three hours' flying as passengers during the twelve months preceding annotation. This flying is intended to test the air sense of the airmen concerned, and before annotation COs should give careful consideration to the reports they receive on such tests.
Recommendations by air and other officers commanding - The dates by which recommendations for forwarded by air and other officers commanding (both at home and abroad) under para. 506, clause 2, of KR & ACI should reach the Air Ministry will in future be 1st April and 1st October of each year (starting with 1st October 1934). Recommendations may be made up to the limits laid down below :-
| Western Area | 9 | Cranwell | 2 | |
| Central Area | 6 | Middle East | 17 | |
| Fighting Area.. | 9 | Iraq | 13 | |
| No 1 Air Defence Group | 2 | India | 13 | |
| Inland Area | 23 | Mediterranean | 4 | |
| Coastal Area | 16 | Aden | 2 | |
| Halton | 1 | Far East | 7 |
Revised quotas will be issued from time to time
Application of new system - In order that full consideration may given to the claims of personnel who are eligible for consideration under the present regulations, the zones of selection laid down in para. 2 will not be brought into full operation until 1st April, 1936. Airmen will be eligible for recommendation under the present regulations on 1st October 1934, but subject to para 7 below, only airmen with not more than, years service (after completion of trade training) will be eligible for recommendation on 1st April 1935, and only airmen with not more than 4 years' service (after completion of trade training) will be eligible for recommendtion on 1st October, 1935.
Candidates for training as pilots will continue to be subject to the present conditions of eligibility, including the following: -
They must be leading aircraftmen, corporals or sergeants.
They must be under 25 years of age at the date of commencing flying training.
They must be able to complete six years' service from that date without re engagement (but with, if necessary, a suitable extension not involving a total of more than 12 years' service).
Source - Air Ministry Order A172/1934 dated 12 July 1934.
Selection of Airmen as Pilots
The limits which have hitherto been imposed on the numbers of airmen who may be recommended by each command for training as pilots are withdrawn and AOCs may in future recommend any number of airmen who are suitable and who comply with the specific conditions of eligibility.
The eligibility of an airman in respect of age and number of years unexpired service is in future to be determined with reference to his age and service on 1st October or 1st April next following the date on which the recommendations are due at the Air Ministry.
AMO A172/34 is, therefore. amended as follows: -
Para 5. Delete the last two sentences.
Para 7, item (ii). Delete "at the date of commencing flying training" and substitute "on 1st October or 1st April next following the date, on which recommendations are due at the Air Ministry."
An airman who has been recommended, but whose definite selection for training has not been notified by the date on which further recommendations are due, should be recommended again if he remains eligible and it is desired that he should still be considered.
AOCs are reminded of the necessity for compliance with Air Ministry letter 964198/29/M.1 of 14th July 1930, indicating that a copy of the list of recommendations is to be forwarded confidentially by commands to the Officer i/c Records, at the same time as the original is sent to the Air Ministry.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A30/1935 dated 14 February 1935.
Careers of Flying Instructors
The Air Council have had under review the Policy governing the provision of flying instructors which is laid down in AMO A238/31. The experimental procedure outlined in that order in conjunct ion with the provisions of AMO A235/33 whereby the selection of officers for instructor courses is made at the same stage of service as as the selection of officers for specialisation has proved satisfactory in providing suitable officers for this work. The Council propose, therefore, to continue this system and to assimilate in certain respects the career of flying instructors even more closely with that of specialist officers.
One of the results of the system of time promotion to flight
lieutenant (cf AMO) A18/34) is to eliminate the necessity for a separate
classification of flight lieutenant and flying officer flying instructor
posts. It will be practicable to regard existing flight lieutenant and
flying officer flying instructor posts as forming one class - which it is
proposed to designate "flight lieutenant or flying officer" posts - with the
consequent advantage that it will be unnecessary to repost a flying officer
serving in a flying
instructor post if, during his tenure of it, he is promoted to flight
lieutenant.
The essential distinction in future will be between flying
instructors serving in their first tour as such and those serving in their
second or third tours. It will, therefore, be possible to put flying
instructor posting on lines similar to specialist posting. After
completing his first three-year tour between four and seven years' service,
a flying instructor will revert to other air force duty for a tour of two to
three years. He will be earmarked for return to flying instructor
employment at the end of his reversion posting. When this time comes
he will automatically return to flying instructor employment for his second
tour, and normally no other posting, except in the case of officers selected
early for the Staff College, will be allowed to interfere with this.
After completing a second flying instructor tour, an officer will revert
again to other air force duty and will be available later in the rank of
squadron leader for a third flying instructor tour. It will not be
necessary, however, to earmark more than a proportion
of officers completing their second tour to return to flying instructor
employment for a third tour.
Flying instructor posts at present classified as flight lieutenant posts and flying officer pouts respectively will in future be classified as "flight lieutenant or flying officer" posts. It is recognised that the duties of a number of these posts make them appropriate to second-tour officers and they will be so filled, so far as second tour officers are available. The fact that a post has hitherto been classified as a flight lieutenant post will not necessarily entitle it to a second-tour instructor; it may be filled by one of the more senior of the officers in their first tour.
The Council have further decided that medium service flying
instructors shall be required to give two tours as flying instructor with an
interval of reversion to other employment between them. Selection of
short service officers for permanent commissions and medium service and
their selection for specialist and flying instructor training will continue
to he made in the fourth year of service; short service officers entered
subsequently to 1st April 1932, will, therefore, have an average of seven
years to serve after selection for medium service. Of this period
medium service flying instructors would spend the first three years and the
last two in flying instructor employment.
6. The conditions of the provision of flying instructors from airmen pilots
remain unchanged.
Source - Air Ministry Order A103/1934 dated 26 April 1934.
Provision of Air Observers
It has been for some time clear that the present system of providing for observer duties in the Royal Air Force by the employment of airmen as air gunners, mainly on a part-time basis, has been becoming increasingly inadequate to the fighting requirements of the service as the work of squadrons increased in complexity and as the organisation of the crews of aircraft developed. The Air Council have accordingly decided, as the result of very full and careful consideration, to introduce a new type of observer, to be known as air observer, as outlined below. These airmen will replace the existing full-time air gunner and, save in flying boat squadrons, two-seater fighter squadrons and, to an extent, in army co-operation squadrons, the part-time air gunner will also disappear. Observers in the Fleet Air Mm will continue to be provided from naval sources.
The aim is to provide that
the observer should be an airman of good type and of adequate educational standard.
employment as observer should extend over as long a period as practicable.
the observer should be of adequate rank and experience.
he should be adequately trained.
The solution adopted will, in the Council's view, secure that all these desiderata are fully, provided for.
Observers will be drawn from the following trades in the approximate proportions shown
| Fitter (armouror) | 8% |
| Armourer | 16% |
| Wireless operator mechanic | 16% |
| ireless operator | 40% |
| Photographer | 7% |
| Fitter (including rigger) | 9% |
| Instrument maker | 4% |
87 per cent of air observers will therefore be drawn from the armament, signal and photographer trades; these trades were selected because their duties are most closely connected with the work of squadrons in the air; their personnel will therefore gain most in the efficiency of their work on the ground by being used to perform analogous duties in the air and the organisation of their time on a half-observer, half-trade, basis (see para. 6 below) presents the least difficulties. It will be observed that 37 per cent. of air observers will be drawn from apprentice trades and the remainder from the three trades (armourer, wireless operator, and photographer), which will in future be recruited from the new class of boy entrants (see para 6 of AMO A195/34). The first essential for securing for observer duties a type of high standard is, therefore, met.
4. To secure the remaining three requirements laid down in para 2, airmen will be selected for training as observer when they have had approximately 7 years' man's service and will continue to be available for employment as observer during the remainder of their first period of engagement and, if re-engaged, until they complete 18 years' man's service, unless previously, promoted above the rank of sergeant. During the years of their availability for employment as air observers their postings will normally be to squadrons in which they can be so employed. While selection for observer duty carries with it no guarantee of selection for re engagement, the policy will be to select for these duties airmen who are considered likely to be suitable for re-engagement as far as the non-apprentice tradesmen are concerned, the great majority of those re-engaged will have qualified as air observers. On posting to a unit for duty as air observer, on satisfactory completion of the course of instruction at the Air Armament School referred to in para. 5 below, they will, be promoted to the rank of corporal if they do not already hold that rank.
The duties of observers will vary widely between different types of squadron and will develop with changes in tactical ideas and material (e.g. the introduction of the automatic pilot). Their main training must therefore take place in squadrons. Airmen selected for air observer will, however, be given a two months' initial course in gunnery and bombing at the Air Armament School, on the successful completion of which they will be regarded as eligible for posting as air observers. Their subsequent training in squadrons will include, according to the requirements of the squadron, signalling, navigation, photography and look-out. Observers will, therefore, spend a considerable proportion of their time in attending instruction in the work of their unit on the same lines as the instruction given to airman pilots and junior officers.
The basis of allocation of observers will be as follows: -
| SEB, TEB and TB squadrons | 1 for each aircraft on initial equipment |
| Army co-operation squadrons | 1 for each flight |
They will be employed half time as observers and half-time on the duties of their trade, and the establishments of squadrons will be increased to permit of this. Thus in a SEB squadron a net increase of three airmen will be made, which, with the replacements for the three full-time air gunners at present allowed and who will no longer be required, will provide the 12 half-time observers. All posts for observers will be in the rank of corporal, except that the following posts in the rank of sergeant will be provided
| SEB and TB squadrons | 3 per squadron |
| TEB squadrons | 4 per squadron |
| Army co-operation squadrons | 1 per squadron |
The establishments of squadrons in the trades from which the observers are drawn will be upgraded to allow of the NCOs required half-time for observer duty being available. The resultant establishments of certain typical squadrons as compared with the present are shown in the appendix. This appendix is purely illustrative and detailed establishments will be promulgated in due course.
Air observers will receive the pay of their rank and group and, in addition, while they are employed as observers, they will be entitled, under the usual conditions, to air gunner pay and crew pay. They will remain on the promotion roster of their trade and will cease to be available for employment on observer duties on being promoted to the rank of flight sergeant or on completing 18 years' man's service, whichever shall occur first.
(i) Arrangements are being made to commence the training of air observers this year and details of the courses will be published at an early date. Lists of airmen who are considered suitable for training are to be submitted twice yearly by AOCs and should reach the Officer i/c Records by 1st April and 1st October in each year. The first return should reach Record Office by 1st October 1934.
In submitting recommendations, COs should bear in mind that a high standard of intelligence is essential, but no limit will be placed on te numbers of airmen to be recommended provided they conform to following conditions: -
They must be of the rank of sergeant or corporal. They must have been accepted for re-engagement or be considered likely to be suitable for re-engagement and have completed not less than 7 years' and not more than 13 years' service - in each case on 1st April or 1st October, as the case may be.
(b) They must be of one of the following trades
Fitter, grade I*
Fitter (armourer).
Armourer.
Wireless operator mechanic.
Photographer.
Wireless opeiator,
Instrument maker.
*Existing fitters, aero engine, and riggers will be eligible for selection for air observer as soon as they have successfully completed the conversion course referred to in para 16 of AMO A364/1932.
Full-time air gunners not selected for air observer duties will continue serve full-time air gunners until reverted to their basic trades under para 507, KR & ACI.
The scheme outlined above will involve far reaching changes in the organisation of squadrons, and specific instructions as to the introduction of the new organisation will be issued from time to time as air observers become available. The resultant increases in the total numbers and in the gradings of establishments will be made gradually and promulgated in the normal way.
APPENDIX
SPECIMEN ESTABLISHMENTS
| Type of Squadron | Establishment* | Armament Trades | Signals Trades | Photographers | Instrument Makers | Total of preceding Trades | Fitters (Observers) | Total Observers | |||||||||||||||||||||
| F/S | Sgt | Cpl | AC | Total | F/S | Sgt | Cpl | AC | Total | F/S | Sgt | Cpl | AC | Total | F/S | Sgt | Cpl | AC | Total | F/S | Sgt | Cpl | AC | Total | Sgt | Cpl | |||
| SEB | E | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | - | 1 | - | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 17 | ||||||||
| R | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9 | - | 1 | 6 | 3 | 10 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 23 | |||||||||
| O | - | 1 | 2 | - | 3 | - | 1 | 6 | - | 7 | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | 2 | 9 | - | 11 | 1 | - | 12 | ||||||
| TEB (night) | E | - | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 18 | - | - | ½ | 1½ | 2† | - | 1 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6½ | 19½ | 30 | |||
| R | - | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 20 | - | - | ½ | 1½ | 2† | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6½ | 22½ | 35 | ||||
| O | - | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 3 | 2 | - | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | 2 | - | 4 | 5 | - | 9 | 1 | 1 | 10 | |
| AC | E | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | - | 2 | 3 | 28 | 33 | - | - | 1 | 4 | 5 | - | 3 | 5 | 37 | 45 | ||||||||
| R | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | - | 2 | 3 | 28 | 33 | - | 1 | - | 4 | 5 | - | 4 | 4 | 37 | 45 | |||||||||
| O | - | 1 | - | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | - | - | 3 | ||||||||
* E = existing; R = revised under air observer scheme; O = number of observers in revised establishment.
† i.e., 1 corporal and 3 aircraftmen per two-squadron station.
Source - Air Ministry Order A196/1934 dated 9 August 1934.
Airman Pilots - Flying Practice after Remustering to Basic Trade
Extension of period of flying practice - Airmen who are accepted for training as pilots after the date of this order and are subsequently selected for re-engagement, will be required to keep in flying practice until they attain the age of 38 or are promoted to warrant rank, whichever occurs first. It will, however, be within the discretion of an air or other officer commanding, on the recommendation of a CO, to decide at any time that an airman shall no longer be retained in flying practice if evidence that he has ceased to be an efficient pilot is forthcoming. While retained in practice, airmen will be liable for pilot service in emergency.
Airmen under training or already trained as pilots (including those who have been remustered to their basic trades), who desire to be retained in flying practice as provided above, may apply to their COs towards the expiration of their present period of liability for such practice. Applications from airmen who have completed this period will only be approved after they have carried out a flying test to the satisfaction of their CO. Eligibility for flying bounty under the present conditions (para 3461, of KR & ACI) will take effect from the date on which applications are approved by COs.
Attachments to other units for flying practice or for the test referred to above will be arranged by commands for airmen serving in non-flying units.
Decisions regarding the resumption, continuance or discontinuance of flying practice will be promulgated in unit casualty forms.
Extension of flying time - The minimum amount of flying to be performed by all airmen pilots who have been remustered to their basic trades and are in flying practice will in future he five hours a quarter. The new minimum will not, however, apply to the current quarter if practice in accordance with the present regulations has already been completed.
KR & ACI will he amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A203/1934 dated 16 August 1934.
AMO A203/34 is amended as follows: -
After para 2 insert the following new paragraph -
2A. Airmen who have ceased to be liable for flying practice and who apply to their COs for permission to resume such practice under para. 2 above will be medically examined as follows, prior to resumption being approved.
If flying practice ceased (otherwise than for medical unfitness) less than 12 months before the application - by unit medical officers, the result being recorded on Form 42.
If flying practice eased 12 or more months before the application (or if the cessation was due to medical unfitness) by the appropriate medical board.
Source - Air Ministry Order A287/1934 dated 22 November 1934.
Airman Pilots - Extension of Flying Service
With reference to para 3 of AMO A141/33, in consequence of the decision of HM Government to expand the Royal Air Force, it has been a temporary measure to allow certain airman pilots to extend their flying service as provided in para 3.
Airmen whose selection for re-engagement is notified before they are due to remuster to their basic trades will continue to serve as pilots until, but not beyond, the expiration of their normal periods of flying service.
Subject to para 4 below and to the usual conditions, the flying service of all other airmen who are mustered as pilots at the date of this order will be extended as follows: -
If not desirous of re-engagement - until the completion of their regular service.
If desirous of re-engagement - until the receipt of the decision in the unit. Airmen who are selected for re-engagement will be remustered to their basic trades forthwith; those who are not selected will continue as pilots until the completion of their regular service.
Any airman who does not wish his flying service to be extended as provided in para 3 is to intimate the fact to his CO, who will then muster him to his basic trade on the normal date and notify the Air Ministry through the usual channels.
The flying service of airmen who are granted extensions or prolongations of their engagements will be extended as provided above, except that those whose engagements are prolonged will normally be remustered to their basic trades on completing 12 years' regular service. Any recommendation that an airman should, in exceptional circumstances, not be so re-mustered should be forwarded shortly before 12 years' service is completed.
Source - Air Ministry Order A324/1934 dated 27 December 1934.
Paragraph 5 added - AMO A181/35 dated 18 July 1935
RAF Reserve - Direct Entry for Flying Duties
Measures have recently been taken, in the light of present requirements, to broaden the basis of the reserve of pilots, with particular reference to the entry and training in flying duties of candidates from civil life.
This order states in brief outline the conditions of direct entry to the Reserve, and of subsequent service and training, so that these conditions may be made known as widely as possible.
Direct entrants into the Reserve from civil life, with the exception of candidates who hold a certificate of proficiency granted in a university air squadron are entered as airman pilots. There are two sections to the class (known as class F) in which these entrants are placed. Section I comprises pilots who hold a Class A civil pilot's licence and have completed not less than 25 hours flying. Section II comprises pilots who have had no previous flying experience (or insufficient experience to qualify them for inclusion in Section I) and who are trained ab initio in the Reserve.
Candidates must have attained. the age of 18, but must not have attained the age of 28 for Section I or 25 for Section II. They must have had a good education and be of European descent and the sons of British parents.
Successful candidates are enlisted for a period of 5 years, on the completion of which they may apply for a further period or periods of service up to the age limit for their class, which is 38 years. Provision is made for promotions to commissioned rank to complete establishment.
Training is carried out on light type civil aircraft at selected civil flying schools. Pilots of Section I are required to train every year for approximately three weeks. Pilots of Section II are required to carry out initial training for approximately nine weeks during the first six months of service, for approximately one week in the second six months and for approximately three weeks a year thereafter. The initial training of pilots in Section II commences with fortnight's ground course, after which they complete a total of 50 hours (dual and solo) flying training. The actual length of the course, as of all the flying courses, is dependent on the time taken to complete the prescribed amount of training.
Pilots receive pay and allowances (or issues in knid) ranging from 16s 6d to 17s 6d a day when carrying out training. In addition they receive pay at 9d a day and flying reserve pay at £10.00 a year subject to compliance with th eregulations.
Candidates can obtain further details, which are
contained in AM Pamphlet 56, on application to the Secretary, Air
Ministry, Kingsway, London, WC2.
Source - Air Ministry Order A325/1934 dated 27 December 1934.
Selection, Training and Qualification of Air Observers
The following instructions regarding the selection, training and qualification of air observers are issued in amplification of those contained in AMO A196/34. While the difficulties experienced by COs in recommending airmen for course at the present time are fully appreciated the Air Council wish to emphasise the high importance of the air observer scheme and the vital necessity for men of suitable type to be recommended in adequate numbers.
SELECTION
COs must realise the need for the careful selection of prospective air observers and their recommendations should be made as thoroughly as are those of prospective aiman pilots. Particular attention is to be paid to the candidates' keenness and aptitude for air work.
In view of the increased requirements due to the expansion of the Royal Air Force, it has been decided that the conditions of eligibility should in future be as :follows: -
Airmen to be of the trades prescribed in para. 8 (ii) (b )of AMO A196/34, and to be sergeants, corporals, or leading aircraftmen. They must have been accepted for re-engagement or be considered likely to be suitable for re-engagement, and have completed not less than six, and not more than twelve years service on the date on which recommendations are due at the Record Office.
Part-time air gunners may be recommended, but not full-time air gunners, armament or photographic instructors or airman pilots who have been remustered to their basic trades and are being kept in flying practice while liable for service as pilots in emergency. (As regards full-time air gunners, see para.7 (ii) below.)
Experience with the early recommendations of airmen for training as air observers has shown the desirability of prescribing standards education and flying experience. and the following have been adopted: -
Educational standard - Before an airman is recommended for training as an air observer, he must have passed the higher education test, part I (b), in elementary practical mathematics and the properties of matter, or have received instruction from the station education officer in those subjects up to the standard of the higher education test. The certificate rendered in accordance with para 391 clause 1A, of KR & ACI, is to indicate that this standard has been attained.
Flying experience - Candidates for training as air observers must have completed a minimum of 15 hours' flying as passenger; this should, where possible, include aerobatics and periods spent in the normal bomb-aiming position in a service type of aircraft.
Para 1454 of KR & ACI, relative to the standard of physical fitness for, and medical examination of, air gunners, applies equally to air observers and candidates for training as such. In Form 42, airmen will be classified as "fit (or unfit) air observer."
TRAINING
Details of the training of air observers at the Air Armament School and subsequently in squadrons (outlined in para 5 of AMO A196/34) are as follows :-
Gunnery and bombing training is carried out during an eight weeks' course at the Air Armament School, and air observers are required to reach a satisfactory standard in the following subjects on completion of the course.-
operation and maintenance of the Lewis gun, camera gun, and bombsight;
knowledge of small arms ammunition, bombs, bomb components, pyrotechnics and bomb carriers;
practical air firing, wind speed and direction finding and level bombing.
Navigation, photography and signals training is carried out under the direction of the COs of squadrons. Qualifying tests based on the following requirements are to be passed by air observers on the completion of such training
Navigation -
An examination based on the navigation portion of the command annual individual training syllabus;
the navigation of an aircraft with skeleton map on a cross-country flight of 3 hours' duration, or, in a coast defence unit, a flight of the same duration over the sea. Demonstration of ability to check drift and determine wind velocity with the instruments provided. Maintenance of a satisfactory log of the flight on Form 441;
demonstration of ability to swing, test, and adjust aircraft compasses.
Photography -
An examination based on the photographic portion of the command individual training syllabus;
knowledge of service photographic equipment;
ability to take satisfactory oblique and vertical photographs, pin-points and overlaps.
Signals - An examination based on the signals portion of the command individual training syllabus; this must include a knowledge of all methods of signalling used in the air and the principles of all methods of direction finding used in the Royal Air Force.
QUALIFICATION
(i) As indicated in AMO A I 96/34. airmen will be remustered to air observers and promoted to the rank of corporal (if below that rank) on posting to a unit for observer's duties after completing successfully the course at the Air Armament School, but they will remain on strict probation for 12 months thereafter and will not be regarded as finally qualified until they have -
passed the tests enumerated in para 6 (ii) above
attained a satisfactory standard, of training in the annual tests at an armament training camp or, for airmen serving abroad, during annual armament training under arrangements made by AOCs.
served satisfactorily as an observer in a squadron during the probationary period and been recommended by their COs.
(ii) Existing full-time air gunners who are eligible as regards rank, trade and length of service may, subject to the prior approval of the Officer i/c Records, he remustered as air observers without undergoing a further course of instruction. They must fulfil requirements (a.)-(c) before being regarded as qualified, but may count satisfactory service as full-time air gunner in a squadron towards the prescribed probationary period.
At the expiration of the period of probation, reports will be forwarded to air or other officers commanding, who will authorise confirmation as air observer if requirements (a)-(c) of para 7 have been fulfilled, sending a copy of the authority to the Officer i/c Records. When these requirements are unfulfilled, the AOC will authorise an extension of the probationary period if the airman is considered to be likely to qualify after further experience; if, however, there is clearly no likelihood of his becoming an efficient observer, Air Ministry approval will be sought for his remustering to his basic trade,
Should it become necessary to remuster an air observer to his basic trade, the question of retention of rank or of reversion to a lower rank will be considered on its merits in each individual case.
The description of air observers on all official documents will indicate their basic trades also, e.g., air observer (armourer), air observer (photographer), etc.
Source - Air Ministry Order A54/1935 dated 14 March 1935.
Amended by AMO A376/1938 dated 6 October 1938.
Instrument Flying Instruction
In future, pupils passing out from units undertaking ab initio flying instruction will be assessed as to their ability in instrument flying on the following basis: -
Exceptional - A pupil whose aptitude is such that he is considered suitable for posting to a squadron which has been trained in cloud-flying.
Above the average - A pupil who will be able to continue the instrument-flying training included in the individual training syllabus of the service squadron to which he is posted without requiring further dual instruction from a qualified instrument-flying instructor.
Average - A pilot who will require further dual instruction from a qualified instrument-flying instructor before he will be fit to undertake the instrument-flying training included in the individual training syllabus of the service squadron to which he is posted.
Below the average - A pilot who has found great difficulty in grasping the rudiments of instrument-flying and who should be given instruction only when he has gained more experience as a general pilot (say 30 hours solo with his service squadron).
No assessment - A pilot who has shown no aptitude whatsoever for instrument-flying.
The assessment, preceded by the words, "Pupil's assessment," is to be entered in the pupil's flying log book when he leaves the unit at which he completes his ab initio training.
Source - Air Ministry Order A60/1935 dated 21 March 1935.
Organisation of "ab initio" Flying Training - University Candidates, Short Service Officers and Airman Pilots
A new scheme of ab initio flying training of university candidates, short service officers and airman pilots will be brought into operation during the current year as rapidly as the circumstances of the flying training schools permit
Under this scheme all new entrants, except those who
have already had flying experience sufficient to warrant their
exceptional treatment, will be sent in the first instance to a civil
flying school for training as pilots on elementary types of aircraft and
for elementary ground instruction. This course, which is that at
present given to entrants into the Reserve for training as pilots, will
normally last for eight weeks but may be slightly extended, for example,
if bad weather renders that necessary. University
candidates and candidates for short service commissions will hold
civilian status during the period of the course.
On satirfactory completion of the civil school course, university candidates will be commissioned and posted to the RAF College, Cranwell, for an intensive five months' course of flying and ground training covering a more advanced syllabus. Short service candidates will similarly be commissioned and will proceed, after a short disciplinary course at the RAF Depot, to a flying training school; airman pilots (other than any entered direct from civil life) will not go through the disciplinary course and will proceed direct to a flying training school. The course of training at flying training school will normally, last for nine months. This course will consist of training on service types of aircraft and will in addition include more advanced practical training in armament, navigation and instrument flying and also training in night-flying.
During the present period of rapid expansion of the air force the flying training school course described in the preceding paragraph will be condensed and its period will be curtailed to six months. By intensive instruction it is hoped to cover a substantial part of the extended syllabus.
The aim of the policy explained above is, by accelerating the elementary stage of flying and ground instruction, to carry service training to a materially higher standard than can at present be attained, without however, increasing the total length of training and consequently reducing the period of service given by short service officers and airman pilots in squadrons. The extended syllabus is designed to eliminate a considerable part of the individual training at present given to a pilot in his first year in a squadron and thus to render him fit to take his part in flight training immediately on posting to a squadron. Those advantages can only in part be attained during the present period of rapid expansion when, owing to the need for an accelerated outflow of pupils, the period of the flying training school course is temporarily reduced to six months.
Source - Air Ministry Order A135/1935 dated 4 June 1935.
Introduction of Air Observer Scheme
I It has been decided that air observers, as they become available will be introduced into squadrons as far as possible in the same order in which the squadrons are to be brought within the scope of new fitter organisation. The programme of the latter scheme has been communicated to commands. Twin-engined bomber squadrons will not be affected at present, however.
On transfer to the air observer organisation the establishment of the squadron will be amended so as to include its full complement of air observers, and the authority included therein for the issue of air gunner and crew pay will be wholly or partly deleted according to the type of squadron. The training arrangements for air observers render it improbable that each squadron will receive its full strength of air observers at one time. Until informed by the Officer i/c Records, therefore, that the posting of air observers to his squadron is complete, an officer commanding may continue to authorise air gunner and/or crew pay for a number of airmen not exceeding those formerly allowed on establishment less tile number of air observers actually posted to the squadron. Once notification from Officer i/c Records has been received as referred to above, however the authority will cease - except in the case of squadrons where part- time air gunners continue to be employed after transfer to the air observer scheme; authority in these cases will continue to be incorporated in establishments.
It should be noted that normally a period of from two to three months will elapse between outputs of air observers from the training establishment and that endeavour will be made by the Officer i/c Records to complete the posting of air observers to each squadron from not more than two consecutive courses.
Source - Air Ministry Order A144/1935 dated 13 June 1935.
Airman Pilots retained in Flying Practice after Remustering to their Basic Trades - Designation
The trade classification of airmen who are required to keep in flying practice in accordance with AMO A203/34 is in future to include the word "(pilot)," e.g., carpenter (pilot), armourer (pilot), etc., and the appropriate remustering action is to be taken both as regards ex-airman pilots now in flying practice and airman pilots who complete their periods of flying service after the date of this order.
When for any reason airmen cease to be liable to keep in flying practice they are to be formally remustered to their basic trades, the word (pilot)" being omitted.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A188/1935 dated 25 July 1935.
Airman Pilots - Extension of Flying Service
Owing to the accelerated expansion of the Royal Air Force, a number of airmen who have been remustered to their basic trades on completion of a period of service as pilots may be required at some future date to revert to flying duties for a further period. An announcement will be made if and when this becomes necessary, and until then applications need not be forwarded.
Meanwhile, airmen selected for re-engagement who become due for remustering to their basic trades between the date of this order and 1st April 1937, will not be remustered as indicated in paras 2 and 3 (ii) of AMO A324/34. Subject to para 3 below and to the usual conditions, their flying service will be extended until 1st January 1938, provided they are so long required.
Any airman who does not wish his flying service to be extended as provided in para. 2 is to intimate the fact to his CO, who will then remuster him to his basic trade on the normal date and notify the Air Ministry through the usual channels.
Source - Air Ministry Order A211/1935 dated 22 August 1935.
Selection of Airmen as Pilots
The restriction as regards service which was to have applied to airmen recommended after 1st October 1935 for training as pilot, see para 6 of AMO A172/34, will not now be applicable, and the recommendations due at the Air Ministry on 1st April, 1936, which are un restricted as to numbers, may include the names of airmen with not more than five years' service (after completion of trade training), if otherwise eligible. The conditions of eligibility in regard to age and service are restated below, the governing date for the calculation of age and service on this occasion being 1st October 1936: -
Airmen must be under 25 years of age
They must be able to complete six years' service or be willing to execute such extension or prolongation of engagement as will enable them to complete this period of service
Ex-apprentices and airmen of groups I-IV entered as skilled recruits must have over two, but under five, years' service after the completion of trade training (or disciplinary training if trade training is not undergone): ex-group V airmen must, have over one year's, but under five years', service in the higher group to which they have been remustered.
It should be noted that, when recommendations are made on Forms 494 of other than the latest print (July 1935), the airman's age on 1st October 1936, is to be shown in the appropriate space.
Source - Air Ministry Order A302/1935 dated 28 November 1935.
Squadron Navigation Officers
I It has been decided, as a temporary measure, to permit officers and airman pilots who hold the Civil Air Navigator's Licence, 2nd class and are recommended by then COs to be considered for posting for squadron navigation duties.
COs are to forward as soon as possible, through the usual channels a nominal roll of officers and airmen pilots so qualified, stating in each case the date of qualification and their recommendation as to the suitability of the officer or airman pilot concerned to undertake the duties laid down in KR & ACI, para 760.
Source - Air Ministry Order A1/1936 dated 2 January 1936.
Provision of Air Observers and Air Gunners
Air Observers
| 1 | The Air Council have had under consideration the scheme for the selection, training and qualification of air observers set forth in AMOs A.196/34 and A.54/35 and have decided to make the following modifications, having regard to the greatly increased requirements under the accelerated expansion programme and to the experience which has been gained in selecting and training air observers under this scheme. The modifications are of a temporary character and will be subject to review from time to time |
| 2 | Sources of supply - Since ex-boy entrants of the
requsite seniority will not be available for some years, the field of
selection amongst ex-apprentices will, for the present, be widened by
increasing the proportion of air observers drawn from the trades of
fitter (armourer) and wireless operator mechanic and decreasing
correspondingly the proportion drawn from the trades of armourer and
wireless operator. The revised proportions, as compared with those
indicated in para 3 of AMO. A196/34, are shown below:
Deleted by AMO 196/38 OF 5 May 1938 |
| Apprentice Trades | Percentages | |
| Old | New | |
| Fitter (Armourer) | 8 | 34 |
| Wireless operator mechanic | 16 | |
| Fitter (including rigger) | 9 | 9 |
| Instrument maker | 4 | 4 |
| Total | 37 | 47 |
| Boy Entrant Trades | ||
| Armourer | 16 | 46 |
| Wireless operator | 40 | |
| Photographer | 7 | 7 |
| Total | 63 | 53 |
| 3 |
Conditions of eligibility - (i) The field of selection will also be increased by reducing from six to four years the minimum period of service to be rendered prior to recommendation for training as air observer. The conditions of eligibility indicated in para 3 of AMO A.54/35, as thus. modified, are stated below: - (This part was deleted by AMO A196/38 of 5 May 1938 and replaced by the part shown below as were corresponding details in the other sentences) (i) The field of selection will also be increased by reducing from four to three years the minimum period of service to be rendered prior to recommendation for training as air observer, and by rendering fitter (aero-engine) and metal riggers eligible for selection. The conditions of eligibility indicated in para 3 of AMO A.54/35, as thus. modified, are stated below: - Airmen to be of the trade of fitter (armourer), wireless operator mechanic, fitter, (aero-engine), metal rigger, instrument maker, armourer, wireless operator or photographer and to be sergeants, corporals or leading aircraftmen. They must have been accepted for re-engagement or be considered likely to be suitable for re-engagement and have completed not less than three, and not more than twelve, years service on the date on which recommendations are due at the Record Office. Part-time air gunners complying with the above conditions may be recommended, but not armament or photographic instructors, ex-airman pilots who are being kept in flying practice in their basic trades, or full-time air gunners (see, however, para 7 (ii) of AMO A.54/35 as regards the last mentioned). (ii) The attention of prospective air observers is drawn to the fact that, while selection for this duty carries no guarantee of re-engagement, the selection will be made as far as possible from those who are considered likely to be suitable for re-engagement and successful service as an observer will be a material factor in determining ultimate selection for re-engagement. Airmen who are recommended for training as air observers or who qualify, as such are not debarred from selection for training as pilots. |
| 4 | Educational standard - While it is desirable for the standard specified in para 4 (i) of AMO A.54/35 to be adhered to as far as possible, airmen who have not attained that standard may be recommended for the present, provided they have passed, or have been exempted under para 4133, KR & ACI, from, the educational test for reclassification as leading aircraftmen and are certified by their COs as otherwise suitable for training as air observers. |
| 5 | Medical standard - While the revised medical standards for airmen set forth in AMO A.286/35 are in force, airmen selected for training as air observers must, in addition to being classified as fit in accordance with para 1454 of KR & ACI, be classified as "fit, grade I "or "fit, grade II (general service)". |
| 6 | Method of Selection. -
A form of recommendation of airmen for training as observers will be introduced and is to accompany the the lists forwarded twice yearly, by a CO to the Officer i/c Records commenicing with those due on 1st April 1936. (This part was deleted by AMO A196/38 of 5 May 1938 and replaced by the part shown below) Lists of airmen recommended for training as observers, accompanied. by Form 1739, are to be forwarded by AOCs to the Officer i/c Records on 1st January, 1st April , 1st July and 1st October in each year., Each airman recommended by a CO is to be interviewed by an officer not below the rank of group captain, who will record his remarks on the form. Thus the procedure will be similar to that applicable to the recommendation of airmen for training as pilots and the Air Council desire that all officers concerned will regard its operation as of similar importance. |
| 6A |
Observer's badge -
|
| 6B | Rank if remustered prematurely - When for any reason an air observer is remustered to his basic trade before completing his normal of service as air observer, the Officer i/c Records will report the circumstances to the the Air Ministry if the retention of corporal is considered to be unjustified owing to insufficient service or for other reasons: should the Air Ministry decide that the airman shall revert to a lower rank, the, reversion will at once he promulgated in unit forms and will take effect from the date of promulgation. |
| 6C | Action when medically unfit for flying -When an air observer has been medically unfit for flying for a continuous period of two months and has not then completed his normal period of service as air observer, his CO will remuster him to his basic trade, provisionally in the rank held by him as air observer, with effect from the day following the completion of two months' absence from flying duties. If the airman's medical unfitness for flying duties is directly attributable to service and there is no reasonable probability of his return to flying duties, the Air Ministry may decide that remustering shall be post-dated by a period of one month. If and when the airman is again found medically fit for flying duties he will normally be remustered as an air observer from the date on which he reports for duty on posting for flying duties. |
| 6D | Promotion - Airmen not already holding the rank of corporal will be promoted to that rank on posting to a unit for air observer's duties. The promotion of air observers beyond the rank of corporal will depend on the occurrence of vacancies in their basic trade, but steps will be taken to ensure that they do not suffer by reason of their half-time employment as tradesmen. |
| 7 | Promotion to corporal - In view of the reduction in the minimum period of service (see para 3 above) the provision in para 4 of AMO 196/34 as regards promotion to corporal is cancelled. In future, air observers will be promoted to corporal on completing six years service or on remustering (if they have already completed six years service) or, if earlier, on being confirmed as air observer after satisfactorily completing the probationary period referred to in paras 7 and 8 of AMO A.54/35. It will thus be possible for junior airmen to secure considerably accelerated promotion by service as air observers. |
| 8 | Training and qualification - Air observers employed in fighter squadrons will not be required to undergo squadron training in photography as laid down in para. 6 (ii) (b) of AMO A.54/35 and may be confirmed without having qualified in this subject. |
Air Gunners (Part Time)
The Air Council have also considered the system of providing air gunners, in relation to the air observer scheme and to the requirements consequent on expansion, and have decided to modify it as follows: -
Source of supply - Policy will be directed to securing that, in future, except in flying' boat squadrons, air gunners are drawn principally from the personnel of flights (like air observers), a high proportion being drawn from mates and the balance from airmen in trades not eligible for employment as air observers. For the present, however; airmen of all groups will continue to he eligible for training as air gunners. The provisions of clause I of para 408 KR & ACI that not more than 75 per cent of the air gunners in home units may be of trades in groups I-IV and that 50 per cent of the air gunners in twin engined bomber squadrons must be of the trades of wireless operator mechanic or wireless operator will no longer apply.
Medical Standard - While the revised medical standards for airmen set forth in AMO A.286/35 are in force, airmen selected for training as air gunners must, in addition to being classified as fit in accordance with para 1454 of KR & ACI, be classified as "fit, grade I" or, "fit grade II (gencra1 service)"
Selection procedure - Except in flying boat squadrons, the following will be substituted for the procedure under which COs normally select airmen for duty as air gunners during the first twelve months of their service in the unit and forward recommendations for courses of instruction from time to time.
Airmen will normally be selected for training as air gunners as follows: -
Tradesmen and aircrafthands trained for special employment (e.g. PTI) - durmg the first year of service after the completion of training (or, for skilled recruits not undergoing trade training, the disciplinary course)
Other aircrafthands - as soon as possible after non-selection for trade training or special employment under the procedure set forth in AMO A.288/34.
Lists of airmen who are recommended for training as air gunners are to be forwarded twice yearly by AOCs at home and should reach the Officer i/c Records by 1st April and 1st October in each year, commencing on 1st April, 1936. In due course all air gunners for units at home and abroad will be trained at the Air Observers' School in the first instance, but for the present the supplementary methods of training prescribed in clauses 8 and 10 of para 508 KR & ACI, may continue to be adopted where necessary, namely, (a) airmen may be selected by COs for training in units to fill air gunner vacancies prior to undergoing a course, and COs, may under certain conditions authorise duty pay, subject to the approval of the Officer i/c Records; (b) airmen serving overseas may be trained locally under arrangements made by the command headquarters concerned.
Training - The air gunners' course of instruction will comprise gunnery subjects only, and its duration will be reduced from eight to four weeks accordingly.
Posting - Except in flying boat squadrons, Air gunners will normally be posted to vacancies as such and the arrangement permitting COs to select which of the air gunners available are to be employed will be allowed to lapse. When reposting becomes necessary, every endeavour will be made to post air gunners to units having vacancies for such airmen, so long as they remain eligible for this employment.
Special provision for flying boat squadrons - COs of flying boat squadrons will select for training as air gunners airmen, irrespective of their trade, who are members of the crew. For squadrons on the home establishment the names of such airmen will be included in the lists of airmen recommended for training at the Air Observers' School, forwarded in accordance with para 12 (ii). Selected airmen in squadrons on the home establishment for whom vacancies on the course are not available and those in squadrons overseas will be trained under local arrangements.
Source - Air Ministry Order A11/1936 dated 16 January 1936, amended by Air Ministry Order A235/1936 dated 8 October 1936 and Air Ministry Order A70/1938 dated 24 February 1938
Provision of Air Gunners in Flying Boat Squadrons
The special operational requirements of flying boat squadrons make it necessary that the air gunners should be drawn from airmen who, by reason of their trade, comprise the crew of the boat. To meet these requirements A11/36 was amended accordingly.
Source - Air Ministry Order A235/1936 dated 8 October 1936
Air Observers - Distinguishing
Badge
It has been decided to introduce a badge for air observers, to be known as the "observers badge," the design of which will follow that of the observer's badge used in the Royal Air Force during the Great War. Particulars as to the availability of this badge will be announced in due course. AMO A11/36 is accordingly further amended as follows -
The following paragraph was added: -
6A. Observer's badge -
An observer's badge will be issued and worn under the same general conditions as apply to the pilot's flying badge. AOCs will, for the present, authorise the wearing of the badge when an airman has : -
passed the air observers' course, (not applicable to ex-full-time air gunners).
served in a squadron as an air observer for at least six months,
completed at least 50 hours flying as air observer, and
been recommended by his CO.
The badge is to be worn on the left of the jacket immediately above the top line of the breast pocket, the 'O' of the badge being vertically above the button. When medal ribbons are worn, the badge will be placed in a similar position in relation to the centre of the top row of ribbons.
Demands for badges to satisfy requirements of entitled
personnel on a scale of two per airman should be forwarded to 'A' Equipment
Unit, Hendon.
Source - Air Ministry Order A347/1937 dated 21 October 1937, amended by AMO A90/1938 dated 10 March 1938.
Paragraph 6D added by AMO98/1938 dated 17 March 1938.
Directly-entered Airman Pilots - Conditions of Service
| 1. | As indicated in para 12, of AMO A129/35, a new class of airman pilots entered directly from civil -life on short engagements has been introduced to assist in meeting the requirements of the Royal Air Force in pilots during the period of expansion. Details are given, below of :the conditions of service of these airmen, whose posting to service units will commence in May 1936. |
| 2. | Age - Directly entered airman pilots are selected from candidates who have attained the age of 17¾ but have not attained the age of 25 years. |
| 3. | Training - Training is carried, out as stated in AMO A135/35 |
| 4. | Period of engagement -The initial engagement is for 4 years' regular service and 6 years in the reserve. Extensions of regular service to 5 years may be permitted at the discretion of the Air Ministry, with a corresponding reduction in the reserve service. |
| 5. |
Rank etc - The rank of direct entered airman pilots is regulated by para 506B of KR & ACL which reads as follows: -
Promotion to the rank of sergeant will take effect from the date of qualification as service pilot and, on the expiry of the period of probation, reports will be forwarded to air or other officers commanding, who will authorise confirmation, if this is recommended, with effect from the date of completing 6 months' service as sergeant. Conformation will then be recorded on casualty forms (Forms 739). Recommendations that confirmation should be deferred or withheld should be forwarded to the Air Ministry for decision, through the usual channels. |
| 6. | Pay and allowances - The initial rate of pay is 5s 0d a day, plus flying instructional pay (2s 0d a day) under the conditions of KR & ACI, para 3458 and, whilst at a civil flying school a consolidated allowance of 6s 0d a day in lieu the normal of the normal allowances appropriate to their rank. On promotion to sergeant, pay at the rate of 11s 6d a day (12s 6d, a day with effect from 12th November, 1936) plus the normal allowances appropriate to that rank, when issuable |
| 7. | Gratuity - Directly entered airman pilots transferred to the reserve after satisfactory completion of their full period of regular service will be paid, in lieu of ordinary service gratuity, a gratuity at the rate of £25 for each completed year of regular service after the first, e.g., an airman transferred to the reserve after completing 4 years' service will be eligible for a gratuity of £75. Gratuity will not be payable to the estate of an airman who dies or is killed during the period of his regular service in the Royal Air Force. |
| 7A. | The provisions of KR & ACI, para. 506, clause 12, will not be applicable to directly-entered airman pilots. Those who are temporarily medically unfit for flying duties will be employed in their units to the best advantage on general station duties. |
| 8. | General - In other respects, directly-entered airman pilots are subject to the same conditions of service as other airmen and airman pilots. They are eligible for consideration for permanent commissions equally with other airman pilots. They will be members of the sergeants' mess but will, not hold any office, or vote at meetings, until confirmed in, rank. During the probationary period they will not exercise the powers of a sergeant, except such as are necessary for the effective performance of flying duties. COs will however arrange for them to obtain experience of other, duties under supervision, with a view to their sharing in the normal administrative and disciplinary work of the unit as soon as they are considered capable of doing so. |
Source - Air Ministry Order A89/1936 dated 23 April 1936., amended by Air Ministry Order A415/1937 dated 16 December 1937.
Provision of Air Gunners (full time)
The Air Council have had under consideration the supply of personnel to fill full-time air gunner posts and have decided that, in view of the small number of these posts which remain on the introduction of the air observer scheme, the special training of personnel for these duties should be discontinued and, as visualised in para. 1 of AMO A196/34, the trade of air gunner will cease to exist as such when the present airmen of that trade revert to their basic trade or leave the service. In future therefore in so far as full-time air gunners are not available, experienced part-time air gunners will be posted to fill these posts in a full-time capacity.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A128/1936 dated 1 June 1936.
Airmen Pilots and Air Observers - Revision of Emoluments
(i) The Air council have decided to introduce uniform scales
of pay for airman pilots and air observers irrespective of the trade group
from which they are drawn. With effect from the date of this order,
the rates of pay admissible will be as follows: -
| Airman pilots (including direct entry airman pilots and reserve airman pilots) - Rates per day | s | d |
| Sergeant (pilot) | 12 | 6 |
| after four years' employment as such. | 13 | 6 |
| Flight sergeant (pilot) | 15 | 0 |
| after four years' employment as such | 15 | 6 |
| Air observer | ||
| Corporal (observer) | 9 | 0 |
| after four years' employment as such | 9 | 6 |
| Sergeant (observer) | 11 | 0 |
| after four years' employment as such. | 11 | 6 |
(ii) With effect from the same date, the issue of air observer's pay and crew pay to air observers will cease.
Airman pilots (group 3) eligible for the pre-1925 scales of pay under para 3447 of KR & ACI will continue to be entitled to the rates laid down in table I of that paragraph. Air observers in group I trades who were remustered as such, or had been selected for training, before the date of this order will be allowed to draw the pay of their rank, plus 1s 6d. a day air observer's and crew pay, if it is more advantageous than the new rates.
Airmen will be remustered to air observer and promoted to the rank of corporal (if below that rank) on posting to a unit for observer's duties. Airman observers below the rank of corporal. already mustered as such will be promoted to the rank of corporal from the date of this order.
Source - Air Ministry Order A263/1936 dated 12 November 1936.
Airman Pilots - Flying Practice after Remustering to Basic Trade
Airmen who are accepted for training as pilots after the date of this order and are subsequently selected for re-engagement, will be required to keep in flying practice until they attain the age of 42 or are promoted to warrant rank, whichever occurs first. it will, however, be within the discretion of an air or other officer commanding, on the recommendation of a CO, to decide at any time that an airman shall no longer be retained in flying practice if evidence that he has ceased to be an efficient pilot is forthcoming. While retained in practice, airmen will be liable for pilot service in emergency
Airmen under training or already trained as pilots (including those who have been remustered to their basic trades), who desire to be retained in flying practice as provided above, may apply to their COs towards the expiration of their present period of liability for such practice. Applications from airmen who have completed this period will only be approved after the airmen have carried out a flying test to the satisfaction of their COs. Eligibility for flying bounty under the present conditions (para. 3461 of KR & ACI) will take effect from the date on which applications are approved by COs.
Attachments to other units for flying practice for the test referred to above will be arranged by commands, for airmen serving in non-flying units.
Decisions regarding the resumption, continuance or discontinuance of flying practice will be promulgated in unit casualty forms.
Source - Air Ministry Order A295/1936 dated 10 December 1936.
Crew Pay and Air Gunners' Pay
It has been decided, with effect from 1st April, 1937, to abolish the restriction of crew pay to airmen of the trades listed in clause 6 of para. 3457, KR & ACI. Subject to para 3 below, airmen of any trade may be appointed to crew vacancies, the maximum number eligible being shown as heretofore in the establishment of each unit.
In the event of a mate or torpedoman qualifying for crew pay or crew pay and air gunners' pay under the provisions of paras 3457 and 3455, KR & ACI, as amended by para. 1 of this order, he may continue to draw, in addition, duty pay as mate or torpedoman while mustered as such.
Airmen in receipt of other forms of duty pay will not be appointed as members of flying crews without prior reference to the Air Ministry.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A121/1937 dated 29 April 1937.
Crew Pay and Air Gunners Pay - Airmen Temporarily taken off Flying Duties
With effect from 17th November, 1936, it has been decided to amend the rules governing the issue of crew pay and air gunners' pay.
Subject to para 3 below, payment of crew pay or crew pay and air gunners' pay, if already in issue, may he continued (except during sickness) to members of regular flying crews of aircraft when temporarily taken off flying duties, provided they continue to fill vacancies in the authorised crew or air gunner establishments of their units and are not replaced on the duties by other airmen.
Payment will in all cases cease after two months' continuous absence from flying, duties and will cease immediately when an airman is sent on a course, the successful passing out from which would involve removal from flying duties.
The present restriction of continuance of crew and air gunners' pay to 14 days during sickness not caused by an airman's own misconduct or negligence will remain in operation and, as at present, no continuance will be allowed during sickness caused by the airman's own misconduct or negligence.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A133/1937 dated 29 April 1937.
Selection of Airman Pilots for Training as Flying Instructors
When airman pilots are recommended for training as flying instructors a pro forma giving the following information is to be used. Units already using a similar form should amend item A(5) and add the new item A(6).
Airman recommended for flying instructor's course under KR & ACI para 506A.
Surname and christian names
Number and ranks
Unit
General particulars
Date of qualification as pilot.
Total flying hours as pilot.
Total flying hours as pilot during 12 months preceding recommendatj0
Whether medically fit for full flying duties.
Whether he has intimated in writing his willingness to accept the of KR & ACI, para 506A, clauses 2 to 4, and para 506, clause ?
Flying assessment.
Remarks of CO.*
Remarks of station commander and order of piority.*
Remarks of group commander (after interview) and order of priority.*
*Note. Remarks should be full, special attention being paid to the airman's ability for employment as a flying instructor (i.e., educational standard, temperament, personality, power to impart knowledge and degree of suitability).
Source - Air Ministry Order A144/1937 dated 13 May 1937.
Airmen employed as Crews of Aircraft
A nominal roll, giving number, rank and trade of airmen forming part of crews of aircraft is to be rendered to the Officer i/c Records by all units. Airmen who are mustered as airmen pilots or air observers are not to be included, and only the names of the regular members of the flying crews should be reported
This information is required in order that such airmen can be specially noted to remain with their units as long as practicable.
The first return is to be rendered as early as possible; thereafter completed returns are to be compiled on 1st September and 1st April of each year and submitted to the Officer i/c Records. Any amendments are to be notified on the last of each month except 31st August and 31st March.
Source - Air Ministry Order A173/1937 dated 3 June 1937.
Provision of Air Observers
Further recommendations of airmen for training as air observers are to be forwarded to the Officer i/c Records immediately on receipt of this order, additional recommendations also being forwarded so as to reach that officer on 1st September 1938. Subsequently, recommendations are to be forwarded quarterly, instead of half-yeariy as hitherto.
The recommendations may, until further notice, include airmen who have completed not less than three, and not more than twelve years' service on the date on which recommendations are due at the Record Office, and may also include airmen of the trades of fitter (aero-engine) and metal rigger. Fitters (aero-engine) and metal riggers who become air observers will not be debarred thereby from undergoing the course for conversion to fitter, grade I.
AMO A11/36 was amended accordingly
Source - Air Ministry Order A166/1938 dated 5 May 1938.
Provision of Air Observers
Paras 2-10 of this order are issued to consolidate the instructiions contained in AMO A11/36 regarding the provision of air observers. A further order will be issued consolidating those portions of AMO A11/36 which deal with the provision of air gunners.
The Air Council have had under consideration the scheme for the selection, training and qualification of air observers set forth in AMOs A196/34 and A54/35 and have decided to make the following modifications, having regard to the greatly increased requirements under the accelerated expansion programme and to the experience which has been gained in selecting and training air observers under this scheme. The modifications are of a temporary character and will be subject to review from time to time.
Conditions of eligibility
The field of selection will be increased by reducing
from four to three year the minimum period of service to be rendered
prior to recommendation for training as air observer, and by rendering
fitters (aero-engine) and metal riggers eligible for selection.
The conditions of eligibility indicated in para 3 of AMO A54/35, as thus
modified, are stated below: -
Airmen to be of the trade of fitter (armourer), wireless operator
mechanic, fitter, grade I, fitter (aero-engine), metal rigger,
instrument maker, armourer, wireless operator or photographer and to be
sergeants, corporals or leading aircraftmen. They must have been
accepted for re-engagement or be considered likely to be suitable, for
re-engagement and have completed not less than three, and not
more than twelve years' service on the date on which
recommendations are due at the Record Office. Part-time air
gunners complying with the above conditions may be recommended, but not
armament or photographic instructors, ex-airman pilots who are being
kept in flying practice in their basic trades, or full-time air gunners
(see, however, para. 7 (ii) of AMO A54/35 as regards the last
mentioned.)
The attention of prospective air observers is drawn to the fact that, while selection for this duty carries no guarantee of re-engagement the selection will be made as far as possible from those who are considered likely to be suitable for re-engagement, and successful service as an observer will be a material factor in determining ultimate selection for re-engagement. Airmen who are recommended for training as air observers or who qualify as such remain eligible for selection for training as pilots. Airmen have completed one year's service as an air observer and have been confirmed as such may, if eligible in other respects be recommended for training as pilots provided they are under the age of twenty eight at the time of commencing flying training and irrespective of the period of service rendered after the completion of trade training.
Educational standard - While it is desirable for the standard specified in para 4 (i) of AMO A54/35 to be adhered to as far as possible, airmen who have not attained that standard may be recommended for the present provided they have passed, or have been exempted under para 453 of KR & ACI from, the educational test for reclassification as lending aircraftmen, and are certified by their CO as otherwise suitable for training as air observer.
Medical standard - While the revised medical standards for airmen set forth in AMO A286/35 are in force, airmen selected for training as air observers must in addition to being classified as fit in accordance with para 1454 of KR & ACI be classified as "fit, grade I" or "fit grade II (general service)".
Method of selection - Lists of airmen recommended for training as observers, accompanied by Form 1739, are to be forwarded by the AOC to the Officer i/c Records on 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October in each year. Each airman recommended by a CO is to be interviewed by an officer not below the rank of group captain, who will record his remarks on the form. Thus the procedure will be similar to that applicable to the recommendation of airmen for training as pilots, and the Air Council desire that all officers concerned will regard its operation as of similar importance. When an airman has been recommended by an AOC for training as an air observer a note to that effect is to be made on his certificate of service (Form 280), the procedure laid down for airman pilots in para 2132, clause 16(c), of KR & ACI being followed.
Observer's badge
An observers badge will be issued and worn under the same general conditions as apply to the pilot's flying badge. The AOC will, for the present, authorise the wearing of the badge when an airman has
passed the air observers' course (not applicable to ex-full-time air gunners),
served in a squadron as air observer for at least six months,
completed at least 50 hours flying as air observer, and
been, recommended by his CO
The badge is to be worn on the left of the jacket immediately above the top line of the breast pocket, the "O" of the half being vertically above the button. When medal ribbons are worn, the badge will be placed in a similar position in relation to the centre of the top row of ribbons.
Demands for badges to satisfy requirements of entitles personnel on a scale of two per airman should be forwarded to 'A' Maintenance Unit, Hendon.
Rank if remustered prematurely - When for any reason an air observer is remustered to his basic trade before completing his normal period of service as air observer, the Officer i/c Records will report the circumstances to the Air Ministry if the retention of the rank of corporal is considered to be unjustified owing to insufficient service or for other reasons: should the Air Ministry decide that the airman shall revert to leading aircraftman, the reversion will at once be promulgated in unit casualty forms and will take effect from the date of promulgation.
Action when medically unfit for flying - When an air observer has been medically unfit for flying duties for a continuous period of at least two months and has not then completed his normal period of service as an air observer, his CO will remuster him to his basic trade, provisionally in the rank held by him as air observer, with effect from the day following the completion of two months' absence from flying duties. If the airman's medical unfitness for flying duties is directly attributable to service and no there is no reasonable probability of his return to flying duties the Air Ministry may decide that remustering shall be post-dated by a period of one month. If and when the airman is again found medically fit for flying duties he will normally be remustered as an air observer from the date no which he reports for duty on posting for flying duties.
Promotion - Airmen not already holding the rank of corporal will be promoted to that rank on posting to a unit for air observer duties. The promotion of air observers beyond the rank of corporal will depend on the occurrence of vacancies in their basic trade, but steps will be taken to ensure that they do not suffer by reason of their half-time employment as tradesmen.
Source - Air Ministry Order A189/1938 dated 26 May 1938.
Extension of Service - Airmen Pilots
The Air Council have decided that the regular service of a limited number of directly-entered airman pilots may be extended to six years (instead of five years as contemplated in para 4 of AMO A89/38), with a corresponding reduction in the reserve service. The gratuity for each additional year of regular service will be £25.
Applications on Form 82 will be forwarded by the CO, in the usual manner to the Officer i/c Records on the completion by the airman concerned of 2½ years service from the date of enlistment (or forthwith, if this period of service has already been completed). Form 82 need not be accompanied by Forms 120, 121 and 125.
Source - Air Ministry Order A189/1938 dated 26 May 1938.
Air Observers under training as Airman Pilots
Air observers placed under training as airman pilots after the date of this order will retain during training their pay as air observers, but since, this contains an element for flying risk, they will not be eligible for flying instructional pay under KR & ACI, para. 3458. KR & ACI will be amended in due course,
Source - Air Ministry Order A234/1938 dated 30 June 1938.
Provision of Air Gunners
Paras 2-9 of this order are issued (in continuation of AMO A189/38) to consolidate and bring up to date the existing instructions regarding the provision of air gunners. Attention is drawn to the following modifications incorporated in this order
Para 6 (i) Exclusion of service policemen.
Para 6(ii) Provision for lists to be rendered quarterly, instead of
half-yearly (commencing on 1st July 1938),
Para 6 (iii) Substitution, for the present, of training in service units,
for training at No 2 Air Armament School and extension to all trades of the
procedure, previously applicable to wireless operators, for selection for
training in units at home.
Pars, 9. Institution of' procedure for qualification at armament training
stations. In view of the provision for such qualification, the
arrangement mentioned in para 3 of AMO A296/37, (under which wireless
operators could be remustered as sir gunners when certified as efficient by
their COs) will no longer operate.
AIR GUNNERS (FULL TIME)
With the introduction of the air observer scheme all full-time air gunner posts have been or are in process of being removed from establishments and as visualised in para 1 of AMO A196/34, the trade of air gunner will cease to exist as such when the present airmen of that trade revert to their basic trade or leave the service.
AIR GUNNERS (PART TIME)
The Air Council have considered the system of providing air gunners, in relation to the air observer scheme and to the requirements consequent on expansion, and have decided to modify it as follows: -
Source of supply - Policy will be directed to securing that, in future (when normality is reached), except in general reconnaissance squadrons equipped with flying boats air' gunners are drawn principally from the personnel of flights and, with the exception of those required to fill wireless operator air gunner posts from airmen in trades not eligible for employment as air observers. For the present, however, airmen of all groups will continue to be eligible for training as air gunners. The provisions of KR & ACI, para 508, clause l, that not more than 75 per cent. of the air gunners in home units may be of trades in groups I -IV and that 50 per cent of the air gunners in twin engined bomber squadrons must be of the trades of wireless operator mechanic or wireless operator will no longer apply.
Medical standard - While the revised medical standards for airmen set forth in AMO A296/35 are in force, airmen selected for training as air gunners must be classified as "fit, grade 1" or "fit, grade II (general service)" and fulfil the conditions of KR & ACI, para 1454.
Selection procedure - Except in general reconnaissance squadrons equipped with flying boats, the following will he substituted for the procedure under which COs normally select airmen for duty as air gunners during the first twelve months of their service in the unit and forward recommendations for courses of instruction from time to time: -
Airmen will normally be selected for training as air gunners as follows: -
Tradesmen and aircrafthands trained for special
employment (eg PTIs) - during the first year of service after
the completion of training (or, for skilled recruits not undergoing
trade training, the disciplinary course). Airmen mustered as
service police will not be eligible for training as air gunner.
Other aircrafthands - as soon as possible after non-selection for
trade training or special employment under the procedure set forth in
para. 391 KR & ACI, clause 1B.
Lists of airmen who are recommended and are medically fit (vide para. 6) for training as air gunner are to be forwarded by COs at home to reach the Officer i/c Records by the January 1st April, 1st July and 1st October in each year. The first return rendered by a CO to the Officer i/o Records should contain the names of all airmen in the unit who are eligible (ie, within the prescribed period of service, medically fit, desirous of and recommended for training); subsequent returns should include only those airmen who have not previously been recommended.
In due course all air gunners for units at home and abroad will be trained at an air observer school in the first instance, but for the present all airmen at home will undergo training in service units, the following procedure being adopted. The Officer i/c Records will select from the lists of recommended airmen the numbers to be trained in each unit and will notify the CO concerned, who will arrange for the training to be given in the unit. Selected airmen serving where training cannot be given will be posted by the Officer i/c Records to units where it can be given, for training and employment as air gunners. On commencing training the airmen will be mustered as "under training as air gunners" and on completion of training they will be mustered as air gunners, if successful, or to their basic trades, if unsuccessful. Such musterings, and the results of the training will invariably be notified in the casualty forms of the units concerned. Airmen serving overseas will be trained locally under arrangements made by the command headquarters concerned.
Posting - Except in general reconnaissance squadrons equipped with flying boats, air gunners will normally be posted to vacancies as such and the arrangement, permitting COs to select which of the air gunners available are to be employed will be allowed to lapse. When reposting becomes necessary, every endeavour will be made to post air gunners to units having vacancies for such airmen, so long as they remain eligible for this employment.
Special provision for general reconnaissance equipped with flying boats - COs of general reconnaissance squadrons equipped with flying boats will select for training as air gunners airmen, irrespective of their trade, who are members of the crew. For squadrons on the home establishment the names of such airmen will be included in the lists of airmen forwarded in accordance with pars 6 (ii).
Qualification of airmen trained in units - Airmen who have been trained in their units as air gunners will be remustered as such when they have undergone successfully the tests prescribed in AP 1112 at an armament training station, under the supervision of the armament staff there. The procedure to be adopted in connection with the testing of airmen at armament training stations is as follows: -
The CO of a unit will forward to his AOC, 14 days before the unit proceeds to an armament training station, Forms 292 (in quintuplicate), completed in accordance with AP 1112, part II, section II, para. 3 (iv), (a) (i) and (b) (i) in respect of each airman who is to be tested
The AOC will forward direct to the armament training station the Forms 292 in respect of those airmen who are considered to have attained the necessary standard.
The armament officer at the armament training station will examine each airman orally, in accordance with AP 1112 part II, section II para 3 (iv) (a) (i) and enter on Form 22 the result of this examination and of the results obtained in the air firing tests; a statement as to the all-round capabilities of the pupil concerned will be included and, in the event of failure to qualify, the desirability of the airman receiving further training or ceasing training will be indicated. The Form 292 Will then be completed by the CO of the armament training station.
(iv) One copy of the completed Form 292 will be retained by the CO of the armament training station, the remaining copies being distributed in accordance with the instructions printed on the form.
Source - Air Ministry Order A242/1938 dated 7 July 1938.
Directly-entered Air Observers - Conditions of Service
A new class of air observer will for a limited period, be entered directly from civil life on short engagement to assist in meeting the largely increased requirements of the Royal Air Force in observers during the next two years, since it will not be possible to meet those requirements from airmen now in the service. The new entrants, who must be of good education, will subsequently be trained as airman pilots, if suitable, but It is emphasised that their entry will not affect adversely the prospects open to serving airmen of becoming air observers or airman pilots. Details are given below of the conditions of service of directly-entered air observers whose posting to service units will commence in February 1939.
Age - These observers will be selected from candidates who have attained the age of eighteen-and-a-half years but have not attained the age of twenty-five years.
Training - Training will consist of three months' instruction in navigation at a civil school, a short disciplinary course at No 1 RAF Depot, Uxbridge, and twelve weeks' instruction in gunnery and bombing at a service observers' school.
Period of engagement. - The initial engagement will be for four years' regular service and six years in the reserve. Extensions of regular service to six years may be permitted at the discretion of the Air Ministry.
Rank, etc -
Directly-entered air observers will be classified as leading aircraftmen while under training. On satisfactory completion of training they will be promoted to corporal but will be strictly on probation until confirmed in rank. They will be eligible for confirmation when they have completed twelve months' satisfactory probation in the rank. While on probation their position will be junior to that of all other corporals but they will take precedence amongst themselves, in accordance with the date of their promotion and their order on the passing-out list. On being confirmed in rank they will take precedence amongst other corporals according to the date of their confirmation. During the probationary period they will not exercise the powers of a corporal, except such as are necessary for the effective performance of observers' duties. COs will, however, arrange for them to obtain experience of other duties under supervision, with a view to their sharing in the normal administrative and disciplinary work of the unit as soon as they are considered capable of doing so.
Should a directly-entered air observer be not recommended for confirmation at the expiration of the probationary period, the Air Ministry will decide whether that period shall be extended or whether he shall be discharged.
Promotion to the rank of corporal will take effect from the date of qualification as observer and, on the expiry of the period of probation, reports will be forwarded to air or other officers commanding, who will authorise confirmation, if this is recommended, with effect from the date of completing twelve months' service as corporal. Confirmation will then be recorded on casualty forms (Form 739). Recommendations that confirmation should be deferred or withheld should be forwarded to the Air Ministry for decision, through the usual channels. The conditions requiring to be fulfilled before confirmation is authorised are stated in paras 6 and 7 of AMO A54/35.
Should a directly-entered. airman pilot or air observer holding the rank of sergeant or corporal respectively be reduced below that rank for any cause he will be discharged.
Pay and allowances - During training pay will be at group II rates and, whilst at a civil flying school, free accommodation and messing will normally be given. Where these are not provided a consolidated allowance of 6s 0d a day in lieu of the normal allowances appropriate to their rank will be paid. On promotion to corporal, pay will be at the rate of 9s 0d. a day (as for corporal air observer) plus the normal allowances appropriate to that rank, when issuable.
Training as pilot -
All suitable directly-entered air observers will, if they so desire, be selected for training as airman pilots and AOCs are to forward to the Air Ministry, on 1st April or 1st October immediately preceding the date of completion of three years' total service, recommendations on Form 494 in respect of those who desire and are considered suitable for such training. Prior to commencing flying training they will be required to extend the regular portion of their service to six years and statements of willingness to exercise such extension are to accompany Form 494.
Should an airman not desire, or not be considered suitable, to undergo flying training, his CO is to forward to the Air Ministry on the appropriate date a statement to that effect, including whether he desires, and is considered suitable for, an extension of regular service to six years for observers' duties; in that event an application on Form 82 is to be attached.
While undergoing flying training, airmen will continue to be paid as observers and will receive a consolidated allowance of 6s 0d a day whilst at a civil flying school in lieu of the normal allowances appropriate to their rank. Flying instructional pay under KR & ACI, para. 3468, will not be issuable. On qualification as service pilots they will be remustered as airman pilots and promoted to the substantive rank of sergeant, and will receive pay at the rate of 12s 6d a day plus the normal allowances appropriate to that rank, when issuable.
Airmen who have qualified as pilots will be eligible for consideration for permanent commissions equally with other airman pilots.
Employment - When not engaged on observers duties, or while temporarily medically unfit for such duties, directly-entered air observers will be employed in their units to the best advantage on general station duties. After qualification as airman pilots they will be similarly employed during periods of temporary medical unfitness for flying duties and the provisions of KR & ACI, para. 506, clause 12, will not apply to them.
Gratuity - On transfer to the reserve after satisfactory completion of the full period of regular service a gratuity will be paid, in lieu of ordinary service gratuity, at the rate of £25 for each completed year of regular service after the first, e.g. an airman. transferred to the reserve after completing four years' service will be eligible for a gratuity of £75. Gratuity will not be payable to the estate of an airman who dies or is killed during the period of his regular service in the Royal Air Force.
General - In all other respect directly-entered air observers will be subject to the same conditions of service as other airmen and air observers (and airman pilots, when qualified as such)
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A253/1938 dated 14 July 1938.
Amended by AMO A335/38 dated 1 September 1938.
Air Observers - Award of Badge and Confirmation as Air Observer
When an airman is awarded an observer's badge, the award to be promulgated in unit casualty forms (Form 739) and recorded on page 4 ("Special qualifications") of the airman's certificate of service (Form 280).
Similar action is to be taken on confirmation as an air observer, the entry on Form 280 being made on page 2 ("Promotions, Reductions and Remusterings").
Source - Air Ministry Order A372/1938 dated 29 September 1938.
Crew Pay and Air Gunners Pay - Airmen undergoing Training as Air Observer
It bas been decided that, with effect from the date of this order, the issue of crew pay and air gunners' pay to an air gunner under training as air observer shall cease to be dependent on the retention of the airman on the air gunner establishment of his parent unit.
Subject to KR & ACI, para 3457, clause 2 (b) payment of crew pay and air gunners' pay may, therefore, be made throughout the course to an air gunner who was in receipt of duty pay, as such, immediately prior to being sent, on the course.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A407/1938 dated 3 November 1938.
Eligibility of Certain Airmen Flying Instructors for Special Gratuities
Consideration has been given to the eligibility (i) for the gratuities issuable under para 3691A of KR & ACI and (ii) for the special gratuities issuable under various expansion schemes, of airmen selected for appointment as flying instructors.
The obligation of airmen selected for appointment as flying instructors to undertake, pursuant to clause (4) of para. 506A of KR & ACI additional regular service and a period of reserve service, will not debar them from undertaking such liabilities, or greater liabilities, under any expansion scheme for which they would otherwise be eligible.
Airmen selected for appointment as flying instructors who have already, pursuant to para 506A of KR & ACL, been required to undertake such additional service may :-
if the liabilities for additional service which they have undertaken are the same as, or greater than liabilities which they could otherwise have undertaken under the conditions of Appendix XXV of KR & ACI of any expansion scheme, be deemed, it otherwise eligible, to have undertaken them under those conditions and allowed to qualify for the appropriate gratuity accordingly.
if the liabilities which they have undertaken are less than those required by any expansion scheme for which they would otherwise have been eligible have the option of undertaking the increased liabilities required by the scheme, and qualifying for gratuity accordingly.
4. In all cases of doubt reference should be made to the Air Ministry.
Source - Air Ministry Order A467/1938 dated 22 December 1938.
Captain of Aircraft
On every flight a "captain of the aircraft" will be detailed by the officer responsible for authorising the flight.
In aircraft which are designed to be controlled by one person only, the pilot will invariably be detailed as "captain of the aircraft."
In aircraft which are fitted with dual controls, or with a single set of controls which may be operated by more than one pilot taking alternate periods of control, a First Pilot, as defined in KR & ACI, para 805 will be detailed as "Captain of the aircraft.' In types of such aircraft which do not carry first and second pilots, e.g. training aircraft, one of the pilots will nevertheless be detailed as captain.
The captain of the aircraft will have charge irrespective of rank over all the occupants of the aircraft in all matters concerning the flying and handling thereof, and will be entirely responsible for the safety of the aircraft both in the air and on the ground or water, until he reports an conclusion of the flight to the officer who issued orders for the flight, or his deputy.
He will be responsible for complying with para 731 of KB & ACI.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A6/1939 dated 12 January 1939.
Amended by AMO A63/39 dated 9 March 1939
Aircraft Crews (other than
Pilots)
I - GENERAL
With a view to providing efficient crews for the aircraft of high performance, long range and heavier armament now coming into service, it has been decided to modify the method of selection and the conditions of service of air observers and air gunners. It will be noted that the measures announced in this order have the effect of placing air observers on broadly the same footing, as regards pay, as airman pilots. The ultimate policy that will be worked to, as soon as practicable, is outlined in Part II of this order and the interim measures during the transitional period in part III.
II - POLICY
Crew employment to be fail-time
Employment as member of an aircraft crew will in future be regarded as full-time employment and airmen for such duties will be provided additionally to the tradesmen establishment of all units concerned. As in the case of airman pilots it will be the duty of COs to ensure that observers and other members of an air crew are given every opportunity to maintain their efficiency in their basic trade.
Personnel for air gunnery duties
Except in the case of general reconnaissance squadrons equipped with flying boats, the distinction between wireless operators (AG) and other air gunners will be abolished and all air gunners will be selected from airmen of the trade of wireless operator entered as boy entrants in accordance with para. 4 below. The present policy under which air gunners in squadrons equipped with flying boats may be selected for training from other trades will remain unchanged.
Entry for training as wireless operator will be open to boys between the ages of 16 and 17¼ and towards the end of their initial course of training a selection will be made of those who are recommended for employment on air crew duties. Those selected for these duties will be given a course in air gunnery on the termination of their initial training as shortly thereafter as possible. They will be employed on normal duties until attaining the age of 18 when, provided they have passed the air gunnery course, they will be remustered as wireless operator (air crew). While so mustered they will be paid at group II rates and except as provided in para 6 will receive air gunner and crew pay in addition, under normal rules. Thereafter they will be employed continuously on crew duties unless they are found unfit for such duties, for medical or other reasons, when they will be remustered as wireless operator and will revert to ground duties.
5. Those who are not selected for air crew duties or who fail to pass the air gunnery course will only be employed on the normal duties of their trade, their future career will be by way of conversion in due course to wireless and electrical mechanic if so selected.
Air observer
After a period of employment on crew duties, normally not less than 3 years, a proportion of wireless operators (air crew) will, if recommended, be selected for training as air observer. On completion of the course (approximately 16 weeks in navigation and bombing) during which they will receive flying instructional pay of 1s 6d a day, under the conditions laid down in para 3458 of KR & ACI, but will cease to draw crew pay and air gunner pay, those successful will be granted the acting rank of sergeant and will be remustered as "acting observer". Those unsuccessful on the course or who are not selected for training will remain on wireless operator (air crew) duties until the termination of their initial engagements.
After 6 months duty as acting observer those recommended will be confirmed in their rank of sergeant and remustered as "observer". They will also be authorised to wear the observer's badge (see para 22). The inclusive rates of pay of observers will be as follows: -
| s | d | |
| Acting sergeant (acting observer) | 9 | 0 |
| Sergeant (observer | 12 | 6 |
| Sergeant (observer) after 4 years employment as such | 13 | 6 |
| Flight sergeant (observer) | 15 | 0 |
| Flight sergeant (observer) after 4 years employment as such | 15 | 6 |
| Warrant officer (observer) | 16 | 6 |
Subject to fitness and to the requirements of the service, an air observer will normally, if desirous and recommended, be allowed, after completing 8 years man service, to re-engage to complete the total 24 years service. His prospects of promotion above the rank of sergeant will be similar to those outlined for boy entrants generally in AMO A195/34.
It is contemplated that a proportion of observer posts shall be filled by commissioned observers and that a limited number of promotions to these shall be made from non-commissioned and warrant officer observers.
III - TRANSITIONAL PERIOD
Pending the full implementing of the policy outlined in part II, the personnel for aircraft crews will be provided as stated below: -
Air Gunners
Existing air gunners other than wireless operators (AG) will continue to be employed in air gunner or air observer posts not requiring wireless operators until such time as they can be replaced by wireless operators (air crew), or air observers.
Existing aircraftman wireless operators (AG) will be invited to volunteer for continuous employment on air duties and, if recommended, will be remustered to wireless operator (air crew). Those not volunteering or not selected will continue to be employed as wireless operators (AG) until they can be replaced by wireless operators (air crew) when they will revert to ordinary wireless operator duties.
Boy entrants under training as wireless operators will be dealt with as laid down in para 4 above except that pending the provision of training facilities those selected for air duties will continue to receive their training in gunnery duties at their units.
Wireless operator (air crew) posts, which cannot during the transitional period be filled from the sources referred to in paras 12 and 13, will be filled by volunteers from wireless operators who are recommended for such employment. For the present, they will continue to be trained as air gunners in their units.
Air Observers
Airmen who commence training on or after the date of this order will serve under the new conditions outlined in paras 6-9.
Existing air observers and airmen under training as air observer (other than directly entered air observers) will be asked to select either
to come under the new conditions of service outlined in pars 6-9 (i.e. for continuous employment as observer), or
to remain under their present conditions whereby they revert to their basic trade on promotion to flight sergeant or on completing 18 years man service.
The option thus exercised will be final and should be made in writing and witnessed by an officer not later than 1st April 1939. The exercise of the option will be promulgated in unit casualty forms and the document itself will be transmitted to the Officer i/c Records. All existing air observers and airmen under training as air observer will become eligible with effect from the date of this order, subject to para 17 below, and irrespective of any option exercised under (i) or (ii) above, for pay at the rates, and subject to the conditions, stated in paras 6 and 7.
17. Airmen who have completed their training will be treated as follows
Corporals who have been confirmed as observers, will be promoted to the rank of sergeant, from the date of this order.
Corporals who have been on probation for 6 months or longer will be given the acting rank of sergeant and, if recommended, may be confirmed in that rank and mustered as observer from a current date.
Corporals who have been on probation for less than 6 months will be given the acting rank of sergeant and on completion of 6 months' service as observer may, if recommended, be confirmed in rank and mustered as observer.
Sergeants who have been on probation for 6 months or longer may, if recommended, be confirmed as observer from a current date, retaining in the meantime their present rate of pay.
Sergeants who have been on probation for less than 6 months may, on completion of 6 months' service as observer and if recommended, be confirmed as observers, retaining in the meantime their present rate of pay.
In selecting air observers, preference will be given to airmen of the trade of wireless operator, but for the time being airmen may be recommended under the conditions already in force, with the modification that the minimum period of service to be rendered prior to recommendation is reduced to 2 years, which must, however, have been man service, rendered subsequent to the completion of trade training. Aircraftmen 1st class may be recommended also provided they have reached the prescribed educational standard. The revised general conditions of service will be as follows -
Re-engagement - While selection for air observer carries no guarantee of re-engagement, the selection will be made as far as possible from those who are considered likely to be suitable for re-engagement and satisfactory service as an observer will normally render an airman eligible for consideration for re-engagement under the conditions of para 8.
Educational standard - While it is desirable that airmen recommended for training as air observer should have passed the higher education teat, part 1(b), in elementary practical mathematics and the properties of matter, or have received instruction from the station education officer, in those subjects up to the standard of the higher education test, airmen who have not attained that standard may be recommended for the present, provided they have passed or have been exempted, under para 453 of KR & ACI, from the educational test for reclassification as leading aircraftman, and are certified by their CO as otherwise suitable for training as air observers.
Method of selection - Lists of airmen recommended for training as observer, accompanied by Form 1739, are to be forwarded by AOCs, to the Officer i/c Records on 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October in each year. Special interim lists of airmen who are recommended for training as observer under the new conditions are to be forwarded by AOCs home formations not later than 11th February 1939. Each airman recommended by a CO is to be interviewed by an officer not below the rank of group captain, who is to record his remarks on the form. Thus the procedure will be similar to that applicable to the recommendation of airmen for training as pilots, and the Air Council desire that all officers concerned shall regard its operation as of similar importance. When an airman has been recommended by an AOC for training as an air observer, a note to that effect is to be made on his certificate of service (Form 280), the procedure laid down for airman pilots in para. 2132, clause 16(c) of KR & ACI being followed.
Observer's badge -
An observer's badge will be issued and worn under the same general conditions as apply to the pilot's flying badge. AOCs will, for the present, authorise the wearing of the badge when an airman has: -
passed the air observers' course (not applicable to ex-full time air gunners),
served in a squadron as air observer for at least 6 months,
completed at least 50 hours flying as air observer, and
been recommended by his CO as the result of operational experience.
Para 22 (i) was amended from the above by AMO A537/40 dated 1 August 1940 as follows: -
An observer's badge will be issued and worn under the same general conditions as apply to the pilot's flying badge. AOCs may authorise the wearing of the badge when an airman has successfully completed the course of instruction at a bombing and gunnery school and has been remustered to acting Observer. Wireless operators (air gunner) or air gunners who, on the authority of the the Air Officer i/c Records, are remustered to acting observer without undergoing a further course of instruction, may be awarded the badge on remustering to acting observer.
The badge is to be worn on the left of the jacket immediately above the top line of the breast pocket, the "O" of the badge being vertically above the button. When medal ribbons are worn, the badge is to be placed in a similar position in relation to the centre of the top row of ribbons.
Demands for badges to satisfy requirements of entitled personnel on a scale of two per airman should be forwarded to "A" Maintenance Unit, Hendon.
Leave - Subject to the exigencies of the service, air observers at home may be allowed 28 days' leave on full pay, which may be increased to a maximum of 56 days a year where the CO considers this necessary to maintain efficiency.
Rank if remustered - When for any reason an air observer, other than one who, having elected alternative (ii) of para 16, completes his normal term of observer service, is remustered to his basic trade, the Officer i/c Records will report the circumstances to the Air Ministry if the retention of the rank of sergeant is considered by the Officer i/c Records to be unjustified on the basis of the service and seniority of the air observer and of the other airmen on the roster to which he would be transferred. Should the Air Ministry decide that the airman is to revert to lower rank, the reversion will at once be promulgated in unit casualty forms and will take effect from the date of promulgation.
Action when medically unfit for flying - When an air observer has been medically unfit for flying duties for a continuous period of 2 months, his CO is to remuster him to his basic trade, in the rank held, by him as air observer, with effect from the day following the completion of 2 months' absence from flying. If the airman's medical unfitness for flying duties is directly attributable to the conditions of service and there is no reasonable probability of his return to flying duties, the Air Ministry may decide that remustering shall be post-dated by a period of one month. If and when the airman is again found medically fit for flying duties, he will normally be remustered as an air observer from the date on which he reports for duty on posting for flying duties.1
Training as airman pilot - Airmen who have completed 2 years' service as air observer and have been confirmed as such may, if eligible in other respects, be recommended for training as pilots, provided they are under the age of twenty-five at the time of commencing flying training and irrespective of the period of service rendered after the completion of trade training. Air observers under training as airman pilots will retain, during training, their pay as air observer, but since this contains an element for flying risk, they will not be eligible for flying instruction pay under para 3458 of KR & ACI or para 5 of this order.
Air Observers (Directly Entered)
To supplement the entry from the service, observers will, as a purely temporary measure, be entered direct from civil life under the conditions stated below.
Age - Observers will be selected from candidates who have attained the age of 17½ years but have not attained the age of 25 years.
Training - Training will consist of 12 weeks' instruction in navigation at a civil school, a short disciplinary course at No 1 RAF Depot, Uxbridge, and 6 weeks' instruction in gunnery and bombing at a service observers' school.
Period of engagement - The initial engagement will be for 4 years' regular service and 6 years in the reserve. Extensions of regular service to seven years may be permitted at the discretion of the Air Ministry.
Rank, etc -
Directly-entered air observers will be classified as leading aircraftsmen while under training. On satisfactory completion. of training they will be appointed to the acting rank of sergeant and will be remustered as acting observer and will be strictly on probation until confirmed in rank. They will normally be eligible for confirmation when they have completed 6 months' satisfactory probation in the rank. While on probation, their position will be junior to that of all other sergeants but they will take precedence amongst themselves in accordance with the date of their promotion and their order on the passing-out list. On being confirmed in rank they will take precedence amongst other sergeants according to the date of their confirmation. During the probationary period they will not exercise the powers of a sergeant, except such as are necessary for the effective performance of observers' duties. COs, will, however, arrange for them to obtain experience of other duties under supervision, with a view to their sharing in the normal administrative and disciplinary work of the unit as soon as they are considered capable of doing so.
Should a directly-entered air observer not be recommended for confirmation at the expiration of the probationary period, the Air Ministry will decide whether that period shall be extended or whether he shall be discharged.
Appointment to the rank of acting sergeant will take effect from the date of qualification as acting observer and, on the expiry of the period of probation, reports will be forwarded to air or other officers commanding, who will, provided the tests prescribed in para 6 of AMO A54/35 have been passed, authorise confirmation, if this is recommended, and remustering to observer, with effect from the date of completing 6 months' service as acting sergeant. Confirmation in rank and remustering will than be promulgated in casualty forms (Form 739). Recommendations that confirmation should be deferred or withheld, should be forwarded through the usual channels to the Air Ministry for decision,
Should a direct entrant who has qualified as an air observer or airman pilot be reduced below the rank of sergeant for any cause he will be discharged.
Pay and allowances - Throughout the period of training, pay will be at group II rates and flying instructional pay at 1s 6d a day will be issued in addition subject to the conditions of para 3458 of KR & ACI. Whilst at a civil flying school free accommodation and messing will normally be given. Where these are not provided a consolidated allowance of 6s 0d a day will be paid in lieu of the normal allowances appropriate to their rank. On appointment to acting sergeant (acting, observer), pay will be at the rate of 9s 0d a day plus the normal allowances appropriate to that rank, when issuable. On confirmation as sergeant (observer), pay will be at the rate of 12s 6d a day.
Training as pilot -
On completion of 3 years' service, a proportion of air observers who are desirous and recommended will be selected for training as airman pilots and AOCs are to forward to the Air Ministry, on 1st April or 1st October immediately preceding the date of completion of 3 years' total service, recommendations on Form 494 in respect of those who desire and are considered suitable for such training. Prior to commencing flying training they will be required to extend the regular portion of their service to 6 years and statements of willingness to execute such extension are to accompany Form 494.
Should an airman not be selected for flying training, his CO is to forward to the Air Ministry on the completion of 3 years service a statement indicating whether he desires, and is considered suitable for an extension of regular service to seven years for observers' duties; in that event an application on Form 82 is to be attached.
While undergoing flying training airmen will continue to be paid at the rate of 12s 6d a day and will, if not given free accommodation and messing, receive a consolidated allowance of 6s 0d a day whilst, at a civil flying school in lieu of the normal allowances appropriate to their rank. Flying instructional pay under KR & ACI, para 3458, or para. 32 above will not be issuable. On qualification as service pilots they will be remustered as airman pilot and will continue to receive pay at the rate of 12s 6d. a day plus the normal allowances appropriate to their rank, when issuable.
Employment - When not engaged on observers' duties, or while temporarily medically unfit for such duties, directly-entered air observers will be employed in their units to the best advantage on general station duties. After qualification as airman pilots they will be similarly employed during periods of temporary medical unfitness for flying duties and the provisions of KR & ACI, para. 506, clause 12, will not apply to them.
Leave - Directly entered air observers may be allowed leave at the rates and under the conditions, stated in para 23.
Observer's badge - A directly-entered air observer will be authorised to wear the observer's badge, subject to the conditions of para 22.
Appointment to commission - Direct entrants who have qualified as observers will be eligible with other air observers (see para 9) for consideration for permanent commissions and airmen who have qualified as pilots will be eligible for consideration with other airman pilots.
Gratuity - On transfer to the reserve after satisfactory completion of the full period of regular service a gratuity will be paid, in lieu of ordinary service gratuity, at the rate of £25 for each completed year of regular service after the first, e.g., an airman transferred to the reserve after completing 4 years' service will be eligible for a gratuity of £75. Gratuity will not be payable to the estate of an airman who dies or is killed during the period of his regular service in the Royal Air Force.
Retaining fee - Subject to compliance with the regulations as to training and service, air observers will receive a retaining fee of £20 a year during reserve service.
General
In all other respects, directly-entered air observers will be subject to the same conditions of service as other airmen and air observers (and airman pilots when qualified as such).
Air observers (direct entry) and air observers (direct entry) under training will, as from the date of this order, be brought under the conditions stated in paras 27-39.
MEDICAL STANDARDS
Members of aircraft crews must be classified as fit in accordance with para 1454 of KR & ACI.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
The following Air Ministry Orders are hereby cancelled -
A189/38, A234/38, A253/38, A335/38 and A407/38.
Source - Air Ministry Order A17/1939 dated 19 January 1939, amended by AMO A201/40 dated 11 April 1940.
1This paragraph was deleted by AMO A651/41 dated 21 August 1941.
AMO A17/39 is further amended as follows: -
Para 12, line 1. After "aircraftman" insert "and corporal"
Insert the following new paragraph: -
"14A. (i) During the transitional
period aircraftman wireless operators (air crew) will, on promotion to corporal,
remain mustered as wireless operators (air crew).
(ii) All corporal wireless operators (air crew), i.e, those promoted while on
crew duties and those who were corporals before electing continuous employment
on crew duties, will be retained supernumerary to the establishment of their
rank against aircraftman vacancies.
(iii) Aircraftman air gunners who are promoted to corporal will also, where
necessary, be retained in their units supernumerary to the establishment of
their rank and trade against aircraftman wireless operator (air crew) vacancies
until they can be replaced by wireless operators (air crew)."
Insert the following new paragraphs: -
"18A. Air gunners who, prior to 10th January 1939, had been trained under unit arrangements as air observers may, subject to the following conditions, be remustered as air observers without further training: -
They must have passed the following qualifying tests: -
Navigation. -
An examination based on the navigation portion of the command annual individual training syllabus.
The navigation of an aircraft with skeleton map on a cross country flight of three hours' duration or, in a coast defence unit, a flight of the same duration over the sea. Demonstration of ability to check drift and determine wind velocity with the instruments provided. Maintenance of a satisfactory log of the flight on Form 441.
Demonstration of ability to swing, test and adjust aircraft compasses.
Photography.
An examination based on the photographic portion of the command individual training syllabus.
Knowledge of service photographic equipment.
Ability to take satisfactory oblique and vertical photographs, pin-points and overlap.
Signals - An examination based on the signals portion of the command individual training syllabus; this must include a knowledge of all methods of signalling used in the air and the principles of all methods of direction finding used in the Royal Air Force.
They must have attained a satisfactory standard of training in the annual tests at an armament training camp.
They must have served satisfactorily as an observer in a squadron and have been recommended by their COs.
"18B. Subject to their satisfying the foregoing qualifying standard, they will, if below the rank of sergeant, be granted the acting rank of sergeant and will be remustered as acting observer. The conditions of service will be those laid down elsewhere in this order for air observers except that confirmation in the rank of sergeant and remustering as air observer will be subject not only to recommendation following the satisfactory completion of the probationary period but to the passing of a suitable trade test in wireless."
(AMO A17/39, as amended by A139/39, A242/39 and A329/39, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A31/1940 dated 18 January 1940.
Award of Observers Badge
It has been decided that for the present AOCs. may authorise the award of the observer's badge under para 817 of KR & ACI, when an airman has: -
passed the air observers course (not applicable to ex-full time air gunners)
been recommended by his CO as the result of operational experience.
(AMO A17/39 as amended by A139/39. A242/39, A329/39, A31/40 and A93/40, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A201/1940 dated 14 April 1940.
Also see AMO A537/40 dated 1 August 1940.
Air Observers and Air Gunners - Award of Distinguishing Badge
AMO A17/39 is further amended, as follows
Para. 22, sub-para. (i), lines 3 and 4. Delete from "will" to "has" and substitute "may authorise the wearing of the badge when an airman has successfully completed the course of instruction at a bombing and gunnery school and has been remustered to acting Observer. Wireless operators (air gunner) or air gunners who, on the authority of the the Air Officer i/c Records, are remustered to acting observer without undergoing a further course of instruction, may be awarded the badge on remustering to acting observer."
Sub-paras. (a) and (d). Delete these sub-paragraphs.
Source - Air Ministry Order A537/1940 dated 1 August 1940.
Airman Pilots - Extension of Flying Service
The following instructions regarding extensions of flying service are issued in substitution for all existing ones; all extensions granted will be subject to the usual conditions and to the airmen being so long required as pilots.
COs of units are to forward forthwith to the Air Ministry, through the Officer i/c Records, a list of all airman pilots on the strength of their units who are due on their existing engagements to remuster to their basic trade on or before 31st December 1939, who are recommended and are willing, to have their flying service extended for a further period of twelve months. COs will be notified in due course by the Officer i/c Records if the extensions recommended have been approved and pending this notification the airmen will be retained on flying duties.
COs are to forward similar lists on 30th September 1939, and until further notice at quarterly intervals thereafter so as to reach the Officer i/c Records on 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December of each year, covering all airman pilots due to remuster to their basic trade in the ensuing six months.
The promotion to warrant officer of flight sergeants who are retained on flying duties will not be prejudiced and if retained on those duties after promotion they will receive a special rate of pay of l6s 6d a day.
Any airman who does not desire his flying service to be extended is to intimate this fact to his CO; the latter is then to effect remustering to basic trade when due and notify the Air Ministry through the usual channels.
Source - Air Ministry Order A178/1939 dated 11 May 1939.
Provision of Aircraft Crews (including Pilots) during War
As from 3rd September 1939, the peace-time arrangements for the selection and training of pilots, observers and wireless operators (air crew) were suspended and the war-time policy was introduced of providing members of aircraft crews, i.e., pilots, observers, wireless operators (air crew) and air gunners by the direct entry of volunteers who enlisted or enlist in the RAF Volunteer Reserve for aircraft crew duties on or after 3rd September 1939, for the duration of the war.
Conditions of entry and training - Candidates must be of good education and must be within the following limits of age: -
| Airman pilots | 18-28 | amended to 18-30 by AMO A803/40, dated 31 October 1940 |
| Air observers | 18-32 | |
| Wireless operators (air crew) | 18-32 | |
| Air gunners | 18-32 |
Before they are accepted they will be interviewed by the Aviation Candidates' Selection Board at one of the Receiving Centres and those found by the Board to be suitable for training as pilots, observers or air gunners will undergo an initial course of ground training during which they will be mustered as aircrafthands, group V, under training aircraft crew and classified aircraftman, 2nd class, receiving pay at the rate of 2s 0da day.
An airman who, on completion of initial training, is selected for training as a pilot will be remustered to group II and reclassified leading aircraftman and will receive pay at the rate of 5s 0d a day, plus flying instructional pay at 2s 0d a while undergoing training. An airman who, on completion of initial training, is selected for training as an observer, will be remustered to group II and reclassified as leading aircraftman and will receive pay at the rate of 5s. day, plus flying instructional pay of 2s 0d a day while undergoing training. Those entered for training as wireless operator (air crew) or selected for training as air gunner will be mustered as aircrafthands, group V, under training wireless operator (air crew) or air gunner and will retain the classification of aircraftman 2nd class, receiving pay at 2s 0d a day.
Pay on completion of training - Airmen who successfully complete the course of training laid down will be remustered and reclassified or promoted as shown in the following table, which also shows the appropriate daily rates of pay: -
| Trade | Rank | Pay |
| Airman pilot | Sergeant | 12s 6d |
| Air observer | Acting sergeant (acting observer) | 9s 0d deleted by AMO A803/40, dated 31 October 1940 |
| Sergeant | 12s 6d | |
| Wireless Operator (group II) (air crew) | LAC | 5s 0d |
| AC1 or | 4s 3d | |
| AC2 According to the percentage of marks obtained on passing out of training. |
3s 6d (minimum) According to classification plus crew and air gunner pay at the rate of 1s 6d a day |
|
| Air gunner (group V) | LAC | 4s 0d |
| AC1 or | 3s 6d | |
| AC2 According to the percentage of marks obtained on passing out of training. |
2s 0d (minimum) According to classification plus crew and air gunner pay at the rate of 1s 6d a day |
*Remustering and confirmation as sergeant (observer) take
place after a period of probation (deleted by AMO A803/40, dated 31 October
1940).
Airmen who enlisted in the pilot, aircraft crew (air observer) and wireless operator/air gunner sections of the RAF Volunteer Reserve on peace attestations will continue while under training to serve under the conditions as regards pay, promotion and mustering laid down for the RAF Volunteer Reserve before mobilisation, when these are more favourable than those stated above or prescribed in orders and regulations applying to the regular air force.
Source - Air Ministry Order A469/1939 dated 9 November 1939, amended by AMO A579/41 dated 31 July 1941.
Distinguishing Badge for Wear by Officers and Airmen Qualified as Air Gunners - Introduction of New Pattern
In recognition of the importance of the air gunner's role in war His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve a new distinguishing badge for wear by officers and airmen who have qualified as air gunners in accordance with requirements notified in Air Ministry Orders from time to time.
The badge consists of the letters "AG" of drab silk surrounded by a laurel wreath of brown silk with an outspread wing 21/8 inches long, mounted on dark blue Melten cloth.
The badge will be worn on the service dress jacket and if no ribbons of orders, decorations or medals are worn, is to be placed immediately above the top line of the left breast pocket, the letters being vertical and directly above the button. When ribbons are worn the badge is to be similarly placed directly above the centre of the row, or top row, of ribbons with a space of ¼ inch between the lowest part of the badge and the upper edge of the ribbons.
Badges, air gunners, for airmen are hereby introduced: -
| Stores Ref | Nomenclature | Detail | Class of Store |
| 22H/402 | Badges - Air gunners | Embroidered |
C |
Demands according to the number of jackets held by airmen entitled to the badge on the basis of one per jacket, are to be submitted to the appropriate maintenance unit.
Badges, arm, air gunners (Stores Ref. 22H/238), are hereby declared obsolescent and are to be withdrawn on issue of the new pattern. Stock's held at units and badges withdrawn from airmen are to be returned to the appropriate maintenance unit.
AP 1086, AP 830, Vol. III, and AP 1358 will be amended accordingly in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A547/1939 dated 31 December 1939.
Air Gunners - Conditions of Service and Award of Distinguishing Badge
In view of the importance of the role played by air gunners in time of war, the Air Council have under consideration measures by which recognition may be given to their increased status. In. addition to the award of the new distinguishing badge referred to in AMO A547/39, the Air Council is reviewing the whole question of status and pay, upon which an announcement will shortly be made.
AOCs will authorise the wearing of the new air gunner's badge when an officer has successfully completed a course of instruction and has been posted to a unit for duty as an air gunner, or when an airman has been remustered to air gunner and employed as such on full-time duty on or subsequent to 3rd September 1939. The foregoing was deleted by AMO A537/1940 dated 1 August 1940 and replaced by - "AOCs may authorise the wearing of the air gunner's badge when an officer has successfully completed the course of instruction at a bombing and gunnery school, and when an airman has both successfully completed the course and has been remustered to air gunner."
The air gunner's badge (Stores Ref. 22H1/238), comprising a winged bullet in gilding metal, introduced by AMO A204/23, has been declared obsolescent, but those airmen who have qualified for the award of that badge under regulations hitherto in force may continue to wear it until further notice.
Upon the award of the new style badge the winged bullet badge will be relinquished, but an officer or airman in possession of the flying badge or observer's badge may continue to wear it in place of the new style air gunner's badge.
Awards will be recorded in unit personnel occurrence reports or, in India, in daily routine orders (part II).
Source - Air Ministry Order A552/1939 dated 28 December 1939.
Officers - Air Gunners
It has been decided to institute a new class of officer in the general duties branch for the performance of air gunnery duties in multi-seater aircraft of long distance operational squadrons. Candidates are required to be not, less than 25 and not more than 52 years of age, but this limitation may be waived at the discretion of the department in the case of exceptionally qualified candidates below the ago of 25. The principal source of supply of these officers other than regular airmen, will be as follows: -
men entered in the RAF Volunteer Reserve for training as air observer.
Direct entrants from civil life.
Retired and non-regular officers, other than pilots who can be spared for this employment.
Men who have been attested as airmen will continue to be paid as such during their initial air gunnery course and on satisfactory completion of training will be appointed to commissions in the general duties branch of the RAFVoluteer Reserve in the rank of pilot officer on probation. Candidates from civil life will be granted commissions as acting pilot officers on probation in the general duties branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve. All commissions a will be tenable for the period of hostilities. On posting to a unit n satisfactory completion of the air gunner's course, acting pilot officers will he regraded as pilot officers. Until further notice, officers will be eligible for confirmation and promotion to flying officer, if recommended., after a year's service as pilot officer, and for promotion to flight lieutenant, if recommended, after a year's service as flying officer, as in the case of commissioned pilots of the general duties branch. As provided in para. 4 of AMO A353/39 these periods are liable to be altered at the discretion of the Air Council in the light of requirements. Officers will not be eligible for promotion beyond the rank of flight lieutenant as air gunners.
Officers of the administrative and special duties or other non-flying branches who volunteer and are accepted for air gunnery duties will be transferred to the general duties branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve in their existing substantive rank, if not higher, than flight lieutenant, and will be eligible for promotion under para 2 above, if of the rank of pilot officer or flying officer. Should the pay of their rank in the general duties branch be lower than the rate appropriate to their substantive, war substantive or temporary rank (or the substantive, war substantive or temporary rank of flight lieutenant, if lower) in their former branch immediately prior to transfer, they will be allowed to retain, the latter rate until pay on the general duties scale becomes more favourable. Any officer of the administrative and special duties or other non-flying branch who fails to complete satisfactorily the air gunnery course will be re-transferred to his former branch.
Recommendations have already been called for by signal and any further applications which may be made should be forwarded to the Air Ministry without delay. AOCs before recommending candidates, are to ensure that they possess the necessary courage, determination and powers of endurance. Preference will be given to those having a knowledge of weapons and some experience of shooting.
A number of regular airmen trained as air gunners have been
appointed to emergency commissions in the general duties branch under
conditions which will be published at an early date,
Source - Air Ministry Order A62/1940 dated 1 February 1940.
The following paragraph was added by AMO A396/40 dated 20 June 1940: -
4A. Officers who are withdrawn from training or employment as air gunners will be dealt with under the provisions of AMO A341/39, as amended by AMO A395/40
Further amended by AMO A873/40 dated 28 November 1940.
Selection of Serving Airmen for Training for Flying Duties
It has been decided to resume the selection of serving airmen for training as airman pilot and air observer, which was temporarily suspended as notified in AMO A392/39 and to modify the procedure for the selection of air gunners. The normal conditions of eligibility, etc., laid down in para 506 of KR & ACI and AMO A17/39 will be suspended and for the period of the war selection will be made under the procedure contained in this order. Airmen of the regular air force, the Auxiliary Air Force and the RAF Volunteer Reserve will be eligible for consideration, but all appointments will be for the duration of the war in the first instance and the continuance of employment as airman pilot or air observer after the termination of hostilities will be determined in the light of the circumstances then obtaining.
Eligibility -
Airman pilots - Aii airmen, irrespective of tale will be eligible for recommendation provided they fulfil the following conditions
Age - Over18 and not over 28 on the date when recommendation is due.
Rank - Not below leading aircraftman
Education - Not below the equivalent of LAC standard,
Service - Not less than six months.
Medical category - A1B.
Air Observers -
Age - Over18 and not over 32 on the date when recommendation is due.
Rank - Not below leading aircraftman
Education - Not below the equivalent of LAC standard,
Service - Not less than six months.
Medical category - A1B - see AMO A532/39.
Trade - Wireless operator or wireless operator (air gunner).
Air Gunners -
Age - Over18 and not over 32 on the date when recommendation is due.
Rank - Not above leading aircraftman
Education ) No specific requirement is prescribed but only men
Service ) of a high standard of intelligence should be recommended
Medical category - A1B - see AMO A532/39.
Trade - Wireless operator (Airmen or other trades (including group V) may, however, also be recommended, if considered exceptionally suitable for training as air gunners.
Selection procedure - COs will submit their recommendations to station commanders on Form 494 (airman pilot) and Form 1739 (air observer and air gunner) revised as in appendices I mid II of ths order. Station commanders will, after personally satisfying themselves as to the eligibility and suitability, insert their remarks on the forms and dispose of them as follows: -
Airmen serving in units at home or in France - Station commanders will forward, so as to reach the air or other officer commanding on 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October in each year, lists of recommended airmen, arranged in order or priority of recommendation, by categories, together with the appropriate forms. The air or other officer commanding will arrange for the airmen whom they consider suitable to attend at one of recruit centres for interview by the Aviation Candidate Selection Board and medical examination, and will forward to the Air Ministry, as soon thereafter as practicable a list of the candidates accepted by the boards, arranged in order of priority, by categories. A copy of the lists will be sent confidentially to the Officer i/o Records.
Airmen serving in units abroad (other than France) - An airman who is considered suitable by the station commander will be examined by a medical board and, if found to be medically fit for the category for which he is recommended, will be interviewed by an officer not below the rank of group captain, who will record his remarks on the appropriate form, which will be forwarded, with a statement of service on Form 200, to the air or other officer commanding. The air or other officer commanding will forward, so as to reach the Air Ministry on 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October in each year, lists of airmen, arranged in order of priority of recommendation, by categories. A copy of the lists will be sent confidentially to the Officer i/c Records.
Final selection and arrangements for training will be made at the Air Ministry, but it must be understood that the withdrawal of airmen for this purpose will be subject to the requirements of the service.
Position of airmen included in AMO N768/39 - The outbreak of hostilities entirely altered the situation as regards the selection of pilots from tradesmen in the service but special consideration will be given to airmen, not already posted for training, included in the lists in AMO N768/39. The names of all such airmen will accordingly be included, if still recommended, in the lists forwarded to the Aviation Candidates Selection Boards under para 3 (i) above or to the Air Ministry under para 3 (ii) and those selected will be posted for training as soon as practicable.
(AMO A392/39 amended.)
 |
 |
Source - Air Ministry Order A93/1940 dated 15 February 1940.
Airman Members of Crews of Aircraft (other than Pilots) - Designation
It has been decided to revise the designation of airman members of aircraft crews (other than pilots) and the designations given in this order will, in future, be used in substitution for those announced in AMO A310/39. which is hereby cancelled.
The designation "(air crew)" will apply generally to all members of the flying crews of an aircraft.
Air observers will be designated "Acting Observer" or "Observer" as appropriate immediately followed (where applicable) by the airmen's trade mustering in brackets, before remustering to air crew duties (e.g. "Acting Observer (wireless operator)").
Airmen other than observers will be designated "Air Gunner" and on so qualifying they will be remustered accordingly, the qualification being entered immediately following the airman's trade mustering (where applicable) (e.g. "Wireless Operator (air gunner)").
The following abbreviated forms of these designations may be used when appropriate.
Acting Observers Act Obs.
Observer Obs.
(Air Gunner) (AG)
(AMO A310/39 amended)
Source - Air Ministry Order A94/1940 dated 15 February 1940.
Airmen Pilots, Air Observers and Air Gunners who have no Basic Trade - Disposal when Temporarily Medically Unit
For the period of the present war all airman pilots, air observers and air gunners who have no basic trader, irrespective of whether their engagements are in the regular air force, the Auxiliary Air Force or the RAF Volunteer Reserve, will, while temporarily medically unfit for flying duties, be employed in their units to the best advantage on general station duties.
The issue of air gunner and crew pay will continue to be subject to the conditions of paras 3455 and 3457 of KR & ACI.
The issue of flying instructional pay to airmen under training as pilot or observer (additional to the pay of their rank and group) will be subject, to the conditions of paras 3458 of KR & ACI.
Airman pilots and air observers who have basic trades will continue to be dealt with as provided in para. 506 (12) of KR & ACI, and para 25 of AMO A17/39 respectively.
Source - Air Ministry Order A108/1940 dated 22 February 1940.
Posting of Air Crew Personnel (other than Pilots)
At present the Air Ministry (D of P) is responsible only for the posting of officer air observer and officer air gunner personnel. With effect from 1st March 1940, the Air Ministry (D. of P.) will, in addition, assume responsibility for the posting of airman air observers, airman air gunners and wireless operator/air gunners, including basic trade airmen filling air gunner vacancies on the authorised establishment who have not yet been remustered as air gunners.
The effect of the above decision is that the Officer i/c Records will retain control of the posting of the above classes of airmen up to the time when they pass out successfully from the bombing and gunnery or air armament schools. Their disposal from these schools and their subsequent posting to air crew vacancies will become the responsibility of the Air Ministry (D of P).
In order that relevant data for the disposal of trained pupils from schools shall be available at the Air Ministry, COs of bombing and gunnery schools and air armament schools are to render, in duplicate, a nominal roll of pupils within seven days of entry to each course to: -
The Under-Secretary of State,
Air Ministry (DP3),
Department (QJ),
London, WC2.
The nominal roll should detail the number, rank, full christian names and surname (in block letters) and trade of each pupil, and should make special mention of any particular types of aircraft for which gunner or observer pupils may be found unsuitable by reason of their height, weight or girth.
Details of airman personnel withdrawn during courses or failing to qualify on completion of courses at bombing and gunnery schools and at air armament schools are to be notified, by signal, by the COs concerned to the Officer i/c Records, for disposal instructions, and to the Air Ministry (D of P) for infornation.
Group headquarters at home are informed that all postings of the air crew personnel detailed in para 1 must, after, successful completion of their training at the above schools, be approvod by the Air Ministry (D of P) before such movements take effect.
The only exception to this regulation is that operational groups may replace casualties, notifying the Air Ministry (D of P) immediately of any such movements authorised.
Monthly returns of non-pilot, air crew personnel should be furnished, in duplicate, by units concerned on Form 449 (adapted) on the first day of each month, commencing on 1st March 1940, to the Mr Ministry (D of P), as directed in Air Ministry letter A51053/40/DP3 dated 22nd January 1940, instead of on the present return rendered to the Officer i/c Records in accordance with KR & ACI, para. 589 (a), which is to be discontinued. An additional copy of the return on Form 449 (adapted) is to be forwarded to the Officer i/c Records.
In order to avoid delay in correspondence on the subject of posting of air observer, wireless operator/air gunner and air gunner personnel, units concerned are to forward all such communications to the address given in para 3 of this order.
Correspondence concerning crew pay and air gunner pay entitlement, etc, is to be addressed to the Officer i/c Records as heretofore.
The instructions in this order do not refer to personnel who are included in the establishments of certain units as aircraft crews and who are carried in aircraft for duty other than as air observers or air gunners.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A121/1940 dated 27 February 1940.
Airman Pilots - Extension of Flying Service during the War
Until further notice, all airmen mustered as airman pilots who have completed their normal period of employment as pilots may continue in flying service, subject to their being medically fit and in all respects suitable therefor.
The quarterly lists of recommendation rendered under para 3 of AMO A178/39 will not be required but airmen should continue to submit applications to their COs for extension of flying service on the anniversary of the date of their remustering, or reversion to airman pilot. COs will forward to the Officer i/c Records, or to the Base Personnel Staff Officer, a certificate in respect of each airman whose flying service is extended, stating that the conditions of para 1 of this order are fulfilled.
Flight sergeants mustered as pilots may, on promotion to temporary warrant officer, elect to remain in flying service and receive the special rate of pay of 16s 6d a day. Those who so elect will sign a certificate to that effect which will be forwarded to the Officer i/c Records, or the Base Personnel Staff Officer.
An airman pilot who desires to revert to his basic trade on the completion of his normal period of flying service or any, extension thereof, is to intimate this fact to his CO who will effect the necessary remustering and notify the Air Ministry through the usual channels, a copy of the notification being sent to the Officer i/c Records, or the Base Personnel Staff Officer.
(AMO A178/39 cancelled.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A135/1940 dated 7 March 1940.
Conditions applicable to Army Officers when serving in the Royal Air Force during the period of the War
Army Council Instruction No 152 of 1940, dated 2nd February 1940, as agreed between the Army Council and the Air Council is reproduced here for the information of all concerned
The object of this scheme is to produce for army co-operation squadrons a number of pilots who are also trained as army officers.
The conditions under which army officers (including Regular, RARO, SRO, TA, TARO, and officers holding emergency commissions) will be employed in the RAF during the period of the war will be as set out in the following paragraphs.
Quota of army officers to be employed with RAF -
50 per cent of the flying posts (excluding adjutant's posts, squadron leader air staff officer, and flight lieutenant corps intelligence officer) in army co-operation squadrons and wings at home, in the field, and in Egypt, up to and including the rank of wing commander will be reserved for army officers employed with the RAF.
Army officers who, become surplus to the 50 per cent. establishment in army co-operation squadrons or who are in need of a rest from operational flying will, at the discretion of the Air Ministry, be posted to other flying employment. Preference will be given firstly, to employment in army co-operation training, secondly, to bomber squadrons, operating with the Army in France and thirdly, to other bomber squadrons.
Qualifications for employment - Officers must have a minimum of 12 months' commissioned service in the Army and must not be above 26 years of age.
They must be proficient in sending and receiving messages in morse code by buzzer and daylight signalling lamp at six words a minute
Regular Army officers whose total commissioned service,
whether regular or otherwise exceeds two years, are not eligible for
employment under this ACI.
Period of service with the RAF - Subject to the provisions of the Pay Warrant, 1931, Article 210, service with the RAF will be for the duration of the war, and will include preliminary training, which will be undergone at RAF flying training schools and the school of army co-operation. Service subsequent to training will, subject to para 3 (ii) above, be in army co-operation squadrons at home, in the field, or in Egypt.
Further employment with the RAF of officers who have already completed an initial period of service will be permitted and will be for the duration of the war.
Army officers employed with the RAF will be held
supernumerary to regimental establishments with effect from the day they
join the RAF.
Rank and Promotion -
On joining officers will be granted temporary commissions as pilot officers in the general duties branch of the RAF and will take rank and command accordingly,
Officers will be promoted to the substantive ranks of flying officer and flight lieutenant, if recommended, after the same period of service in the rank of pilot officer and flying officer respectively, as for RAF officers, i.e., after 12 months' service in each rank. These periods are liable to be altered at the discretion of the Air Council in the light of requirements,
Officers will be considered for further war promotion to temporary and acting rank of squadron leader and above pari passu with officers of the RAF under the conditions laid down in Air Ministry Order A913/40, as amended by by Air Ministry Orders A116/41, 264/41 and A447/41.
Pay and allowances and retired pay -
-
Officers will receive RAF rates of pay and allowances of their substantive RAF rank during their period of service with the RAF. The grant of temporary or acting rank with pay and allowances will be subject to the same conditions as apply to RAF officers.
They will be eligible for the increments of RAF pay in respect of length of service in the RAF as provided for in RAF regulations. Officers whose substantive rate of pay and allowances exceeds the RAF rate on re-employment will retain their army rates of pay and allowances until they become eligible for a higher rate on the RAF scale.
Officers will not be liable or, eligible to be placed on RAF half pay during RAF service.
In the ease of an officer holding a permanent regular commission the period of employment with the RAF will count towards retired pay under the same conditions as if the officer had remained with the Army.
An officer who sustains a disability attributable to his service whilst serving with the RAF will be granted, if more favourable than the disability award for which be would have been eligible as an army officer, the disability award for which he would have been eligible had he only held a temporary commission in the RAF.
Uniform - All officers employed with the RAF on flying duties will wear the service dress uniform of the RAF and will receive from the Air Ministry an allowance of £35 towards the purchase of this uniform. On qualifying as pilots they will be entitled to wear the RAF flying badge on all types of uniform during RAF service.
Medical - Officers must be passed fit for full flying duties by a RAF medial board held in London, Malta, Egypt, Iraq, India or Singapore; officers who are serving abroad in countries other than those stated cannot be examined until they are posted or granted leave to England or to the countries in question.
Travelling expenses -
The regulated expenses incurred by officers in attending for medical examination, joining for duty and rejoining the Army on termination of their RAF employment will be accepted as a charge against public funds (Air Ministry accounts). If an officer joins whilst serving abroad, in cases where the cost of passage of his relief would otherwise fall on him, the charge will be borne by the Air Ministry.
Officers whose service with the RAF is terminated at their own request, may, at the discretion of the Air Council, be held liable for the cost of their own passage, if serving abroad (see similar provision in Allowance Regulations, 1938, paragraph 309 (g).
Conveyance of families, if otherwise entitled to travel at the public expense, will be allowed as follows: -
Officers serving at home - Families may be convoyed at the public expense to a selected place of residence in this country.
Officers serving abroad and granted passage to the United Kingdom - Families will be allowed conveyance to a selected place of residence in this country.
Conveyance of families under (i) and (ii) above at the public expense, in respect of one move only during the war. Families so conveyed before the officer's employment with the RAF will have no further entitlement in this respect.
Termination of service with the RAF - Officer are liable to have their service with the RAF terminated at any time on account: -
permanent medical unfitness for full flying duties,
if not, permanently unfit, completion of maximum full pay sick leave admissible under RAF regulations. The period of will be extended, if necessary, to admit of this.
improbability of their becoming efficient, pilots,
unsatisfactory service.
Applications for service with the RAF - Names of officers volunteering for this service will be forwarded through the usual channels to the War Office, and the recommendations of COs and appropriate formation commanders will be submitted with the applications which must be forwarded irrespective of whether it is considered that an officer can be spared or not. All outstanding applications should be re-submitted in accordance with this procedure. The decision as to whether an individual officer can be spared will rest with the Army Council.
-
Application of the preceding conditions to officers who are serving on their first period of employment with the RAF on the date of this ACI.
All officers undertaking their first tour of duty with the RAF will, so long as they are medically fit to perform flying duties, continue to serve with the RAF for the duration of the war.
Officers will, if recommended, be promoted to the rank of flight lieutenant with an antedate of one year after three years' service with the RAF.
Application of the preceding conditions to officers undertaking a second tour of duty or fulfilling a mobilisation liability with the RAF.
Officers serving in fulfilment of mobilisation
liability need only serve for the balance of their four years'
liability remaining on 1st September 1939; e.g., if an officer
had returned to the Army from his first tour of attachment to
the RAF on 1st September 1936, he would be liable for service
with that force until 1st September 1940.
On completion of the period of liability to serve with the RAF,
officers can choose to return to the Army or alternatively
remain with the RAF for the duration of the war.
Officers serving on their second or subsequent tour of duty with the RAF will continue to serve with that force for the remainder of their two years after which they can choose to return to the Army or alternatively remain with the RAF for the duration of the war.
Officers now serving with the RAF on their
second tour, or under their mobilisation liability, who
completed their first tour after the let September. 1937, will
have their seniority in the rank of flight lieutenant adjusted
so as to allow for the counting of up to one year's service with
the Army between the first and second tours as service with the
RAF for purpose of seniority.
Thus, officers who have served one year with the Army and have
returned to the RAF for a second tour of duty, or have been
called up on mobilisation for a second tour of duty with the
RAF, will receive three years' seniority in the rank of flight
lieutenant.
Officers will be considered for further war promotion to temporary and acting rank of squadron leader and above, pari passu with officers of the RAF under the conditions laid down in Air Ministry Order A913/40, as amended by by Air Ministry Orders A116/41, 264/41 and A447/41.
Candidates for employment with the RAF who have
already applied and been recommended, but who are not yet serving
with the RAF on the date of this ACI.
All applications will be resubmitted in accordance with
paragraph 12 above.
Such of those officers as are required to fill vacancies in the RAF
will serve under the conditions set out in paragraphs 1 to 12 above.
ACIs 222 of 1933 and 141 of 1934 and the provisions of War Office
letter 100/RAF/182 (MS.1 (c) ) dated 1st May 1939, are cancelled.
Attendance of Army Officers Attached to the Royal Air Force at War Staff College Courses Camberley -
Army officers employed, with the RAF will be eligible to attend War Staff courses at Camberley and Minley Manor provided that they are recommended through the appropriate RAF channels, and selected pari passu with other army officers.
Officers who are selected to attend Junior War Staff
Courses will normally be retained in the Army but they may be
re-employed by the RAF if so requested by the Air Ministry and agreed by
the War Office and the individuals concerned before they proceed to the
Staff College. Officers who are re-employed by the RAF will be
employed in staff appointments in Army Co-operation Command or in other
commands or RAF departments co-operating or likely to co-operate at any
time with the Army, or as commander or second in command of a squadron.
Officers who it is intended shall remain with the Army will have their
temporary commissions in the RAF terminated with effect from the day
following their last day of duty with the RAF.
The duplicate AF B199A (officer's record of service) of
officers employed with the RAF will be transferred direct by the Officer
Commanding the unit to the Officer Commanding the RAF unit concerned.
If the RAF unit is not known, this document will be sent to the War
Office for transmission to the Air Ministry.
100/RAF/187 (MT 1), amended by 0144/7601 (MT 4 (d)) and 100/RAF/210 (MS 1 (a)).
Further amended by 100/RAF/1210 (MS1).
With reference to para 8 of the above Army Council Instruction the allowance towards the purchase of RAF uniform will not be issued until officers have successfully completed their training at a service flying training school up to which stage army uniform will be worn.
The necessary amendments to KR & ACI will be promulgated in due course.
(AMOs A274/33, A173/34 and A97/37 cancelled)
AMO A225/41 dated 3 April 1941 announced amendments to AMO A187/40 and added the following instruction: -
"2. COs of RAF units are reminded that all forms AF B199A which they receive under the provisions of the new para 15 to ACI 152 must be transmitted immediately to the Air Ministry (S 7(b) 2)( (Dept Q 1)."
Source - Air Ministry Order A187/1940 dated 4 April 1940, amended by AMO A950/1940 dated 26 December 1940 (43/RAF/599 (MT1).
Futher amnded by AMO A889/41 daed 30 October 1941
Officer Observers
It has been decided to select for appointment to commissions a limited number of qualified observers and suitable war entrants on passing out from the observer training schools. A small number of officers from non-flying branches may also be selected from time to time for employment as officer observers.
Officer observers will serve in the general duties branch and their commissions (unless they held permanent RAF commissions on appointment) will be temporary commissions tenable only for the duration of hostilities. Commissions granted to regular airmen serving on normal engagements will be in the Royal Air Force and those granted to other airmen will be in the RAF Volunteer Reserve.
Appointment will be in the rank of pilot officer with time
promotion, as for pilots, to flying officer, if recommended, after a year's
service as pilot officer and to the rank of flight lieutenant, if
recommended, after a year's service as a flying officer. Promotion
above the rank of flight lieutenant will be according to vacancies within
establishment. Observers with the rank of warrant officer will on
appointment to a commission, be granted the rank of flying officer, as
provided in para 4 of
AMO A353/39 these periods are liable to be altered at the discretion of the
Air Council in the light of requirements.
The terms of service of regular airmen serving on normal engagements, when appointed to commissioned rank as observers, are under consideration and will be embodied in a comprehensive order regarding the grant of commissions to airmen, which will be issued as early as possible. Meanwhile an assurance is given that regular airmen serving on normal peace-time engagement who are commissioned under the present order will be eligible, in common with other commissioned airmen, for consideration for any permanent commissions which may be granted after hostilities are concluded and if not selected for such commissions will have the option of retiring with gratuity or retired pay, as appropriate according to length of service, or of re-enlisting as airmen with appropriate rank and seniority and serving to complete the balance of the period for which they would have been eligible to serve if they had not been granted commissions.
Officers transferred from other branches to the general duties branch as observers will be transferred in their existing substantive rank, if not above flight lieutenant. Should the pay of their rank in the general duties branch be lower than the rate appropriate to their substantive, war substantive or temporary rank (or the substantive, war substantive or temporary rank of flight lieutenant, if lower) in their former branch immediately prior to transfer, they will be allowed to retain the latter rate until pay on the general duties scale becomes more favourable.
Applications from officers of non-flying branches for transfer to observer duties should be forwarded to the Air Ministry, accompanied by the recommendation of the AOC, while recommendations in respect of airmen should be submitted in accordance with para 2 of AMO A88/40. AOCs are to ensure that the recommendations are based on a high standard of selection.
Source - Air Ministry Order A188/1940 dated 4 April 1940, amended by AMO A895/40 dated 5 December 1940.
* This sentence was deleted by AMO 397/40 dated 20 June 1940 and replaced by: -
"5A. Officers who are withdrawn from training or employment as air observers will be dealt with under the provisions of AMO A341/39 as amended by A395/40"
(AMO A188/0, as amended by A270/40, amended.)
Airman Pupils at Service Flying Training Schools - Membership of Officers' Messes
It has been arranged that certain airmen undergoing flying training shall be accommodated in the officers' mess and quarters while they are on the strength of a service flying training school. During this period they will be regarded as affiliated members of the station mess and of officers' messes at stations visited on temporary duty.
When visiting a station off duty they will not be eligible for honorary membership of the station mess they are visiting.
In other respects they will be subject to the provisions of KR & ACI, chapter XX, section 1, with any financial limitations which may be imposed from time to time by the Air Ministry.
Notwithstanding the provisions of KR & ACI, para 1672, clause 1, any such airman will, until further notice, be eligible for election to an appointment on a mess committee or sub-committee when, in the opinion of the CO, the small number of full members of the mess renders this step desirable.
Source - Air Ministry Order A219/1940 dated 18 April 1940.
Issue of Crew Pay and Air Gunner Pay
It has been decided that as from 3rd September 1939, and for the period of the present emergency airmen mustered as air gunner or wireless operator (air gunner) and regularly employed as members of aircraft crews will be eligible to receive crew pay and air gunner pay irrespective of whether they are filling vacancies in authorised establishments. Payment will be continued (i) during ordinary leave and (ii) during periods of sickness, not caused by an airman's own misconduct or negligence, to a maximum of fourteen days.
In addition, the operation of Clause 8 of para 508 of KR & ACI, has been temporarily suspended. Group commanders may, until such time as qualified air gunners are available authorise the issue of duty pay to unqualified airmen who
are performing to duties of air gunner in operational squadrons.
are employed in established crew vacancies and
are recommended by their squadron commanders as being efficient air gunners.
Source - Air Ministry Order A231/1940 dated 25 April 1940.
Airman under Training for Aircraft Crew Duties - Designation
Subject to para 2 below, airmen undergoing training as pilots, observers and air gunners will be designated "Cadets" from the time they as posted to initial training wings until they pass-out from training.
Airmen undergoing training as pilots or observers who are qualified to wear a white armlet under para 3 of AMO A102/40 as amended by A172/40 will be designated "Air Cadets" from the time that they pass to a service flying training school or to a bombing and gunnery school and will continue to be so designated until they pass out from training.
Airmen designated Cadets or Air Cadets under paras 1 and 2 above will continue to be mustered and classified in accordance with existing rules and these designations will have no effect on pay.
Source - Air Ministry Order A273/1940 dated 9 May 1940.
Appointment of Flying Discipline Officers at Operational Stations
It has been decided to appoint as early as possible two flying discipline officers, of the rank of flight lieutenant, to each operational station (excluding flying boat stations and operational training units).
These officers, who will be experienced pilots, are to be responsible, under the station commander, for controlling and enforcing flying discipline.
AOCs-iin-C are to issue detailed instructions as to the exact function these officers are he perform at stations within their commands and as to their standing in relation to the duty pilot.
Source - Air Ministry Order A312/1940 dated 23 May 1940.
Qualifications for Pilots of Aircraft
No officer or airman serving with the Royal Air Force will be permitted to act as pilot of an aircraft unless he fulfils the following conditions: -
He must have qualified for the flying badge under para 811 or para 812 of KR & ACI, or under regulations in force from time to time in the Royal Flying Corps or the Royal Naval Air Service or, in the case of an officer or airman undergoing flying training, must have been ordered to pilot an aircraft in the normal course of training.
He must be medically fit for full or limited flying duties in accordance with the medical standards prescribed by the Air Council, i.e.. he must be classified A1 or A2 (see para 1434 of KR & ACI), subject to the conditions imposed by para 713 of KR & ACI.
He must be certified by his CO, or by an officer deputed by him, to be fully competent to pilot the type of aircraft in which he may be required to fly. This is especially necessary in the case of officers and airmen who are not in regular flying practice or who have recently relinquished non-flying employment.
If an officer, he must be appointed to the general duties branch of the Royal Air Force, the RAF Volunteer Reserve or the Auxiliary Air Force, or to Class A of the RAFO, or, if a medical officer, he must be qualified in accordance with sub-paras (i), (ii) and (iii) above. An officer of the technical branch may also be included in this category provided he is otherwise qualified in accordance with sub-paras (i), (ii) and (iii) above. An officer in a class of the RAFO other than Class A may similarly be included, provided that he is posted for flying duties.
If an airman, he must be mustered as pilot and posted for employment on full flying duties or engaged in flying practice under KR & ACI, para 506, clauses 13, 17 or 17A.
An officer serving in the administrative and special duties branch of the regular Air Force or RAF Volunteer Reserve is not permitted to act as pilot of an aircraft.
This order does not abrogate any flying regulation contained in KR & ACI, or any Air Ministry Order regulating the flying of aircraft.
Source - Air Ministry Order A398/1940 dated 20 June 1940. amended by AMO 168/41 dated 13 March 1941.
Airman Pilots - Retention in Flying Service
The Air Council have decided that all airmen mustered as airmen pilots will continue to be employed on flying duties until further notice.
Airman pilots will not, therefore, be remustered to their basic trades on the completion of their normal period of flying service or any extension thereof, except in the following circumstances
On account of medical unfitness.
On Air Ministry authority: -
for inefficiency or unsuitability.
for special reasons, on the recommendation of AOC.
Should an airman pilot be reduced below the rank of sergeant for any cause, the reasons for the reduction will be reported to the Air Ministry (S7 (f)), together. with a recommendation by the AOC as to whether the airman should be retained on flying duties.
This order is to be brought to the notice of all airman pilots.
(AMO A135/40 cancelled.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A399/1940 dated 20 June 1940.
Wireless Operators (Air Gunner) and Air Gunners - Revised Conditions of Service
It has been decided, as a war-time measure, to improve the status of wireless operators (air gunner) and air gunners, and to introduce uniform scales of pay as shown in, para 3 below.
Promotion to sergeant -
With effect from 27th May 1940, airmen mustered as wireless operator (air gunner) or air gunner who do not already hold the rank of sergeant will be promoted to the rank of temporary sergeant and will take precedence among themselves according to the date of their promotion or classification in their present mustering.
Whilst under training for wireless operator (air gunner) airmen will, as hitherto, be remustered to group II and reclassified on completion of the wireless operator part of their training. Wireless operators and aircrafthands will be remustered to wireless operator (air gunner) or air gunner and promoted to the rank of temporary sergeant on successfully completing the prescribed course of air gunner training. They will take precedence among themselves according to their order on the passing out list.
The promotion of these airmen will be carried out by COs, who are to quote this order as the authority when promulgation is made in personnel occurrence reports.
Pay -
With effect from 27th May 1940, the [daily] rates of pay admissible will be as followed.
| s | d | |
| 7 | 9 | |
| 7 | 0 |
Except as provided in sub-para (iii) below, the issue of air gunner and crew pay to wireless operators (air gunner) and air gunners will cease with effect from the same date.
Wireless operators (air gunner) and air gunners who were remustered as such prior to 27th May 1040, will be allowed to draw the pay of their rank in issue at that date plus air gunner and crew pay, if this is more advantageous than the new consolidated rates.
Air gunners mustered in other trade -
Qualified air gunners mustered in groups I-IV and in sub-trades in group V, who are regularly employed as members of aircraft crews are similarly eligible for promotion to sergeant (not in their trade group, but in the trade of wireless operator (air gunner) or air gunner) and, subject to para 3 (ii) and. (iii) above, to the following [daily] rates of pay
| s | d | |
| Group I and II | 7 | 9 |
| Group III and IV and sub-trades in group V | 7 | 0 |
Subject to para 5 below, qualified air gunners who cease to be employed as such will be remustered to their basic trade and assume the substantive rank they, would normally have held had they not been employed on air gunners duties.
Wireless operators (air gunner) and air gunners who become temporarily medically unfit for air gunner duties will be employed to the 'best' advantage on ground duties, with pay under para. 3 above.
AMO A489/39 (currently unavailable) is amended as follows: -
Para 4, line 2. Delete "reclassified, or"
Table. Delete "Wireless operator (group II) (air drew) " and detail, and "Air gunner (group V) and detail, and substitute: -
Trade Rank Pay s d Wireless operator (air gunner) Sergeant 7 9 Air gunner Sergeant 7 0 (AMO A469/39 amended)
Source - Air Ministry Order A416/1940 dated 27 June 1940.
Selection of Serving Airmen for Training for Air Crew Duties
AMO A93/40 announced that the normal conditions of eligibility, etc, laid down in para 506 of KR & ACI and AMO A17/39 for the selection of serving airmen for training as airman pilot, air observer and air gunner would be suspended and introduced a modified procedure for their selection for the period of the war. This procedure has been reviewed and it has been decided to introduce further modifications, details of which are given in the following paragraphs.
Airmen of the regular Air Force, the Auxiliary Air Force and the RAF Volunteer Reserve will be eligible for recommendations but employment on air crew duties will be for the duration of war. The continuance of air crew employment after the termination of hostilities will be determined in the light of the circumstances then obtaining. Aviation Candidates Selection Boards will give an alternative recommendation wherever possible and while consideration will be given as far, as possible to a candidate's own preference he will be liable to be allocated for training in any of the categories of air crew employment in accordance with service requirements.
Eligibility: -
Airman pilots - Airmen not above the rank of sergeant, irrespective of trade and length of service, will be eligible for recommendation provided they fulfil the following conditions: -
Age - Candidates should have reached their 18th birthday and not have passed their 31st birthday on the date when the recommendation is due.
Education - The minimum necessary standard of elementary mathematics will be assessed by the Presidents of the Aviation Candidates Selection Boards. Those below the minimum standard may be accepted for training, if they satisfy the Aviation Candidates Selection Boards that they can attain the standard by additional study or instruction. For the guidance of interviewing officers and candidates an outline of the required standard is given in the appendix to this order .
Medical category - A1B in accordance with the revised standards circulated to all RAF commands. These new standards are being issued as an amendment to AP 130.
Air Observers - Airmen not above the rank of sergeant, irrespective of trade and length of service, will be eligible provided they fulfil the following conditions: -
Age - Candidates should have reached their 18th birthday and not have passed their 33rd birthday on the date when the recommendation is due.
Education - As for airman pilots at (i) (b) above.
Medical category - A3B in accordance with the revised standards circulated to all RAF commands. These new standards are being issued as an amendment to AP 130.
Air gunners - Airmen not above the rank of sergeant, irrespective of trade and length of service, will be eligible for recommendation provided they fulfil the following conditions: -
Age - Candidates should have reached their 18th birthday and not have passed their 33rd birthday on the date when the recommendation is due.
Education - No specific requirement is prescribed but only men of a high standard of intelligence should be recommended.
Medical category - A3B in accordance with the revised standards circulated to all RAF commands. These new standards are being issued as an amendment to AP 130.
Trade - Wireless operator. (Airmen of other trades (including group V) may be recommended if considered exceptionally suitable for training as an air gunner.)
Selection procedure - COs will submit their recommendations in respect of airmen who have volunteered for air crew duties to station commanders on Form 494 (airman pilot) and Form 1739 (air observer and air gunner). Station commanders will, after personally satisfying themselves, by interview, as to eligibility and suitability (including suitability for commissioned rank), insert their remarks under Section C on the appropriate forms which will be disposed of as follows and will also arrange for the airmen to be medically examined and Form 42 completed.
Airmen serving in units at home -
Station commanders will forward, so as to reach the air or other officer commanding on 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October in each, year, lists of recommended airmen who have been found medically fit, by crew categories, together with the appropriate forms.
The air or other officer commanding will arrange with the CO of the nearest recruit centre for airmen recommended for training, as airman pilot and/or air observer to attend for interview with an Aviation Candidates Selection Board. If the number of candidates in any area makes it more economical, arrangements should be made for the Aviation Candidates Selection Board to visit that area.
Forms 48 should accompany Forms 494, and airmen considered suitable by the Board for training as pilots will be medically boarded.
Aviation Candidates Selection Boards will forward Forms 494 and 1739 in respect of suitable candidates direct to the Air Officer i/c Records and inform the airman's air or other officer commanding of their recommendations.
Forms 1739 for airmen to be trained solely as air gunners will be sent by the air or other officer commanding direct to the Air Officer i/c Redords. These airmen will not be sent for interview by an Aviation Candidates Selection Board.
Airmen serving in units abroad -
If found to be medically fit for the category for which they are recommended they will be interviewed by an officer not below the rank of group captain who will record his remarks on the appropriate forms which will be forwarded to the air or other officer connnanding.
The air or other officer commanding will arrange for airmen recommended for training as pilot to be, medically boarded and will forward, so as to reach the Air Officer i/c Records on 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October in each year, lists of all recommended airmen by categories together with the appropriate forms.
Airmen on loan to the Fleet Air Arm - The procedure
to be adopted for all airmen in the Fleet Air Arm will be as follows: -
Form 42 will be completed by the ship's medical officer. Forms 494 or
1739 will be completed by a naval officer not below the rank of captain in
consultation with the senior RAF officer available, and forwarded through
the Rear Admiral, Naval Air Station, Lee-on-Solent to the Air Officer i/c
Records, Royal Air Force, Ruislip, Middlesex.
Arrangements for posting for training will, be made by the Air Ministry in conjunction with the Air Officer i/c Records but it must be understood that the withdrawal of airmen for this purpose will be subject to the requirements of the service.
Supplementary lists in respect of 1st July recommendations be prepared for airmen now eligible under this order.
Forms 494 and 1739 have been reprinted and may be obtained from the Air Publications and Forms Store.
Airmen selected for training will be remustered and reclassified in accordance with the terms of AMO A469/39, as amended by A416/40, when such a course is to the advantage of the airmen.
Airmen who fail satisfactorily to complete training will revert to their basic trades in the rank or classification which they would have attained had they not been placed under training for air crew duties.
This order is to be brought to the notice of all eligible airmen.
APPENDIX*
To be eligible for selection for training as airman pilot or air observer a serving airman must have reached the standard indicated below in elementary mathematics and in English.
Elementary Mathematics.
The four arithmetical processes; vulgar and decimal fractions; the metric
system; averages; ratios; square root.
The elementary processes of algebra the expression of an arithmetical
generalisation in a formula; the transposition of a formula,, the evaluation of
a formula for numerical values of its variables; simple equations; laws of
indices.
The measurement of angles; properties of the triangle and parallelogram;
right-angled triangles; similar figures.
The graphical solution of a triangle; solution of problems by simple scale
drawings; simple examples of varying magnitudes treated by means of graphs.
English.
Ability to grasp simple instructions given either orally or in writing; ability to write a concise, intelligible account of events within his own experience.
Source - Air Ministry Order A466/1940 dated 11 July 1940, amended by AMO A613/60 (addition of paras 9, 10 and 11), dated 22 August 1940, AMO A874/1940 dated 28 November 1940 and AMO A250/41 dated 10 April 1941.
*APPENDIX (revised by AMO A874/40 dated 28 November 1940)
To be eligible for selection for training as airman pilot or air observer, a
candidate must have reached the standard indicated below in elementary
mathematics, or must be capable of being brought up, to this standard by some
further instruction.
Standard required
The four arithmetical processes; vulgar and decimal fractions;
the metric system; averages; ratios; square root.
The elementary processes of algebra.
The measurement of angles; properties of the triangle and parallelogram, right
angled triangles, similar figures
Solution of problems by simple scale drawings; simple graphs.
Air Observers - Retention in Flying Service
The Air Council have decided that air observers who did not elect for continuous service under para 16 (i) of AMO A17/39, will not be remustered to their basic trades on promotion to flight sergeant or on completion of eighteen years' man service, but will remain on observer duties, except in the following circumstances: -
On account of medical unfitness.
On Air Ministry authority
for inefficiency or unsuitability.
for special reasons, on the recommendation of AOCs
Should an air observer be reduced below the rank of sergeant for any cause, the reasons for the reduction will be reported to the Air Ministry (S7(f)), together with a recommendation by the AOC as to whether the airman should be retained on observer duties.
This order is to be brought to the notice of all air observers.
Source - Air Ministry Order A515/1940 dated 25 July 1940.
Air Observers and Air Gunners - Award of Distinguishing Badge
With reference to AMOs A552/39 and A201/40, it has been decided, as a war measure, to modify the conditions governing the award of the air observers badge and the air gunner's badge as indicated in this order.
Air observers - AOCs may authorise the award of the observer's badge under para 817 of KR & ACI when an airman has successfully completed the course of instruction at a bombing and gunnery school and has been remustered, to acting observer. Acting observers who have not qualified for the badge under AMO A201/40 may be awarded the badge forthwith.
Air gunners - AOCs may authorise the wearing of the air gunner badge when an officer has successfully completed the course of instruction at a bombing and gunnery school, and when an airman has both success fully completed the course and has been remustered to air gunner.
AMO A17/39 and A552/39 were is further amended, see relevant entries.
(AMO A17/39, as amended by A139/39, A242/39, A329/39, A31/40 and A466/40, amended. AMO A562/39 amended. AMO A201/40 cancelled)
Source - Air Ministry Order A537/1940 dated 1 August 1940.
Conditions regarding Promotion to War Substantive Army Rank Applicable to Army Officers when Serving in the Royal Air Force
Army Council Instruction No 579 of 1940, dated 12th June 1940, is reproduced for the information of all, concerned :-
579, Conditions Applicable to Army officers when serving in the Royal Air Force.
Army officers serving with the RAF will be eligible for promotion to war substantive army rank under the same conditions as if they were serving with the Army, their RAF rank reckoning "parri passu" with equivalent army rank. Such promotion will only become operative if they return to army service. The grant of such army war substantive rank will be on probation for three months from the date of rejoining for military duty and will only be confirmed at the end of this period if the officer's services in that rank are satisfactory.
100/RAF/211 (MS2).
Source - Air Ministry Order A570/1940 dated 8 August 1940.
Postings and Promotion of Airman Air Crew Personnel undergoing Disciplinary Punishment while under Training
Airman air crew personnel who are awarded confinement to camp while under training at service flying training schools or bombing and gunnery schools will not be posted from their existing units until such punishment has been completed.
Any promotion to which such airmen would normally be entitled, e.g. under the terms of AMO A416/40, must be held in abeyance pending the completion of the punishment.
Source - Air Ministry Order A638/1940 dated 29 August 1940.
Provision of Aircraft Crews (including Pilots) during War
It has been decided that in future, airmen who successfully complete the course of training for air observers will be remustered to air observer and promoted to the rank of temporary sergeant (if not already holding that rank while under training), and will receive the rate of pay of 12s 6d a day.
Acting sergeants (acting observers), should. be remustered to air observer and promoted to sergeant by COs, with effect from 14th September 1940, and will take precedence among themselves according to the date of their appointment to acting sergeant.
AMO A.469/39 was further amended accordingly.
Source - Air Ministry Order A803/1940 dated 31 October 1940.
Selection of Serving Airmen for Training for Air Crew Duties
The conditions under which serving, airmen may be recommended
for air crew training have been ñtôdified. The modifications specifically relate
to the upper age limit for pilots and the educational and medical standards for
this and other categories. -
MO.' "A.466140 is accordingly further amendeda ' follows -
Para. S. '
Sub-para. (i) (a), line 2. .Deiete "9th" and eubatitvto "31st".
Sub-pare.. (1) M. L)ekte this sub-paragraph ,a44ba$ut :--
(b) EducØws.--The mixumujn necessary stand.rd f elementary mathematics will be
assessed by the Presidents of the Avfation Candidates Selection Boards. Those
below the xninimurn standard may be acceptedfor training, if they satisfy the
Aviation 'Candidates Selection Boards that
attain the standard by additional study or instruction. F'or the guidance of
interviewing officers and candidates an outline of the required standard is
given in the appendix to this order ".
ub-para (i) (c) After "A,B" insert "in accordance with the riise4 standards
circulated to all B.A.F. commands. These new stazi dards are being issued as an
amendment to A P 180"
Sub-pars, (ii) (e) and sub-para. (iii) (c). Delete "see AMO £632/39" and.
ejbstiut4 "in accordance with the revised standards circulated to all Eb.A.P.
commands. These new standards are being issued as an axuend ment to A.P. 13,
Appendix Delets existing appendix and substitute *
"APPENDIX
To be eligible for selection for training as airman pilot or air observer, a
'candidate must have reached the standard indicated below in elementary
mathematIcs, or must be capable of being brought up, to this standard 1w 'ne'
further instruction, . .
Standard required
i.four..arithmetical processes; vulgar and decimal fractions; the ieric' system;
averages; ratios; square root.
The elementary processes of algebra.
Fhe,measurement of angles; properties of the triangle and parallelotram, right
angled triangles, sutular figures
Sob of problems by simple scale drawings; simple graphs."
Source - Air Ministry Order A874/1940 dated 28 November 1940.
Flying Badge, Observer's Badge and Air Gunner's Badge
Under regulations which may be made from time to time by the Air Council, permission to wear the flying badge, observer's badge and air gunner's badges as appropriate may be withdrawn when officers or airmen are, removed from air crew duties.
The withdrawal of such permission will be considered by the Air Ministry in individual cases when removal from air crew duties is deemed to be necessary.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A896/1940 dated 25 December 1940.
Introduction of New Air Crew Category of Radio Operator (Air)
As a temporary measure, it has been decided to introduce a category of air crew, designated radio operator (air).
Except as provided in para 3 below, airmen other than those qualified and mustered in one of the categories of air crew, on passing the prescribed course of instruction, will be remustered to radio operator (air) and promoted to the rank of temporary sergeant with effect, from the date on which they qualified and were posted for duty, provided that the date of remustering will not in any event be prior to 5th Augusi, 1940. They will receive the daily rate of pay of 7s 9d.
Air gunners who qualify as radio operator (air) will be remustered to radio operator (air gunner) with effect from the date on which they qualify, and will receive the daily rate of pay of 7s 9d.
Remustering to radio operator (air) and reversion to former rank and trade on ceasing to be employed as radio operator (air) will be effected by the Air Officer i/c Records on the authority of the Air Ministry.
The Air Ministry (D of P) will be responsible for the posting of personnel remustered to radio operator (air). In this connection attention is directed to AMO A121/40 as regard posting procedure, and the monthly returns on Form 449 of air crew personnel which should, in future, include radio operators (air).
Source - Air Ministry Order A17/1941 dated 9 January 1941.
Transfers of Officers to the General Duties Branch, and Remustering of Airmen to Airman Pilot, for Employment on Non-operational Piloting Duties
Subject to (ii) below, it has been decided to consider applications from suitable officers who have had solo flying experience and who are serving in non-flying branches, for transfer to the general duties branch for piloting duties in non-operational units. Airmen not above the rank of sergeant, in any trade who have had solo flying experience, may also apply to be remustered to airman pilot for employment on non-operational piloting duties.
Applications cannot be considered from officers in the medical, dental and technical branches, or from officers in the administrative and special duties branch who are under training with a view to transfer to the technical branch, as the supply of such specialists is limited and it is essential, in the interests of the air force as a whole, to employ them in posts for which their training and special qualifications fit them.
Officers, other than those specified in sub-para. (ii) above, who cannot immediately be spared from their present duties will, if their applications are provisionally approved, be brought before a medical board and, if found medically fit, be placed on a waiting list.*
* All past applications under AMO A117/41 which have been refused on the ground that it was not practicable to release the officers concerned from their existing duties, and those which have been noted for future consideration, are being reviewed with a view to action similar to that indicated in para 1, sub-para. (iii), being taken.
The age limits are over 31 and under 48, and officers and airmen should have a medical category not lower than A2h Bh. Officers and airmen under the age of 31 may apply provided they are not fit for full flying duties but are categorised no lower than A2h Bh.
The following particulars, accompanied by the recommendation of the AOC, should be furnished to the Air Ministry (S7(c)) in respect of officers and to the Air Ministry (TF1) in respect of airmen
Number, rank and name,
Branch or trade.
Unit
Age
Medical category
Number of hours flown as pilot
Date last flown as a pilot
Types on which proficient and solo hours on each
Civil licences held and dates
Wherever possible information under (vi) should be verified from documents. COs should satisfy themselves that airmen are up to the required educational standard and for this purpose are to consult the education officer, as necessary.
Officers and airmen accepted for flying duties in non-operational units will undergo a refresher or training course as appropriate. On satisfactory completion of the course they will be employed as flying instructors, ferry pilots, for tow target work or in anti-aircraft co-operation units, etc.
OFFICERS
Conditions of acceptance - The conditions governing the acceptance of officers will be as follows: -
Whilst undergoing flying training, officers will retain their existing commissions and receive the pay appropriate to their rank (except any acting rank, which will be withdrawn) and branch.
Transfer to the general duties branch will take effect from the date of qualifying as a pilot (i.e. on satisfactory completion of flying training), when the officer will receive the pay of his rank in the general duties branch as provided in sub-paras. (iii)and (iv) below.
An officer, except as provided in sub-para (iv) below, will be required to relinquish, on transfer, any rank higher than that of pilot officer that he holds. He will be gazetted a having relinquished the higher rank at his own request.
An officer who has previously qualified as a service pilot, will retain any substantive, war substantive or temporary rank he holds provided such rank is not higher than that of flight lieutenant. Such an officer who holds substantive, war substantive or temporary rank higher than that of flight lieutenant will he required on transfer to relinquish such higher rank and to assume the rank of flight lieutenant. Seniority will be from the date of calling up for service on the active list or the date of his promotion to the substantive, war substantive or temporary rank of flight lieutenant if this is later. An officer will be gazetted as having relinquished any higher rank at his own request.
Promotion - Service after transfer to the general duties branch will alone count for time promotion to the ranks of flying officer and flight lieutenant. Until further notice, officers will be eligible for promotion to flying officer, it recommended, after a year's service as pilot officer and for promotion to flight lieutenant, if recommended, after a year's service as flying officer. Officers will be eligible for temporary or acting rank with pay and allowances in accordance with RAF regulations.
Non-effective benefits - If an officer retires, leaves the service or dies serving in the general duties branch, any non-effective benefits payable to, or in respect of, him will be either
those appropriate to his rank and service in the general duties branch (for the purpose of non-effective benefits, service in the non-flying branch will reckon as though it had been rendered in the rank of pilot officer in general duties branch) or
if more favourable, those which would have been payable if he has continued to serve in his original branch in rank held on transfer.
Regular officers - Officers holding permanent or short service commissions will not forfeit any rights to consideration for absorption into their former branches at the end of the war.
General - Officers who are withdrawn from employment as pilots will, if retained in the service, normally revert to ground duties, with appropriate rate of pay, in the rank they held at the date of transfer to the general duties branch. They will, however, at the discretion of the Air Council, continue to be eligible to receive the general duties branch rate of pay (including increments) of the substantive, war substantive, or temporary rank which they held prior to reversion, until such time as, by promotion, the pay of the branch to which they are reverted becomes more favourable, unless they revert at their own request, in which event they will receive, as from the effective date of transfer, the rate of pay appropriate to the branch to which they are transferred.
AIRMEN
The conditions governing the acceptance of airmen will be as follows: -
Whilst undergoing flying training, they will receive pay at the rate appropriate to a leading aircraftman in Group II, if that rate is more favourable than their existing rate, and will receive flying instructional pay.
If it is necessary for them to be accommodated in a sergeants' mess and to associate with sergeants (e.g. when at an instructors' school) airmen not already holding the rank of sergeant will be granted the acting rank of sergeant (unpaid).
On satisfactory completion of training airmen will be remustered to airman pilot, airman pilot (elementary flying instructor) or airman pilot (non-operational), as appropriate, and promoted to the temporary rank of sergeant, if they do not already hold that rank.
Should it become evident during training that an airman is unlikely to attain the standard required as a pilot, he will be withdrawn from flying training, and will revert to his former trade and rank. If recommended as suitable by his CO an airman will, however, be considered for training as a Link Trainer Instructor Group I (see AMO A634/40).
Source - Air Ministry Order A117/1941 dated 20 February 1941, amended by AMO A450/41 dated 19 June 1941 and AMO A630/41 dated 14 August 1941.
Permanent Duty Pilot, Group I - Introduction of New Trade
It has been decided, as a war-time measure, to introduce a new trade of permanent duty pilot, group I.
The responsibilities and duties of the new trade will he as laid down in para 823(5) of KR & ACI.
The new trade is intended for airmen who are permanently employed in establishment posts for duty pilots, and personnel for this trade will be drawn from the following sources: -
Airman pilots and air observers who become permanently medically unfit for flying duties. (Qualified airman pilots and air observers who have already been remustered to their basic trades, and directly entered airman pilots who have been remustered for training in a trade will not be eligible.)
Airmen under training as airman pilot and air observers who have carried out not less than a total of 70 hours flying, and who, through no fault of their own, are unable to complete their flying training and are not selected for other air crew duties.
Subject to para 506, clause 12 of KR & ACI, airmen selected under para.3(i) above will normally be remustered to permanent duty pilot, group I, in their existing rank, with effect from the date on which they are posted for duty. Those selected under para 3(ii) above, will be remustered for training as duty pilot in their existing rank and trade group. On the satisfactory completion of the prescribed course of instruction they will be remustered to permanent duty pilot, group I, and promoted to the rank of temporary sergeant.
Recommendations should he forwarded by AOCs to the Air Ministry (DPS) and should include the following details of service: -
Number
Rank
Name
Unit
Date of remustering to airman pilot or air observer. If under training
as airman pilot, date of commencement of flying training.
Types of aircraft on which an airman pilot is proficient and number of hours
flown (a) as pilot, (b) dual instruction, on each type. For an air
observer the number of flying hours should be stated.
Basic trade (if any).
Medical assessment and date.
Remustering is not in any circumstances to be effected without prior Air
Ministry approval.
Airman pilots and air observers who are temporarily medically unfit may similarly be recommended for temporary employment as duty pilot. They will not, however, be remustered to the new trade unless required to remuster under para 506, clause 12 of KR & ACI.
Source - Air Ministry Order A188/1941 dated 20 March 1941, amended by AMO A365/41 dated 22 May 1941 and AMO A894/41 dated 30 October 1941.
Airmen under Training Wireless Operator (Air Gunner) or Air Gunner - Reclassification on Commencing Flying Training and Grant of Flying Instructional Pay
In future, airmen under training as wireless operator (air gunner) or air gunner, will be reclassified leading aircraftman in group II or group V, respectively, for the purpose of pay, with effect from the date on which hey commence actual flying training at a bombing and gunnery school, and will be eligible for flying instructional pay at the rate of 1s 0d. a day under the general conditions of para 3458 of KR & ACI.
1A. When to their advantage, airmen with basic trades in groups I and II will be reclassified to leading aircraftman in group II, and airmen with basic trades in other groups will be reclassified to leading aircraftman in group V, for the purpose of pay, when under training as air gunner, and will receive flying instructional pay as indicated in para 1 above.*
Airmen now undergoing air gunner training will be reclassified to leading aircraftman and entitled to flying instructional pay with effect from the date of this order.
Para 3 of AMO A.469/39 is further amended as follows: -
Delete the last sentence and substitute: -
"Those entering for training as wireless operator (air gunner) will be mustered as aircrafthands, group V, for training as wireless operator (air gunner) until completion of their training as wireless operator, when they will be remustered to wireless operator, group II in the classification attained. On commencing actual flying training at a bombing and gunnery school, they will be reclassified leading aircraftman for the purpose of pay, and will receive flying instructional pay at the rate of 1s 0d a day, under the general conditions of para 3458 of KR & ACI. Airmen selected for training as air gunner will similarly be eligible for reclassification to leading aircraftman, but in group V, and for flying instructional pay on commencing training at a bombing and gunnery school."
AMO A466/40, as amended by A.613140, is further amended as follows: -
Para 9, line 2. Delete "AMO A416/40" and substitute "AMOs A416/40, A803/40 and A189/41."
(AMO A469/39, as amended by A416/40 and A803/40 amended, AMO A166/40, as amended by A673/40, and A874/40, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A189/1941 dated 20 March 1941, amended by AMO A984/41 dated 20 November 1941.
*added by AMO A984/41 dated 20 November 1941.
Provision of Flight Engineers for certain Types of Heavy Bomber and Flying Boat Aircraft
In the establishment of certain types of heavy bomber and flying boat squadrons provision is made for a post of flight engineer. The duties and responsibilities of flight engineers, and the method of selection and training of airmen to qualify are as detailed in the following paragraphs.
Duties -
To operate certain controls at the engineer's station and watch appropriate gauges as indicated in the relevant air publications.
To advise the captain of the aircraft as to the functioning of the engines, and the fuel, oil and cooling systems, both before and during flight.
To ensure effective liaison between the captain of the aircraft and the maintenance staff, by communicating to the latter such technical notes regarding the performance of the aircraft in flight as may be required.
To carry out practicable emergency repairs during flight.
To act as stand-by gunner.
Eligibility - Flight engineers will be selected from airmen mustered as fitter I, fitter II, fitter II (engine) and fitter (aero-engine), including airmen already mustered as air gunners who have the necessary trade qualifications. The rank of the posts will be that of sergeant, but selection will be open to suitably qualified corporals, and LACs with exceptional qualifications may also be considered.
Medical standard - Selected airmen will require to be category A3B and arrangements should be made for their medical examination at their stations. Forms 42 are to be completed accordingly.
Age limits - No specific age limits are laid down and provided airmen are eligible under paras 3 and 4 above, they may be recommended for training.
Training - Airmen will be required to undergo courses as follows: -
A three weeks' course of air gunnery training at a bombing and gunnery school, followed by
Short courses of training at manufacturers' works.
On satisfactory completion of these courses, operational training will be undertaken.
On the satisfactory completion of the prescribed courses of training mentioned in para. 5 (i) and (ii) above, airmen will be remustered to flight engineer, awarded the air gunners' badge and, where necessary, promoted to temporary sergeants in their trades on the authority of the Air Officer i/c Records.
While undergoing the course at a bombing and gunnery school, airmen will receive flying instructional pay at the rate of 1s.0d a day, under the general conditions of para 3458 of KR & ACI, and, on posting for duty as flight engineer, they will be entitled to air gunner and crew pay under the provisions of paras. 3455 and 3457 of KR & ACI. They will also remain on their trade roster for promotion.
Flight engineers, while appearing as such in establishment, will normally be designated by their trade mustering followed by flight engineer in brackets, e.g., fitter I (flight engineer) - this may be abbreviated to fitter I (FE).
The Air Officer i/c Records will be responsible for the posting of flight engineers.
The names of volunteers who have the requisite qualifications and who can be recommended, are to be forwarded by COs to the Air Officer i/c Records. In making recommendations, COs should be satisfied that, besides possessing the necessary qualifications, airmen are of a type suitable to discharge the duties of air gunner. Following the initial recommendations, further lists will continue to be forwarded by COs to the Air Officer i/c Records on 1st July and 1st October, 1941, and, thereafter, on 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October in each year.
The mustering of airmen now undergoing training as flight engineers but who do not possess the qualifications laid down in para 3 above, will, exceptionally, be considered. Their names and particulars should be forwarded by COs to the Air Officer i/c Records, who will transmit this information, with his recommendations, to the Air Ministry (P3).
Source - Air Ministry Order A190/1941 dated 20 March 1941, amended by AMO A300/41 dated 1 May 1941 and AMO A388/41 dated 29 May 1941.
Flying instructors' Categories
The award of pro-war Central Flying School categories has
been placed in abeyance, with effect from 7th June 1940,
These categories were as follows: -
A1 Exceptionally good instructor, who has demonstrated by practical work his suitability for the highest category.
A2 A very good
instructor.
B A capable instructor.
C Has the makings of an instructor with practice.
As a temporary measure, owing to the inability of the Central Flying School staff to undertake the work of re-categorisation tests, pupil instructors who pass flying instructors' courses are awarded the categories shown below: -
| Q | Qualified to instruct on elementary, SE and ME aircraft. |
| Q (ME) | Qualified to instruct on elementary and ME aircraft. |
| Q (SE) | Qualified to instruct on elementary and SE aircraft. |
| Q (elementary) | Qualified to instruct on elementary type trainers only. |
| C (ME) | Permitted to instruct on elementary and ME aircraft under supervision. |
| C (SE) | Permitted to instruct on elementary and SE aircraft under supervision. |
| C (elementary) | Permitted to instruct under supervision on elementary type trainers only. |
An instructor who holds Q (ME) category may be employed as
an instructor on single-engined types of aircraft, providing he has flown
that particular single-engined type ten hours by day and two hours by night
immediately prior to commencing instructional duties on that type. The
same rule applies to an instructor, who holds Q (SE) category and is
required to instruct on multi-engined types. In cases of this nature
the chief flying instructor of the unit concerned must authorise the grant
of Q category and endorse the instructor's flying log book to the effect,
that this category has been awarded.
An instructor, who holds C (ME) or C (SE) category, should not normally be employed on the other type of aircraft until he has satisfied his chief flying instructor that he is fit for the award of Q (SE) or Q (ME). The rule laid down in para 3 above that an instructor should have flown ten hours by day and two by night on the type on which it is intended to employ him applies equally to this case.
Instructors holding any type of C category are to be employed on instructional duties for three months, at the end of which period they will be tested by the Chief Flying Instructor, Central Flying School, who will either upgrade them to Q (ME), Q (SE) or Q (elementary) as applicable, or suspend them from flying instructional duties. In cases where a C category instructor is obviously unfit to continue instructing before his three months' probationary period is finished, the chief flying instructor will recommend that the Chief Flying Instructor, Central Flying School, tests the instructor at once, with a view to suspension.
Source - Air Ministry Order A195/1941 dated 20 March 1941.
Transfer of Army Personnel serving at Home to the Royal Air Force for Air Crew Duties
Army Council Instruction No 1520 of 1940, dated 9th December 1940, as agreed between the Army Council and the Air Council, is reproduced below for the information of all concerned.
Recommendations of army officers, entered under the scheme, for commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve will be submitted to the Air Ministry (S7 (f)) three weeks before the termination of the course of instruction at the service flying training school or the bombing and gunnery school, or three weeks before reaching the equivalent stage of training, if training is given otherwise than at one of these schools.
Recommendations for commissions of airmen transferred from the army will be submitted to the Air Ministry (S7 (f ) ) in accordance with the standing procedure under which a proportion of pupils are granted commissions immediately on completion of training. Ex-army airmen will also be eligible to be recommended for commissions after they have had operational experience.
Ex-army airmen on normal regular engagements will be commissioned in the Royal Air Force. Army officers transferred under this arrangement and ex-army airmen not on normal regular engagements will be commissioned in the RAF Volunteer Reserve.
If under the terms of pares 4 (a) (ii), 4 (b) (iii) and (iv)
and 5 of the Army Council Instruction, an officer or airmen is found to be
unsuitable for air crew duties, the AOC concerned will forward a report on
the case to the Air Ministry (S7(a)) for officers and to the Air Ministry
(S10 (b)) for airmen, when arrangements for their return to the army will be
made.
1520. Transfer to the Royal Air Force for Air Crew Duties from the Army at Home
Owing to the great expansion of the RAF, a large number of air crew personnel are required and arrangements have accordingly been made for officers other than those holding permanent regular commissions and other ranks up to and including the rank of serjeant other than tradesmen in receipt of pay for trades in Groups A, B or C to apply for such training with a view to their employment in the RAF.
Officers are needed for training as pilots and air observers, and other ranks for training as pilots, air observers and wireless operator/air gunners.
The necessary qualifications required by applicants are as follows: -
General - The desire to fly and fight in the air, which demands intelligence, initiative, courage and determination.
Educational - No preliminary test of educational standard is required of candidates. For pilot and air observer duties a minimum necessary standard of elementary mathematics will be assessed by the Presidents of the Aviation Candidates Selection Boards. Those below this minimum standard may be accepted if they satisfy the Aviation Candidates Selection Boards that they can attain the standard by additional study or instruction. Candidates for wireless operator/air gunner do not require a knowledge of mathematics but must have the capacity to absorb the special type of training of this trade.
Age limits -
Pilot 18 years to 31 years.
Air Observer - 18 years to 33 years.
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner - 18 years to 33 years.
Medical - Grade I or Grade IIA (feet) medical category as assessed by the Ministry of Labour and National Services. Candidates will be required to pass a further medical examination at the Selection Board stage to determine their fitness for employment as air crew.
The following personnel if eligible under para 3 above may apply for interview and, if they are accepted, the conditions oft their employment with the RAF will be as stated below.
(a) Officers, other than officers holding permanent regular commissions up to and including the rank of substantive or war substantive lieutenant.
During training they will retain their army substantive or war substantive rank and will continue to receive the pay and allowances appropriate to that rank. Any temporary or acting rank held will be withdrawn at the beginning of training. They will be attached to the RAF during the period of training, and on qualifying will be appointed to a commission for the duration of the war in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in the rank of pilot officer in the General Duties Branch with the pay of that rank and will relinquish their army commissions. This relinquishment will not debar such officers from being considered for the grant of permanent commissions in the Regular Army if such commissions are made available, provided that their army and air force service has been satisfactory.
Officers found unsuitable during training as pilots will, if suitable, be placed under training as air observer. If they are also found unsuitable for training in the latter category they will be returned to military duty in the Army, in the substantive or war substantive rank they held on attachment to the RAF.
Until further notice, officers will be eligible for promotion to flying officer, if recommended, after a year's service, as pilot officer and for promotion to flight lieutenant, if recommended, after a year's service as flying officer. These periods are liable to be altered at the discretion of the Air Council in the light of requirements. Promotion to the acting rank of flight lieutenant and to ranks above flight lieutenant, will be made to fill establishment vacancies in accordance with RAF regulations.
Other ranks
Regulars and non-regulars, other than tradesmen in Groups A, B or C, up to and including the rank of serjeant. They will be transferred to the RAF under the general conditions of ACT 399 of 1940, and will be given rank in the RAF corresponding to their army substantive or war substantive rank and will receive the pay appropriate to that rank in Group V unless and until the RAF rate of pay (as shown in Appendix B) payable at the stage of training arrived at is more favourable. Any acting rank held will be relinquished: on transfer to the RAF. On qualifying, they will be given the rank of serjeant with the RAF pay of that rink in their appropriate air crew category.
Airmen members of air crews are eligible for selection for advancement to commissions in accordance with RAF regulations.
Other ranks found unsuitable during training as pilot will, if suitable, be placed under training as air observer or wireless operator (air gunner) or if under training as air observer, as wireless operator (air gunner).
Other ranks who at any stage of training are found to be unsuitable for employment in any air crew category will be re-transferred to the Army in the substantive or war substantive rank held by them at the date of transfer to the RAF and may also be so re-transferred to the Army if found unsuitable for such employment after training. In view of this condition other rank candidates will be required to sign the form of consent, as shown in Appendix A, para. H, below.
A soldier serving on a normal regular engagement who is transferred to the RAF under the terms of this ACI will have the right to be re-transferred to his original, regiment or corps at the end of the war. The names of such personnel will he maintained on the hypothetical roster as provided by ACIs 590 of 1939 and 296 of 1940. Personnel selected for advancement to commissions under para 4(b) (ii) will be dealt with in accordance with King's Regulations, 1940, Appendix XXVI, para 7 . If before the end of the war a regular soldier is withdrawn finally from employment on flying duties for any reasons, he will normally be re-transferred to the Army in the substantive or war substantive rank held by him at the date of transfer to the RAF. In either case, his period of service in the RAF will be treated for pension purposes as army service under the normal rules as if he had continued to serve in the Army. Applicants should apply for interview on a form as shown in Appendix A.
Rates of pay, etc., are as set out in Appendix B which will be read in conjunction with para. 4(b) above.
The procedure to be followed in dealing with applications is detailed at Appendix C.
This ACI does not affect in any respect the conditions of ACIs 152 and 459 of 1940 regarding the provision of army officers as pilots to Army Co-operation Squadrons.
The attention of all ranks will be drawn to the existence of this ACI by an appropriate notice in unit orders which will be repeated weekly for the three weeks following its receipt.
112/General/4759 (AG 1(d)).
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APPENDIX B
A - PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF PERSONNEL TRANSFERRED TO THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
Officers -
(i) Pay. The rates of pay are those for officers of the General Duties Branch of the RAF The rates for junior ranks at present are: -
Rank Daily £ s d Pilot Officer 14 6 Flying Officer 18 2 Flight Lieutenant 1 1 9 after 2 years 1 3 6 after 4 years 1 5 4 Squadron Leader 1 10 10 after 2 years 1 11 8 after 4 years 1 12 6 after 6 years 1 13 4 after 8 years 1 14 2 (ii) Allowances. Allowances for families are payable in the RAF under broadly the same conditions as in the Army.
(iii) Uniform. Allowance. A uniform allowance of £35 will be paid to officers who have not held an air force commission during the year preceding the date of appointment to the new commission.
Other ranks -
The relative ranks and present rates of pay are as follows (see also para. 4 (b) of this ACI).
| Army | RAF | Group V pay | |
| s | d | ||
| Private | Aircraftman, 2nd class | 2 | 0 |
| after 1 year | " | 2 | 9 |
| 2 years | " | 3 | 0 |
| Corporal | Corporal | 4 | 6 |
| after 4 years as such |
" |
5 | 0 |
| Serjeant | Sergeant | 6 | 0 |
| after 4 years as such |
" |
6 | 6 |
Pilot trainees. During initial ground training - pay as in sub-para. (i) above.
On proceeding for training to a flying training school, an aircraftman 2nd Class will be reclassified leading aircraftman and placed in Group II with pay at 5s 0d a day. Corporals and sergeants will receive the rates of pay shown in sub-para. (i) subject to it minimum of 5s 0d a day. In all cases, flying instructional pay at 2s. 0d a day will be payable in addition.
On qualifying as pilot - 12s. 6d a day with rank of sergeant.
Air Observer trainees. During initial ground training - pay as in sub-para. (i) above.
On proceeding for training to an air observer navigation school an aircraftman, 2nd Class, will be re-classified leading aircraftman, and placed in Group II with pay at 5s 0d a day. Corporals and sergeants will receive the rates of pay shown in sub-para. (i) subject to it minimum of 5s 0d a day. In all cases, flying instructional pay at 1s 6d a day will be payable in addition.
On qualifying as air obsorvor - 12s 6d a day with rank of sergeant.
Wireless operator (air gunner) trainees. Until completion of training as wireless operator - pay as in sub-para. (i) above,
During training in air gunnery, an AC2 will be re-mustered to wireless operator (Group II) as AC2, AC1, or LAC, according to the percentage of marks obtained on passing out of wireless training, and will be paid, as follows
| s | d | |
| Aircraftman, 2nd class | 3 | 6 |
|
Aircraftman, 1st class |
3 | 3 |
|
Leading Aircraftman |
5 | 0 |
Corporals and sergeants will retain their existing rates of pay as shown in sub-para. (i) above except that a corporal in receipt of pay at the rate of 4s 6d a day will, if on passing out he reaches the standard necessary to qualify as leading aircraftman, receive pay at the rate of 5s a day.
On qualifying as wireless operator (air gunner), 7s 9d. a day with rank of sergeant.
Notes - War pay at 6d a day will be issued in addition to the above rates.
Good conduct badges are awarded for very good conduct after 3, 8 and 13 years' total qualifying service in the Army and the RAF. Good conduct pay of 3d a day is awarded for each badge.
Allowances, Allowances for families and dependents are payable in the RAF under broadly the same conditions as in the Army.
B - NON-EFFECTIVE BENEFITS OF PERSONNEL TRANSFERRED TO THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
Officers. If a temporary or non-regular officer leaves the Service or dies while serving in the General Duties Branch of the RAF, any non-effective benefits payable to or in respect of him will be either: -
those appropriate to his rank in the General Duties Branch, or
(if more favourable) those which would, have been payable if he had remained in the Army, and continued to serve in the substantive or war substantive rank held in the Army at the time of his transfer.
Other ranks. If a man is discharged from the RAF (otherwise than on return to the Army) or dies, any non-effective benefits payable to or to respect of him will be either: -
those payable to or in respect of him as an airman, his period of service in the Army being treated for pension purposes as RAF service under the normal rules, or
(if more favourable) those which would have been
payable if he had remained in the Army and had continued to serve in
the substantive or war substantive rank held in the Army at the time
of his transfer.
APPENDIX C
ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
On completion of the form as at Appendix A, OCs units will forward weekly in bulk all applications received to the headquarters of commands and in the case of Northern Ireland to the Headquarters, British Troops in Ireland. The GOCs-in-C. Commands and the GOC British Troops in Ireland may withhold the forms of any individual whom they consider operationally vital to the unit, and such cases will be forwarded by commands to the War Office (AG 1(D)), Temporary Office Buildings, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, for decision whether the application may be considered. Such claims for exemption from preliminary interview will, however, be strictly limited. All other forms will be forwarded by commands without delay to the President of the Aviation Candidates Selection Board nearest the candidate's unit as follows: -
| Aldershot Command | Oxford (for Travelling Board). |
| Eastern Command - | |
| (a) East Anglian Area | Cardington. |
| (b) Other Areas | Euston. |
| Northern Command - | |
| (a) Northumbrian Area | Padgate. |
| (b) Yorkshire Area | Padgate. |
| (c) North Midland Area | Cardington. |
| British Troops in Ireland | Travelling Board from Padgate |
| Scottish command | Edinburgh |
| Southern command - | |
| (a) Salisbury Plain Area | Travelling Board from Oxford |
| (b) South Western Area | Travelling Board from Oxford |
| (c) Southern Area | Travelling Board from Oxford |
| (d) South Midland Area | Oxford. |
| (e) Portsmouth Area | Oxford |
| Western Command - | |
| (a) N. Wales Area | Travelling Board from Padgate |
| (b) S. Wales Area | Travelling Board from Oxford |
| (c) West Lancs Area | Padgate. |
| Anti-Aircraft Command | To appropriate Board. |
Addresses
Cardington - Aviation Candidates Selection Board, Royal Air Force
Station, Cardington, Bedford,
Edinburgh - Aviation Candidates Selection Board, Royal Air
Force, Savings Bank Buildings, Hanover Street, Edinburgh.
Euston - Aviation Candidates Selection Board, Euston House
Eversholt Street, London, NW1.
Oxford - Aviation Candidates Selection Boards, Clarendon
Laboratory, Parks Road, Oxford.
Padgate - Aviation Candidates Selection Boards, Royal Air Force
Station, Padgate, Warrington, Lancs.
Note - Travelling Boards will only be available when numbers to be
interviewed make travelling by large parties uneconomical.
Aviation candidates Selection Boards will communicate direct with the OC the unit concerned, requesting the attendance of the individuals at a time and place to be notified. The OC the unit will give every facility to the Aviation Candidates Selection Board, and in the event of the place of interview being distant from the unit will issue the necessary travelling warrant, rations, etc.
The result of the interview will be notified direct by the board to the OC the unit. A note of the result will be made in the soldier's documents, and in the case of officers on AF B199A.
The Aviation Candidates Selection Boards will forward nominal rolls of candidates selected for training, one copy to the Under-Secretary of State for War, The War Office (AG 1 (D)), Temporary Office Buildings, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, and one copy to the Under-Secretary of State for Air, The Air Ministry (M3), Adastral House, Kingsway, London, WC2. Separate nominal rolls will be forwarded for officers, serjeants and other ranks respectively. The nominal rolls will be serially numbered by the Selection Boards and will quote this ACI under which they, are forwarded.
The names of the candidates to be made available will be communicated by the War Office to the Air Ministry (M3), reference being made to the nominal rolls on which their names appear.
The Air Ministry will forward to the War Office (AG 1(D) ) lists of candidates accepted for training, and the dates on and places at which they should report.
The War Office will notify GOCs-in-C, of commands
accordingly.
Source - Air Ministry Order A206/1941 dated 27 March 1941.
Air Crew Personnel - Night Vision
It has been decided to test all air crew personnel to determine their ability to see in the dark.
The results are to be assessed as "exceptional", "above average", "average", "below average", or "poor''. Instructions on this assessment have been issued to the medical teams who will undertake the tests.
The assessment is to be recorded in the first appropriate enclosure in Form 48 of each individual tested. The record is to be signed and dated by the examining officer. Entries are to be made in red ink. These entries are to be made, for officers, in the eye section of Form 826: for airmen they are to be made in the first Form 42, either in the eye section, if there is sufficient space, or else on the back of the form with a note in red ink at the eye section that this has been done.
For ease of reference, assessments "exceptional" and "above average " for any air crew personnel (pilots, observers, air gunners) are to be copied into the individual's flying log book at the unit by which this is issued; lower assessments will not he entered in the flying log hook.
Source - Air Ministry Order A283/1941 dated 24 April 1941.
Selection of Warrant Officers and Flight Sergeants for Training for Air Crew Duties
It has been decided that in future warrant officers and flight sergeants will be eligible for recommendation for training for air crew duties provided they are suitable in all respects in accordance with the conditions of eligibility set out in AMO A466/40, as amended. Posting for training will be subject to the requirements of the service.
While undergoing training warrant officers and flight sergeants will continue to receive the pay of their rank and group, plus flying instructional pay under normal rules, but, on qualifying, they will be remustered to the appropriate air crew category in the rank of sergeant, and paid accordingly.
Promotion thereafter will be in accordance with the normal rules for air crew as set out in AMO A326/41 and the position of these airmen on their trade rosters will be safeguarded so that should they at any time revert to their basic trade they will assume the rank and seniority in their trade which they would have held had they not been selected for air crew.
AMO A466/40, as amended, will be revised in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A325/1941 dated 8 May 1941.
Promotion of Airmen - Air Crew Personnel
For the period of the emergency it has been decided to establish an overhead proportion of posts for airman pilots, observers and observers (radio) in the ranks of warrant officer and flight sergeant, and of wireless operators (air gunner), and air gunners in the rank of flight sergeant. Airmen in those categories will, accordingly, be eligible for consideration for temporary promotion within the establishment provided that: -
they are recommended for promotion by their CO.
they have completed not less than six months' service in an air crew category in the next lower rank, and in the case of observers (radio) not less than six months fully qualified service in that category..
Initial promotions will be with effect from 1st April 1941.
The daily rates of pay (exclusive of war pay) will be as follows
Airman pilots, air observers and observers (radio)
| Flight sergeant | 15s 0d |
| (over four years service as such) | 15s 6d |
| Warrant officer | 16s 6d |
Wireless operators (air gunner)
Flight sergeant 9s 0d
Air gunners
| Flight sergeant | 8s 0d |
Promotion to fill vacancies will be made from time to time by the Air Officer i/c Records, and will be subject to confirmation by COs that the airmen concerned are suitable and are recommended for promotion. COs are to take particular care to satisfy themselves on this point and are to report immediately to the Air Officer i/c Records cases where such confirmation cannot be given.
In view of the avenue of promotion now provided, airmen mustered as air crew, or under training with a view to such mustering, will not be promoted in their basic trade. Their position on their trade roster will however, be safeguarded in, that, should they at any time revert to their basic trade, they will assume the rank and seniority in their trade which they would have held had they not been selected for air crew.
The provisions of this order will not apply to Czechoslovak
personnel or to personnel of dominion or allied air forces who are not
enlisted in the Royal Air Force. Separate instructions regarding these
personnel will be issued in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A326/1941 dated 8 May 1941. amended by AMOs
A504/41 dated 10 July 1941 and A940/41 dated 13 November 1941.
The original para 5 was deleted by AMO A940/41 dated 13 November 1941, but is shown below for interest.
Numbers of posts for airman pilots in certain units are being established specifically in the rank of warrant officer and flight sergeant. These posts will be filled as far as possible by airmen of the appropriate rank but where it is necessary to appoint, airmen of lower rank to such posts they will be eligible for the grant of acting rank under the normal conditions laid down in AMO A451/39.
Selection of Serving Airmen for Training for Air Crew Duties
Airmen serving overseas in the dominions are eligible to be considered for air crew training under the general conditions laid down in AMO A466/40, as amended by A613/40, A874/40, A189/41 and A250/41.
Details as to the procedure to be followed are being arranged with the dominion authorities concerned and will be announced in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A345/1941 dated 15 May 1941.
Observer (Radio) - Conditions of Service, etc.
The air crew category previously designated radio operator (air) has been renamed observer (radio). The qualifications and condition of service of observers (radio) are set out below.
Qualifications - The qualifications required of observers (radio) will be as follows: -
Education, at least up to matriculation or school certificate standard, preferably with scientific or technical qualifications and like hobbies or interests.
Exceptional candidates without the qualifications mentioned in sub-para (i) above who are or were employed in a civil occupation demanding the exercise of initiative and mental alertness, and who possess these qualities to a degree sufficient to balance a lower paper record of education.
An analytical mind capable of analysis leading to a correct solution.
Clear diction to ensure a ready and clear understanding when contacting both pilot and GCI controller.
Medical - The standard will be as for air crew categories other than pilot, except that the eyesight standard is lowered to allow of acceptance of those who are colour blind and those whose sight can be correctly adjusted with glasses.
Age limit - Candidates must be 18 or over but under 33 years of age; candidates over 24 are preferred. The upper age limit, however, will be relaxed in favour of candidates possessing exceptional qualifications.
Mustering, classification, etc -
Candidates will graduate, while under training, as below: -
| Stage of training | Rank and group | Pay |
| Initial training wing | Aircraftman 2nd class, group V | 2s a day |
| Technical course | Leading aircraftman, group II | 5s a day plus flying instructional pay at the same rate as for air observers under training. |
| Operational training unit or operational unit, for period of one month. | Sergeant-observer (radio) on probation | 7s 9d a day |
| Fully qualified | Sergeant-observer (radio) | 12s 6d a. day |
War pay of 6d a day is payable in addition to the above rates.
Airmen already mustered as radio operators (air) who at the date of this order have completed one month's satisfactory service in that category, at either an operational training unit or a squadron, will qualify for the full rate of 12s 6d a day (plus war pay) with effect from the date of this order, and will be remustered to observer (radio).
Conditions under which serving airmen will be remustered - Serving airmen of all trades, who satisfy the conditions outlined in paras 2, 3 and 4 above, may volunteer for employment as observer (radio). If selected they will, during training, retain their existing temporary rank or classification and pay, if more favourable, until such time as the conditions of service set out in para 5(i) above become more favourable. Remustering will be effected by the Air Officer i/o Records, on the authority of the Air Ministry.
Promotion - For the period of the emergency an overhead proportion of posts will be established for observer (radio) in the ranks of warrant officer and flight sergeant and with pay at the same rates as air observers, particulars of which are given in AMO A326/41, as amended by A504/41. In addition, trainees will be eligible for the grant of commissions in the general duties branch either immediately on completion of the probationary period to be served in an operational training unit or in, an operational unit, or at a later stage and the rules for time promotion up to flight lieutenant contained in para 8 (vi) of AMO A913/40 will apply.
- deleted
Selection procedure for airmen
Candidates, other than those already selected for air crew duties, will, in the first instance, be interviewed by aviation candidates selection boards. Direct entry candidates will be enlisted at this stage. All candidates will be liable to confirmation of selection for these duties by a further interview at the air crew receiving centre by a special observer (radio) selection board. Any direct entry candidates who are not accepted by the special board will be liable for remustering to other air crew categories, if recommended by the aviation candidate selection board, or to ground duties.
Direct entrants who, after interview and selection by the aviation candidates selection board, are placed on deferred service, will, on being called up, appear before the special selection board at the receiving centre.
The procedure to be followed, in the case of serving airmen, up to the point of interview by the aviation candidates selection board will he as laid down in AMO A466/40, except that recommendations may be forwarded at any time.
Posting - The Air Ministry (D of P) will be responsible for posting personnel remustered to observer (radio) and the procedure will be as laid down in AMO A121/40. Monthly returns (Form 449) of air crew personnel will, of course, include observers (radio).
Badge - The existing badge for radio operators (air) (see AMO A402/41) will be retained.
General - On ceasing to be employed as observer (radio), airmen with basic trades will he remustered to their basic trade and assume the temporary rank they would normally have held had they not been employed on observer (radio) duties. Direct entrants will be remustered for employment in a trade for which they are considered suitable. Remustering will be effected by the Air Officer i/c Records, on the authority of the Air Ministry.
Officers who are withdrawn from employment as observer (radio) will, if retained in the service, be dealt with under the provisions of AMO A341/39, as amended by A417/39, A28/40, A164/40, A395/40 and A38/41, relating to air observers similarly withdrawn, or in conformity with para 9 of AMO A894/40, as appropriate.
(AMO A17/41 cancelled.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A503/1941 dated 10 July 1941, amended by AMO A634/41 dated 14 August 1941.
Air Observers and Observers (Radio) - Flying Instructional Pay
In future, airmen under training as air observer or observer (radio) will, when eligible for flying instructional pay under the general conditions of para. 3458 of KR & ACI, be paid at the rate of 2s 0d a day, instead of 1s 6d a day, as heretofore.
Airmen now undergoing air observer or observer (radio) training will be entitled to the increased rate of flying instructional pay, with effect from the date of this order.
AMO A469/39 is accordingly further amended as follows: -
(AMO A469/39, as amended by A416/40, A803/40 and A189/41, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A579/1941 dated 31 July 1941.
Airman Pilots, Air Observers and Observers (Radio) with Basic Trades Position when Medically Unfit
As from 4th June 1941, an airman pilot, air observer, or observer (radio) with a basic trade who, for reasons beyond his control, becomes temporarily medically unfit will not, as hitherto in the case of pilots and air observers, be remustered to his basic trade after a period of two months. He will remain mustered as pilot or observer and receive the appropriate rate of pay but, during the period of temporary unfitness he. may, if his medical condition warrants it, be employed in his basic trade, or where more advantageous, on other duties. Airman pilots and air observers who are at present temporarily medically unfit and who have been remustered to their basic trade in accordance with KR & ACI, para 506, clause 12, or para 25 of AMO A17/39, may be remustered to their air crew categories with effect from 4th June 1941. Where, however, temporary unfitness is due to the airman's own fault he will be remustered to his basic trade after two months.
It is essential that a final decision as to whether an airman is permanently unfit for further flying duties should be reached as early as possible. An airman, who is found to be permanently unfit for further flying will, subject to his retention in the service being approved, be remustered to his basic trade with effect from the date of the medical board.
KR & ACI, para 506, clause 12, is accordingly placed in abeyance.
AMO A17/39 was accordingly further amended as follows: - Para 25 was deleted.
(AMO A.17139, as amended by A.139139, A.242139, A.329139, A.31140, A.201140 and A.537140, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A651/1941 dated 21 August 1941.
Disposal, on Reversion to Ground Duties for Reasons of Unfitness, of Airmen with basic trades mustered in an Air Crew Category
Airmen with basic trades mustered in an air crew category will, on reversion to their basic trade on becoming permanently unfit for aircrew duties, be granted the rank they would have attained had they not interrupted their trade career for aircrew employment.
Those who, on remustering to an air crew category, had not attained the classification of leading aircraftman in their trade will, on reversion, be trade tested immediately and, subject to passing the test up to LAC standard, will be regarded as having attained that classification with effect from the date on which they were remustered for air crew duties. Their position on the promotion roster will be adjusted accordingly.
Airmen who do not reach LAC standard will be classified on the result of the trade test or in their previous classification, whichever is the higher, and will be posted to a unit, where they will be given every opportunity to improve their skill and experience in the trade. COs of such units are to make arrangements to ensure that all possible assistance is given to these airmen to enable them to reach LAC standard in the minimum time, and a trade test is to be arranged as and when necessary, on the advice of the appropriate specialist officer. Airmen who qualify at this trade test as leading aircraftmen will be dealt with on the lines indicated in para 2 above. COs of units concerned are to inform the Air Officer i/c Records immediately such airmen qualify. The remainder will be classified on merit and their future advancement will be governed strictly by normal procedure.
Airmen who, on remustering for air crew employment, had not attained LAC standard in their basic trade are advised to take every opportunity to maintain and improve their knowledge of their basic trade during air crew employment. Educational services are available for this purpose in addition to such facilities as exist at most stations.
For the purpose of these instructions directly entered wireless operators (air gunner) will be regarded as having the basic trade of wireless operator; they are to be trade tested immediately on reversion to ground duties, following which they will be dealt with under paras 2 or 3 above, as appropriate.
These instructions will operate as from the date of this order.
Source - Air Ministry Order A713/1941 dated 4 September 1941.
Wireless Operators/Air Gunner Sequence of Training
The sequence of training for wireless operator/air gunner entrants and wireless operator trainees recommended for gunnery duties is being revised with the object of eventually producing a higher standard of technical skill, discipline and spirit of service than time and conditions would permit of in the past.
The revised sequence is as follows: -
Phase I - Preliminary - Ten weeks' (excluding recruit period) instruction in drill, discipline and morse, during which a minimum morse speed of ten words a minute must be reached.
Phase II - Advanced signals - Twelve weeks' instruction in wireless operator (ground) duty, followed by a period of service in that duty at a RAF station to promote instinctive operating and to gain confidence from experience of working the ground end of the channel of communication. The period of service at a RAF station will normally last approximately three months but may be longer in the case of wireless operator trainees recommended during signals training for gunnery duties.
Phase III - Conversion to wireless operator/air gunner - Eight weeks in an air crew wing (ACW) designed to give practice in air operating and to raise the standard of discipline and spirit of service in preparation for air crew duty. Qualified wireless operators recommended for gunnery duties must also complete this course before proceeding to gunnery training.
Phase IV - Gunnery school course.
With regard to phase II above, airmen will be employed
supernumerary to the station wireless operator (ground) establishment.
During this period of duty at a ground station an airman may be brought
forward for reclassification to aircraftman 1st class or leading
aircraftman, as necessary, under the provisions of AMO A451/39, irrespective
of whether he passes to phase III or not.
With regard to phase III, the training (excepting signals)
to be given in the air crew wing will include armament, aircraft and ship
recognition, lectures on subjects of interest, hygiene, sanitation,
discipline and kindred subjects.
The signals training section of the syllabus of this phase has been designed
to train the airmen in the technicalities required for W/T operation in
operational aircraft.
It is essential to ensure that airmen who are employed on
ground duties and who will eventually be absorbed into air crew wings, are
given every opportunity to improve their technical skill and, in particular,
to maintain their morse standard at a minimum speed of eighteen words a
minute (aircraftman 2nd class), twenty words a minute (aircraftman 1st
class) or 22 words a minute (leading aircraftman).
With this end in view the following syllabus of training should be
instituted at all RAF stations to which such airmen are posted: -
| i. Signals - Practical signals, morse, buzzer practice. | To maintain
the skill of the airmen in W/T operating, to add to their
experience and to give them practical knowledge of the signals
organisation which they will be operating. The following
avenues of employment in ground stations are to be Interception: "K "broadcasts: Point to point: Signals office duties; Employment in squadrons on minor maintenance and inspections. |
| ii. Lamp and semaphore practice. | |
| iii. General studies - | Geography of war zones: Lectures of service interest (especially those with an operational flavour): Speed handwriting in plain language and syko code: Arithmetic: Any other educational subject which would materially help to improve the airmen's general standard. Where possible instruction is to be given in the elements of navigation, map reading and kindred subjects. |
| iv. Armament - | Vickers or Browning guns: Rifle and revolver practice: Clay pigeon shooting where practicable. |
| v. Aircraft and ship recognition. | |
| vi. Flying - | As many local flights (preferably with experienced wireless operators/air gunner) as can be arranged without interference with operational requirements or efficiency. |
Source - Air Ministry Order A804/1941 dated 2 October 1941, amended by AMO A1008/41 dated 4 December 1941.
Award of the Air Navigation Certificate, 2nd Class
Changes in the navigational training of observers and pilots have necessitated revision of the rules governing the award of the air navigation certificate, 2nd class, under the terms of KR & ACI, para 382, clause 1A.
The intention is that the air navigation certificate, 2nd class, shall be awarded to observers and pilots who have shown themselves to be thoroughly competent to act as practical navigators. (The air navigation certificate, 1st class, will remain the mark of those who, in addition to being holders of the second class certificate, are competent in the theory of navigation.)
Air navigation certificates, 2nd class, may be awarded to-
observers and pilots who have successfully completed a short navigation instructors' course at a school of air navigation.
pilots who have successfully completed a course at a school of general reconnaissance.
observers and pilots who have successfully completed a special navigation course in a RAF command overseas, provided the syllabus has been approved by the Air Ministry. (This approval will be given only when the syllabus conforms to that for courses specified in (i) or (ii) above.)
Consequent upon the extension of the basic training of air
observers by the introduction of an extra stage at an elementary air
observers school, air navigation certificates, 2nd class, may be awarded on
completion of basic training to those observers, who have successfully
completed courses at both an elementary air observers school and an air
observers school.
(Note - In future, observers attending courses specified in para. 3 above
may already be the holders of the certificates.)
Paras 3 and 4 are subject to the proviso that on the courses specified individuals must have obtained a minimum of sixty per cent of the marks in each navigational subject, and seventy per cent of the total marks for navigational subjects.
The certificates may be issued on the authority of the group or if there is no group, of the command, in which the school at which the course is given is placed. Certificates should be signed by an officer not below the rank of group captain. Lists of certificates issued should be forwarded direct to the Air Ministry. Supplies of certificates may be obtained from the Air Ministry.
The air navigation certificate, 2nd class, may be awarded also to an observer or pilot who fulfils the following conditions: -=
Has been certified as competent in astronomical navigation as laid down in AMO A406/41.
Is certified by his CO as having acted competently as navigator on not less than ten operational flights, each of a minimum duration of three hours, and as having shown himself as a consistently reliable navigator.
Has, during basic training, obtained not less than sixty per cent of the marks in each navigational subject, and seventy per cent of the total marks in navigational subjects.
As the records from which information may be obtained for para 7 (iii) above are held at the Air Ministry to simplify administration, certificates that may be awarded under para 7 will be issued by the department. Operational groups should forward direct to the Air Ministry the names of those whom they deem eligible under para 7 (i) and (ii) above.
Observers and pilots who satisfactorily completed the courses specified in para 3 above before the date of this order and who have not been awarded the air navigation certificate, 2nd class, under former arrangements, should forward their applications, through the usual channels, to the Air Ministry.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
Source - Air Ministry Order A822/1941 dated 9 October 1941, amended by AMO A1042/41 dated 11 December 1941.
Conversion Courses for Wireless Operators (Air Gunnery)
Establishments of certain units require wireless operator mechanics to be qualified air gunners.
To meet this requirement it has been decided to afford to wireless operators (air gunner) who have completed an operational tour of duty, opportunities to undergo a course for conversion to wireless operator mechanic.
Airmen selected for conversion will remain mustered in their air crew category during the period of the course and will be paid accordingly. On successful completion of the course they will be remustered to wireless operator mechanic (air gunner).
On the advice of the specialist officer concerned, COs may, at any time, recommend for training as a wireless operator mechanic any wireless operator (air gunner) who volunteers, provided that he has completed an operational tour of duty. Recommendations are to be forwarded to the Air Ministry (DP8), who will arrange for posting for training in conjunction with the Air Officer i/c Records.
Source - Air Ministry Order A983/1941 dated 20 November 1941.
Redundant Navigator (Wireless) Cadets Re-allocated to Ground Employment - Conditions of Service
It has been decided that navigator (wireless) cadets who have completed successfully the signals course at No 1 Radio School, Cranwell, but have since been declared redundant under AMO A552/45 or A918/45, as amended, and remustered for ground employment in accordance with paras 37 and 25, respectively, of those orders, shall be deemed to have qualified as wireless operators (air), and are therefore eligible for the award of the air crew 'S' badge and promotion to temporary sergeant with effect from the day following that on which they were originally declared redundant.
The decision in no way affects the redundancy of these airmen as aircrew and they will continue in the ground employment to which they have already been re-allocated. As non-productive qualified aircrew, they are now, however, eligible for the conditions of service set out in para. 24 of AMO A918/45 and in AMO A179/46, para. 2, sub-para. (ii).
COs are accordingly to take the following action upon instructions from the Air Officer i/c Records in regard to all ex-navigator (wireless) cadets who have been found employment in the circumstances described. in para. 1 above: -
Remuster them to wireless operator (air), award the badge and promote them to temporary sergeant.
Remustering is to be promulgated in their dual air crew and ground status (i.e temporary sergeant wireless operator (air)/AC2 wireless operator).
Remustering is to be effective from the day following that of original declaration of redundancy.
All remusterings are to be promulgated in unit personnel occurrence reports, this order being quoted as the authority.
These arrangements do not apply to navigator (wireless)
cadets who have not been declared redundant. As trainees, they will
continue in their present cadet mustering to successful completion of the
course of navigation training when they will be
remustered to navigator (wireless), awarded the appropriate air crew badge
and promoted to sergeant or commissioned under normal arrangements.
The provisions of paras. 1 to 3 above will apply equally to navigator (wireless) who have completed successfully the signals course at No 1 Radio School, and who may, subsequently to the date of this order, be declared redundant in accordance with the terms of AMO A918/45.
Source - Air Ministry Order A143/46 dated 14 February 1946, amended by AMO A292/46
Transfer of Flying Personnel to Transport Command - Advantages of Air Transport Experience in Candidates for Employment in Civil Aviation
The object of this order is to bring to the notice of flying personnel the important role which air transport is bound to play in future not only in the, service but in the economic life of the community; to point out the obvious advantage which experience of air transport in the Royal Air Force will have for candidates for employment in civil air transport; and to encourage those who are interested in this form of flying, to apply for extended service in the Royal Air Force and transfer to flying employment in Transport Command.
It is necessary that Transport Command, during the next year or two, should have the services of experienced flying personnel who will be available, after the necessary conversion training, to give a substantial period of continuous service in the Command. This requirement cannot be met solely from general duties officers holding permanent commissions and air crew serving on long service engagements. Until the Royal Air Force in general, and Transport Command in particular, contracts to the permanent post-war establishment and is manned with regular officers and airmen serving on normal regular engagements, it will be necessary to man the aircraft of the Command to a substantial extent by crews who do not necessarily look to the Royal Air Force for a permanent career. Even when the service is reduced to permanent peace-time strength, there will remain a fair proportion of flying personnel serving on extended service until the post-war Short Service scheme comes into full operation. From the service point of view, a great deal depends on the success of the extended service scheme and flying personnel are advised to weigh carefully the advantages it offers to them. On the one hand there will remain the possibility of permanent service in the Royal Air Force. Not every officer on extended service can hope to be selected for a permanent commission but there will be opportunities and already a number of officers selected for extended service have been offered permanent commissions. On the other hand vacancies will be arising in civil aviation for men with flying experience, particularly the sort of experience obtainable in Transport Command .
AMO A557/45 sets out the conditions of secondment of RAF flying personnel for employment with British civil air transport. Those conditions, however, are of a temporary nature and apply only to the relatively small numbers of personnel that civil air transport can absorb in the immediate future. Different arrangements will be necessary to meet future requirements, not only in the British Overseas Airways Corporation but in the other air transport corporations as well. It will probably not be long before British civil aviation gets into its stride and in the next year or two the demand; for experienced personnel should increase, as civil aviation gradually expands and takes over, under peace conditions, commitments that have necessarily to be shouldered by the Royal Air Force in war and in the difficult stage of transition from war to peace conditions. it is also likely that opportunities will arise for employment in the Colonies for which personnel with experience of transport flying in the Royal Air Force will be specially suited. The actual number of vacancies in civil aviation at home and abroad cannot be foreseen but competition for them will be severe and only those with really good qualifications are likely to be appointed.
The qualities required by flying personnel in civil air transport are in many respects very similar to those required for certain types of RAF employment. Full particulars, including the age limits, for various categories of employment in British civil air transport will be found in a broadsheet prepared by the British Oversees Airways Corporation and distributed under arrangements described in AMO N1180/45. As vacancies occur in civil air transport, there will be a demand for men with up-to-date experience who are in flying practice and, in the meantime, flying personnel are required for service in Transport Command to enable the command to meet commitments, some of which will ultimately be taken over by civil aviation. it is accordingly of the utmost importance to the efficient maintenance of air transport generally that considerably larger numbers of personnel should offer themselves for extended service. It is fully recognised that as far as may be practicable, officers who are selected for extended service commissions under AMO A775/45 and airmen who are accepted for extended service as air crew under AMO 1153/45 should not be placed at a disadvantage for employment in civil aviation as compared with those who take their release under their age and service group. It has therefore been decided that personnel, if suitably qualified and selected may, with due regard to the requirements of the Royal Air Force, be released from their extended service engagements to take up flying employment in civil air transport or employment for which flying experience is an essential qualification.
It would be manifestly unjust if permanent employment in civil air transport were open only to those who are at present on the strength of Transport Command and, for this reason, flying personnel in all commands have been given an opportunity of volunteering for secondment to employment with British civil air transport under AMO A557/45. It is obvious, however, as already mentioned, that Transport Command provides flying crew with opportunities for obtaining qualifications of the type which will be required by civil air transport as it expands. It has therefore been decided, in agreement with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, officially to recognise Transport Command for the time being as the main outlet for flying personnel from the Royal Air Force to civil air transport. As a corollary, it has been decided that flying crew who wish to make a career in civil air transport and who desire to extend their service under AMO A775/45 or A1153/45 shall, regardless of the command in which they may now be serving, have the opportunity of serving in Transport Command to the extent of the capacity of that command to absorb them and of other commands to spare them.
It must be understood that a high standard of efficiency will be required, and that the requirements of Transport Command, though large, are not unlimited; there can therefore be no guarantee that applicants for transfer to the command will necessarily be selected. Moreover, if selected and subsequently found unsuitable, they cannot expect to be retained in Transport Command. Even if they are not selected for transfer to Transport Command they will, however, still remain eligible for consideration for employment in civil air transport if in all respects suitable. It is important also that all concerned shall be quite clear that a period of service in Transport Command carries with it no guarantee of subsequent employment in Civil Aviation; it will merely give those concerned a better chance of obtaining special training and experience in the air transport role, thus making them better qualified candidates.
Applications are invited from flying personnel in. the
categories of pilot, navigator, wireless operator and flight engineer for
transfer to Transport Command under the provisions of this order.
Applications should be made in the form set out in the Appendix to this
order and forwarded, in duplicate, to the Air Ministry (DD of P1) as early
as possible accompanied by the recommendation of the AOC. Applicants
should be not be more than 35 years of age, but it must be understood that
the upper age limits for flying employment in civil air transport will be
appreciably lower. Applicants should have the following
qualifications: -
4cejøications.
Pilots
1st Pilots
On entry into Heavy Transport Conversion Units - A minimum of 750 hours flying as pilot exclusive of time spent as a pupil under dual instruction. Of these 750 hours, at least 200 hours (of which 50 must be by night) as first pilot of a four-engined service type aircraft.
On entry into Transport Conversion Unit (twin engined) - A minimum of 750 hours flying as pilot exclusive of time spent as a pupil under dual instruction. Of these 750 hours, at least 200 hours (of which 50 must be by night) as first pilot of a twin-engined service type aircraft.
2nd Pilots (to be potential captain). - Within 200 hours of the standard quoted for first pilots.
Navigators
On entry into Heavy Transport Conversion Unit - A minimum of 200 hours flying as navigator, including 100 hours 0n four-engined aircraft on long distance flights.
On entry to Transport Conversion Unit (twin-.engined). - A minimum of 200 hours flying as navigator.
Wireless Operators - A minimum of 300 hours flying as wireless operator and to have satisfactorily completed an operational training unit course,
Flight Engineers (Provisional standard). - Should normally have had six months ground staff experience in the basic trade of fitter IIA or E or flight mechanic and have flown a minimum of 300 hours as flight engineer.
Personnel applying for transfer who have not yet applied for
extended service under AMO A775/45 or A1153/45 should do so concurrently
with their applications above.
(Note. - These are the qualifications currently required in air crew
on initial posting to Transport Command and are subject to review from time
to time.)
Arrangements will be made for applicants who are recommended for transfer to Transport Command to be interviewed by a selection board, details of which will be promulgated separately.
The secondment scheme for flying personnel, described in AMO A557/45, will be discontinued when the requirements of the British civil air transport corporations for suitably qualified RAF personnel who are still in RAF service can be met by releasing to them a regulated, flow of flying personnel who will be mainly drawn from those with up-to-date experience in Transport Command and to a lesser extent from those in other commands. Further instructions will be promulgated on the procedure to be observed by personnel who wish to apply for their release from extended service to take up employment in civil air transport.
COs are to bring this order to the notice of all flying personnel under their command
APPENDIX
APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER TO TRANSPORT COMMAND UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF AMO A154/46
(To be forwarded in duplicate to the Air Ministry (DD, of P1)
Name .............................................................................................................................
Rank and number..... ..................................... Unit ..............................................
Date of birth .................................................
Air Crew category .........................................
Type of commission or engagement .................................................................................
Brief statement of flying experience giving hour and types of aircraft flown :
Pilots, as captain or first pilot :-
Flying hours Type of aircraft Single engine - Day Single engine - Night Twin engine - Day Twin engine - Night Multi engine - Day Multi engine - Night Total
Other air crew: -
Flying hours Type of aircraft Twin engine - Day Twin engine - Night State whether application has been made for extended service under AMO A775/45 or A1153/45 and result, if known...........................................................................
Do you desire to be considered for employment in civil aviation in the event of a vacancy arising before the expiration of your period of extended service with the Royal Air Force............................................................................................................
Date................................................... Signature..........................................
Remarks of CO
Remarks of AOC, including statement whether or not applicant can be spared for transfer to Transport Command.
Source - Air Ministry Order A154/46 dated 12 February 1946.
AMO A154/46 is amended as follows: -
Para. 1. Add at end: -
"or in a transport group in overseas commands. Subsequent references to Transport Command in this order apply equally to transport groups in overseas commands."
Para, 7, line 4. After "duplicate," insert: -
"through command headquarters,"
(AMO A154/46 amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A237/46 dated 21 March 1946.
AMO A154/46 is further amended as follows: -
Para. 4, lines 16 to 19. Delete from "It" to end of paragraph and subititute: -
"It has therefore been decided that personnel may, with due regard to the requirements of the Royal Air Force, be released from their extended service engagements to take up flying employment in civil air transport or employment, for which flying experience is an essential qualification if they are suitably qualified and selected for such employment,"
Para.. 7, line 8. After "qualifications" insert
", but applications from personnel whose flying experience may differ in some respects from the standards laid down may be submitted if recommended and considered suitable for transfer to Transport Command".
(AMO A154/46, as amended by A237/46, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A817/46 dated 19 September 1946.
Designation of Aircrew Personnel
It is notified, in accordance with the announcement made in para. 10 of Newpayform No 3, that personnel below commissioned rank who are mustered to an aircrew category will in future be known generically as aircrew. (This will apply not only to members of the existing aircrew categories, but also to those who are, in due course, mustered to the post-war categories of pilot, navigator, signaller, engineer or gunner),
The term "aircrew" will not in future be used to denote officers employed on flying duties; qualifications of the above term such as "airman aircrew" or "non-commissioned aircrew" are therefore unnecessary, and must no longer be employed. (The last expression will in any case be inappropriate when the new system of aircrew rank titles come into effect.)
The expression "flying personnel" will be used when it is desired to refer generically to officers employed on flying duties and aircrew.
Source - Air Ministry Order A158/46 dated 21 February 1946.
Redundant Aircrew Re-allocated to Ground Employment - Conditions of Service
(This order affects paras. 1156, 1157, 1315 and 3054 of AP837.)
Para. 24 of AMO A918/45 states that productive and non-productive qualified aircrew who have been declared redundant and re-allocated to ground employment in accordance with the principles set out in that order, will retain their aircrew status and rates of pay and will continue to be eligible for time promotion and increments of pay under aircrew conditions. The mustering of airmen will, however, show their ground as well as their aircrew status, e.g., sergeant, navigator (u/t electrician II) or, on completion of training, sergeant, navigator (AC2 electrician II). This Air Ministry Order gives additional information regarding the conditions of service of aircrew while so employed.
Conditions of service as aircrew - eligibility for time promotion under AMO A3/45
i. The CO of each unit where aircrew (as defined in para. 1 above) are employed or are under training, is to ensure, by reference to their documents, that their eligibility for time promotion under AMO A3/45 is not overlooked and he is to arrange for the submission of nominal rolls to his AOC at the due date, in accordance with para. 2, sub-para. (ii), of that order.
In respect of wireless operators (air) who have not, at the time of being declared redundant, qualified for promotion under para. 11 of AMO A244/44, as amended, it has been decided that it would not be practicable for them to take the grading test during training for, or whilst subsequently employed in, a ground trade. The CO of the unit is, therefore, to include their names on the monthly nominal roll immediately prior to completion of twelve months' service in the category or, in the case of these who had more than twelve months' seniority at the time of being declared redundant, in the monthly nominal roll immediately prior to completion of three months' ground service.
The recommendation under sub-para. (i) or (ii) above as to whether or not an airman is fit for promotion, and if not, whether promotion should be deferred for a specified period, is, in the absence of any information of an adverse nature recorded in the airman's documents during the period under review, to be based either on the manner in which the airman has discharged his ground duties or, if under training in a trade, on satisfactory progress whilst under instruction.
If the promotion of an airman has been deferred for a specified period prior to his having been declared redundant, the CO of the unit is to include his name in the appropriate monthly nominal roll, and is to indicate, on the basis described in sub-para. iii) above, whether or not promotion is now recommended. When insufficient knowledge of the airman precludes a recommendation, the CO of the unit who recommended the original deferment of promotion should, where practicable, be consulted.
Conditions of service as tradesmen - eligibility for advancement in their trade mustering
i. Basic tradesmen -
Airmen who prior to aircrew employment were NCOs, or leading aircraftmen. - On remustering to their trade they will assume therein the temporary rank they would have attained, but for aircrew employment, as determined by the central promotion rosters.
Airmen who prior to aircrew employment were aircraftmen 1st class, or aircraftmen 2nd class - Immediately on remustering to their trade, airmen will be trade tested, and those who attain leading aircraftman standard will be granted an ante-date of that classification with effect from the date of entry into aircrew training. Their temporary rank therein will then be assessed in accordance with sub-para. (a) above. Special, facilities are to be given for the remainder to reach leading aircraftmen standard as soon as possible, and those who attain that standard within six months will be granted a similar ante-date of seniority and the appropriate temporary rank. This ante-date will not normally be granted where reclassification as leading aircraftman occurs after the period specified. The Air Officer i/c Records, the Base Personnel Staff Officer or the AOC as appropriate, is to be notified of all such cases to enable him to make the necessary adjustments in temporary rank.
Airmen remustered to trades other than the basic trade to which they were mustered prior to aircrew employment - These will be dealt with in the same manner those under sub-para. (b) above.
Until they become sufficiently proficient to assume the responsibility of their temporary rank assessed in accordance with the foregoing sub-paragraphs. airmen will be employed only in the classification or rank appropriate to their trade capacity and experience.
Regular airmen who are declared redundant, and who are not applicants or whose applications have been rejected under AMO A1153/45 are eligible for the grant of substantive rank in their basic trades in accordance with the provision of Newpay forms 4 and 5. and COs should forward recommendations in respect of such airmen in accordance with para. 5 of Newpay form 5.
ii. Airmen without basic trades. - They will be remustered for employment forthwith, or for training, in the ground trade for which they are selected by the Air Crew Allocation Centre, Catterick or the Combined Reselection Centre, Eastchurch, under the arrangements set out in paras. 17 to 20 of AMO A918/45. On reclassification as leading aircraftman in their ground trade they will be placed on the central promotion roster and will be eligible for promotion in their ground trade to temporary or acting rank under the same general conditions as other airmen mustered to that trade.
Assessment of trade proficiency. - The assessment of trade proficiency of aircrew who have been declared redundant will be on the basis of the performance of their ground duties only, the requirements of para. 2141 of KR & ACI being related to the rank, classification or under/training status held, or in which they are actually employed in the ground trade.
Privilege leave entitlement on re-allocation to training for. or whilst subsequently employed in a ground trade. - The annual privilege leave entitlement of aircrew on re-allocation to training for, or whilst subsequently employed in, a ground trade is 28 days, as laid down in AMO A1073/42, para. 3, sub-para. (i) (b) as amended by AMO A1054/44.
Description in documents of redundant aircrew. - Redundant aircrew re-allocated to ground employment are to be described in their records and documents in their dual mustering, which will be amended as necessary in the light of any subsequent promotion promulgated in respect of either mustering, e.g.,
Sergeant, navigator (u/t electrician II)
Sergeant, navigator (AC2 electrician II)
Flight sergeant, navigator (AC2 electrician II)
Warrant officer, pilot (AC2 clerk GD)
Warrant officer, pilot (Sgt (acting) clerk GD)
Warrant officer, Flight engineer (Flight sergeant, fitter III (a)).
(AMOs A778/45, A806/45 and A959/45 cancelled.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A179/46 dated 28 February 1946.
Refresher Training for Navigation Specialists
A number of officers entitled to the specialist symbol "N" have not been employed on navigation duties for several years and it is reasonable to assume that they are out of date and unfamiliar with modern navigation technique and equipment.
To remedy the situation described in para. 1 above, it has been decided to offer the officers concerned an opportunity of taking a navigation refresher course at the Empire Navigation School. Officers who wish to take advantage of this offer should apply in writing direct to the Air Ministry (DDT Nav).
In future any officer who has not been employed on, navigation duties for it period of five years or more and who does not avail himself of the opportunity to take refresher training will no longer be regarded as a navigation specialist and will forfeit his right to the symbo1 "N".
Source - Air Ministry Order A181/46 dated 28 February 1946.
Eligibility of Aircrew for Re-engagement, Extension of Service and Enlistment as Tradesmen in the Regular Air Force
(This order effects para 1196 of AP 837)
In para 16 of AMO A608/44, as amended, it is stated that "the position of those airmen who am serving on regular engagements and who, but for their aircrew employment would have availed themselves of the terms of this order, will be safeguarded": and in para 30 of AMO A918/45 as amended it is stated that "All airmen aircrew personnel, who are declared redundant under the terms of this order may apply for extension of service, etc., under AMO A605/44, as amended". It has come to notice that some doubts exist as to the precise position of aircrew who wish to undertake further service under AMO A605/44 and the following instructions are therefore issued for the guidance of all concerned.
The service as aircrew of those accepted as tradesmen under the terms of A605/44 will be allowed to count in determining the temporary rank or classification which they will assume in their ground trade as follows: -
Aircrew with a basic trade. -
Airmen who prior to aircrew employment NCOs or leading aircraftmen - On remustering to their basic trade they will assume therein the temporary rank or classification they would have attained, but for aircrew employment, as determined by the central promotion rosters, under normal promotion procedure.
Airmen who were aircraftmen 1st class or 2nd class. - Immediately on remustering to their trade, airmen will be trade tested, and those who attain leading aircraftman standard will be granted an antedate of that classification with effect from the date of entry into aircrew training. Their temporary rank or classification in their trade will then be assessed in accordance with sub-para. (i) (a) above. S pecial facilities are to be given to the remainder to reach leading aircraftman standard as soon as possible, and those who attain that standard within six months will be granted a similar antedate of seniority and the appropriate rank. The Air Officer i/c Records, the base personnel staff officer, or the AOC, as appropriate, is to be notified of all such eases in order to enable him to make the necessary adjustments in temporary trade rank.
Aircrew without a basic trade - COs are to give those airmen every facility to reach leading aircraftman standard as soon as possible. Those who reach that standard within six months of completion of trade training or of acceptance for enlistment under AMO A.605/44 whichever is the later, will be granted an antedate of seniority and temporary trade rank as in sub-para (i) (b) above.
The antedate of seniority as leading aircraftman referred to in sub-paras. (i) (b) and (ii) above will not normally be granted when reclassification as leading aircraftman occurs after the six months period specified.
The grant of substantive rank in their, ground trade to airmen to whom this order applies will be governed by the provisions of Newpayforms 4, and 5, which are applicable to them as to all other airmen mustered to ground trades. Airmen granted temporary trade rank and an antedate of seniority under para. 2 above will be employed only in the classification or rank appropriate to their trade capacity and experience until they become sufficiently proficient to assume the responsibility of their temporary trade rank, assessed in accordance with that paragraph. They will normally be allowed a further period of six months in which to pass any necessary courses for the above purpose, subject to refresher training being available. In recommending these airmen for substantive Promotion therefore, COs should assess the likelihood of their successfully qualifying for the retention of their temporary trade rank within the above period, when considering whether or not they are fit to be recommended for substantive promotion to that rank.
Aircrew to whom this order applies, who are eligible for the conditions of service set out in para. 24 of AMO A918/45, and para. 2 of AMO A997/45, will at present remain eligible for those conditions, so long as they continue to fulfil the terms on which they are granted generally. It is pointed out, however, that the above conditions were devised to meet a temporary situation; on their eventual review or withdrawal, airmen now eligible who undertake a further period of service in a regular capacity in a ground trade will lose their present dual aircrew and ground status and mustering and retain only trade rank and status in their ground trade.
The position of ex-regular airmen appointed to emergency commissions, and desirous of re-enlisting as airmen, is governed by AMOs. A482/45, and A1156/45, as amended. On re-enlistment for service on the ground, their temporary trade rank and seniority, which it is considered they would have attained had they served as airmen throughout the war, will be assessed in accordance with the provisions of para. 2 above, applicable to aircrew.
Source - Air Ministry Order A240/46 dated 21 March 1946.
Retention on the Roster of Airmen Recommended for Flying Training
(This order affects para. 1081 of AP 837)
Entry to flying training which has virtually remained in suspense since the Publication of AMO A146/45, as amended by A.647/45, will be re-opened within the next few months. Aircrew requirements were drastically reduced with the end of the Japanese war and many aircrew, both trained and under training, were and are being withdrawn and declared redundant. Details of the conditions of aircrew employment in the peace-time air force will be announced as soon as possible, but, until these have been published and selections made, it is necessary to ensure that entrants to flying training from now on will be available for aircrew employment during the interim period until the Royal Air Force has contracted to its peace-time size. Entry to flying training will therefore be contingent on satisfying more stringent conditions of eligibility and on undertaking a short term engagement in the regular air force under the provisions of AMO A1153/45, as amended. Applicants under that order will, as announced in Newpayform No 3, be eligible in due course for consideration for selection for longer engagement, including for pensionable service, as aircrew in the peace-time, air force, subject to detailed regulations which will be published as soon as possible.
The wartime arrangement whereby candidates for aircrew
employment were recruited direct from civil life has been suspended though
it will be resumed under the proposed peace-time arrangements in respect of
future candidates for the
pilot and navigator categories. Meanwhile, candidates from civil life
who can satisfy the current standards of age and medical fitness and who are
willing on entry to flying training to undertake a regular engagement are
required to enlist in the first instance for an appropriate ground trade,
pending absorption into flying training, on enlistment they are included on
the roster of candidates for flying training.
The aircrew deferred list of recruits who were attested specifically for training has been dispersed, but those recruits who satisfied the raised acceptance standards and who signified their willingness to undertake, on entry to flying training a regular engagement, were given the option of remustering and recall for ground service and have been included on the roster of candidates for flying training.
It is now necessary to apply the raised standards of age and medical fitness and the regular engagement contingency to airmen already recommended for flying training under AMO A146/45, as amended by A647/45, and, for the time being, no further applications under that order should be submitted. This review will result in many airmen having their names removed from the roster of candidates for flying training and this will doubtless be a source of disappointment. The response to the repeated calls made during the war for airmen to volunteer for aircrew has been most gratifying and it is a matter for regret that circumstances have prevented advantage being taken of all the applications. Airmen who are retained on the roster may expect to begin training during 1946.
The provisions of AMO A146/45, as amended by A647/45, are therefore suspended until further notice although recommendations in transit at the date of publication of this order will be accepted. After existing recommendations have been reviewed as indicated in the following paragraphs, recommendations will again be invited either under the provisions of that order or under a revised procedure for the selection of serving airmen candidates for aircrew employment in the post-war air force.
Composition of roster of airmen awaiting flying training. - The roster contains the following categories: -
Airmen initially enlisted for ground duties who subsequently volunteered for aircrew.
Ex-aircrew cadets who voluntarily remustered to ground duties when delayed in training and whose names were added to the roster.
Ex-aircrew cadets declared redundant under AMO A918/45, as amended
Ex-aircrew recruits who voluntarily remustered to ground duties from deferred service and whose names were added to the roster.
Airmen enlisted in a ground trade on or after 22nd October 1945, after provisional selection for flying training by an Aviation Candidates Selection Board.
Medical standards -
Airmen who have not yet commenced ITW training.- The minimum standard for entry to initial aircrew training is now A1B or A3B, combined with unaided visual acuity of not less than 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other. The names of airmen who did not attain this medical standard on volunteering for aircrew will be removed from the roster, unless, following application for a further board, they are found to satisfy the current standards. Airmen of the requisite standard will be required to undergo a further medical examination or medical board, as appropriate before beginning flying training.
Partly trained airmen - The medical standards of airmen who in the past have completed at least one stage of flying training, including ITW training, remain unchanged but, in selection for re-entry to training, priority may be given to airmen with the higher medical standard detailed in sub-para.. (i) above.
Upper age limit. - Airmen who had attained the ages shown below, by 1st January 1946, are no longer eligible for flying training and their names will be removed from the roster
Those under para 6, sub-paras. (i), (iv) and (v) above - 27th birthday
Those under para 6, sub-paras. (ii) and (iii) above - 30th birthday
Regular engagement -
As notified in AMO A1153/45, as amended, it is intended to limit entry to flying training until further notice to airmen who are prepared to continue their service in peace time under the conditions contained in that order.
Airmen referred to in para. 6, sub-para. (iii) above have had the opportunity of applying for extended service under the order and the names of those who have not applied or whose applications are rejected will be removed from the roster,
Airmen referred to in para. 6, sub-paras. (i), (ii), (iv) and (v) above, who are eligible under the revised medical and age standards and who, if finally selected for flying training, are willing to continue their service under AMO A1153/45, as amended, should renew their applications for such training forthwith. The names of those who do not renew their applications will be removed from the roster.
Method of application. -
Applications referred to in para. 9, sub-para. (iii), above are to be submitted in the form shown in Appendix A to this order (copies of which are to be prepared by units) and are to be forwarded by the CO of the unit, on whose strength applicants are held, to group headquarters, for onward transmission to Air Officer i/c Records, Gloucester, with a covering nominal roll. Applications are to be forwarded by the following closing dates
From home commands - within one month of the date of
publication of this order.
From overseas commands - within two months of the date of publication of
this order.
Candidates provisionally selected for flying training by an Aviation Candidates Selection Board after the date of this order are to submit, at the selection centre, an application in the form shown in Appendix B to this order. Completed forms are to be forwarded to the Air Officer i/c Records, Gloucester.
Final selection. - Applicants under para. 10 above will later be drafted by the Air Officer i/c Records to a selection centre for aptitude testing and interview, and those finally selected for flying training will be required to submit an application for extended service under AMO A1153/45 in the form shown in Appendix B, as amended, to that order. Provisional enlistment will then be arranged and subsequently entry to training, a forecast of the date of which will be given before an airman is required to submit the application for extended service. The names of airmen not finally selected will be removed from the roster.
Notifications. - The Air Officer i/c Records will notify units of airmen whose names are removed from the roster and of airmen whose names are retained on the roster.
Airmen already serving on regular engagements, if still desirous of flying training, should submit applications under this order, irrespective of the period of their unexpired service, to ensure that their names are not removed from the roster under para. 9, sub-para. (ii), above.
Except as provided in para. 7, sub-para. (ii), above, the order of eventual entry to flying training in each aircrew category will be determined as far as practicable by the date of original acceptance by the Aviation Candidates Selection Board.
Off-prints of this order are being distributed and should be displayed on each unit notice board,
APPENDIX A
RETENTION ON FLYING TRAINING ROSTER
(Para. 10, sub-para. (i) of AMO A277/46 refers)
I
No...................................... Name................................................................................
Rank or classification ................................. Trade ........................................................
Date of birth........................... Nature of current engagement.........................................
Age and service group ..................................................................................................
II
DECLARATION
I, the above-named airman, at present serving in the Royal Air Force, hereby make application to be retained on the roster of serving airmen awaiting entry to flying training
If finally selected for such training, I intend to apply to continue my service in accordance with the terms of AMO A1153/45, as amended.
Airman's signature in full ...........................................................................................
Unit commander's signature ......................................................................................
Date................................. 19
Unit...................................................
Station....................................................Note - Airmen previously withdrawn from flying duties or training on discipline or technical grounds and not subsequently included on the roster are ineligible to apply under this order.
APPENDIX B
RETENTION ON FLYING TRAINING ROSTER
(Para. 10, sub-para. (ii) of AMO A277/46 refers)
I
No...................................... Name................................................................................
Rank or classification ................................. Trade ........................................................
Date of birth........................... Nature of current engagement.........................................
II
DECLARATION
I, the above-named airman, at present serving in the Royal Air Force, hereby make application to be placed on the roster of serving airmen awaiting entry to flying training.
If finally selected for such training, I intend to apply to continue my service in accordance with the terms of AMO A1153/45, as amended.
Airman's signature in full ...........................................................................................
Unit commander's signature ......................................................................................
Date................................. 19
Unit...................................................
Station....................................................
Source - Air Ministry Order A277/46 dated 28 March 1946.
Senior Armament Instructors, Air Bombing Instructors, Group I, and Air njnery Instructors, Group rn - Re-allocation of Duties to Navigators (Bomber) and Air Gunners
It has been decided that the duties now assigned to senior armament instructor (fitters (armourer), group I, and armourers, group II), air bombing instructors, group I, and air gunnery instructors, group III, shall be re-allocated to navigators (bomber) and air gunners.
Accordingly, posts which are at present established for fitters (armourer), group I or armourers, group II, and annotated "To be filled by senior armament instructors", air bombing instructors, group I, and air gunnery instructors, group III, will be re-established in the aircrew categories of navigator (bomber) or air gunner, and annotated "To be filled by air bombing instructor or air gunnery instructor ", as appropriate. The posts will, therefore, be filled in future by aircrew who are graduates of the aircrew instructors' courses held at the Empire Air Armament School (which includes the Central Gunnery School).
Some time may elapse before full implementation of the new policy becomes practicable, and in the meantime senior armament instructors, air bombing instructors, group I, and air gunnery instructors, group III, may be employed against the re-established posts.
The senior armament instructors' course has been discontinued.
Consequent on the change, of policy announced above, the trades of air bombing instructor, group I, and air gunnery instructor, group III, are declared obsolescent.
The names of airmen who become surplus to requirements as
members of aircrew become available for instructor duties should be reported
to the Air Officer i/c Records, Gloucester, or to the base personnel staff
officer, as appropriate.
Source - Air Ministry Order A310/46 dated 11 April 1946.
Redundant Flying Personnel Re-allocated to Ground Employment who become Permanently Medically Unfit for Flying Duties
(This order affects Paras. 1095 and 1160 of AP 837)
It has been decided that qualified productive flying personnel, as defined in para 7of AMO A.918/45, who, subsequent to being declared redundant for flying duties and diversion to ground employment under the provisions of that order, become permanently medically unfit for flying duties but fit for ground duties, shall be dealt with follows
Officers - in accordance with AMO A766/41, as amended.
Airmen - in accordance with AMO A191/44, as amended.
Qualified non-productive personnel whose medical unfitness is attributable to service, or who have been employed on ground duties under AMO A918/45 for such a period that they would have become productive but for their having become redundant by the date of their disability, will be granted the conditions of service accorded to productive flying personnel under the above-mentioned Air Ministry Orders. The period in question will normally be a minimum of six months from the date of award of the flying badge.
The following action will be taken for the disposal of personnel as defined in paras 1 and 2 above: -
Officers. - In accordance with para. 1 of AMO A1182/44, as amended, officers will be retained at their units pending disposal instructions from the Air Ministry.
Airmen. - Since no question of re-selection to an alternative aircrew category arises, and the airmen have already been diverted either to their basic trade or to a suitable trade, it will not be necessary for them to proceed to RAF Station, Eastchurch, as laid down in para. 12 of AMO A1182/44, as amended, and they will be retained at their units pending receipt of disposal instructions from the Air Ministry. The CO is to report the circumstances of the airman's permanent medical unfitness to the AOC, forwarding, at the same time, all relevant service and training documents. The AOC is to forward the CO's report and accompanying documents to the Air Ministry (P.7). Disposal instructions will be issued by the Air Ministry.
The consequential amendments to AMO A1182/44, as amended, are contained AMO A316/46.
Source - Air Ministry Order A314/46 dated 11 April 1946.
Selection of Qualified Flying Personnel for Training in an Alternative Flying Category
Under arrangements promulgated during the war by letter to all commands and groups it was possible for flying personnel who had completed an operational tour of duty to volunteer for training in an alternative flying category. These arrangements were subsequently placed in abeyance, though the waiting list of those whose applications for such alternative training had been approved was retained. It has now been decided, in view of the present restricted training facilities available, to cancel this waiting list, and training in alternative flying categories will in future be authorised only to meet Service requirements (e.g., the re-training of GD officers appointed to permanent commissions who are not already qualified as pilots or any necessary re-training of aircrew granted extended service engagement's, to another category). Individual applications for training in an alternative flying category will not, therefore, be entertained.
Air Ministry letters reference A5151/39/S.10(b) dated 23rd February 1944, and 31st December 1944, are cancelled accordingly.
Off-prints of this order are being distributed and are to be displayed on each unit notice board.
Source - Air Ministry Order A473/46 dated 30 May 1946.
Aircrew in the Post-War Royal Air Force
(This order affects paras. 1154 and 1156 of AP 837)
1. - INTRODUCTION
The provisions of this order apply to -
(a) all aircrew who are currently employed on flying duties;
(b) all redundant aircrew who have been or who may be accepted for extended service under AMO A1153/45, as amended.
They do not apply to redundant aircrew who have not been accepted, or who do not apply, for extended service under AMO A1153/45, as amended, in respect of whom separate instructions will be issued in due course.
II. - AIRCREW CATEGORIES, RECRUITMENT AND ENGAGEMENTS
A. - FUTURE CATEGORIES, RECR1TMENT AND ENGAGEMENTS
General
As stated in the Government White Paper (Command 6715) on the post-war code of pay, allowances, pensions and gratuities for members of the forces below officer rank, as amplified by Newpayform No 3, it has been decided to re-organise the categories of aircrew in the post-war Royal Air Force. The proportion of flying posts filled by officers will be reduced and a substantially larger number will be filled by recruits entered direct from civil life and from airmen selected from within the service for flying training. There will be five main aircrew categories in the regular air force which will be known as -
pilots
navigators
signallers (A)
engineers (A)
gunners (A)
Signallers (A), engineers (A) and gunners (A) will be selected from airmen who are mustered in related ground trades in group A. It is also proposed to make provision, as a matter of long term policy, for a limited number of personnel to be selected from the RAF Regiment for a tour of duty as straight air gunners; separate instructions will be issued regarding the arrangements which will apply to these.
The basic qualifications required for the five main categories will be as follows
Pilot - trained basically in flying and to a high standard in navigation; general knowledge of other aircrew duties appropriate to the aircraft on which employed
Navigator - trained basically in navigation and bomb-aiming; in the operation of radar equipment and in air gunnery; a proportion to be trained in (i) meteorological air observer duties, (ii) navigator (radio) duties in two-seater aircraft. A proportion of squadron navigation officers and bombing leaders to be drawn from this category.
Signaller (A) - trained in operation of airborne radar, W/T and R/T equipment, procedure and codes; capable of taking part in maintenance and inspection of airborne radio equipment; trained in an gunnery as a fighting member of the crew. The senior signaller in a big crew to be responsible to the captain for training and efficiency of others. Signals leaders to be drawn ultimately from this category.
Engineer (A) - trained in engine management and range flying; maintenance of flight log; capable of taking part in maintenance and inspection of aircraft and engines; execution of emergency repairs in the air; trained in air gunnery as fighting member of crew. Engineer leaders to be drawn ultimately from this Category.
Gunner (A) - armourer trained in air firing and defensive tactics, special methods of sighting, manipulation of turrets, loading, and fusing of bombs, calibration of guns and bomb-sights. Capable of taking part in maintenance and inspection of turrets and all airborne armament equipment appropriate to armourer trade. Senior gunner in a big crew responsible to captain for training and efficiency of others. Gunnery leaders to be drawn ultimately from this category.
There will be a period of transition before it becomes possible to change over completely to the new categories referred to in para. 2 above. Provision will therefore be made temporarily in the regular air force for aircrew of a lower degree of technical skill than those recruited from group A, and similar arrangements will in due course apply to aircrew in the non-regular air forces. These categories which will be trained to standards broadly comparable to those in force for war-time entrants to the wireless operator (air), and flight engineer categories, and for war-time air gunners drawn from armourers (group II) will be known as
signallers (B)
engineers (B)
gunners (B)
and in the regular air force will normally be selected from airmen who are mustered in related ground trades in group B. War-time air gunners without appropriate trade experience will be transferred to a temporary category of gunner (D),
Engagements
Pilots and navigators. - They will be recruited mainly direct from civil life and will be entered on engagements for five years on the active list followed by four years on the reserve. They will be eligible to be considered for re-engagement, to complete 22 years service for pension, after four years and three months' total service (i.e., after approximately two years' productive service). A limited number of airmen will be selected for training as pilots and navigators during their first three years' of service in a ground trade, and a very limited number of aircrew in the signaller, engineer and gunner categories will also be so selected. Unless chosen for commissions they will remain in the pilot and navigator categories for the balance of their initial engagements. They will be eligible to be considered for re-engagement to complete 22 years' service for pension as aircrew. No arrangements will be made to keep them in practice in their basic trade.
Signallers (A), engineers (A) and gunners (A). - They will be required to take part in the servicing, maintenance and inspection of their equipment on the ground and will therefore be selected from airmen serving on engagements of twelve years who have been employed for a period in the appropriate group A trade. They will serve as aircrew for five years, and will then normally resume their career in their trade, in which they will have been required to maintain their skill by the nature of their duties as aircrew. They will remain liable to recall to aircrew service in an emergency and for a period not exceeding four years, will be required and given facilities to keep reasonably up to date in their aircrew category.
Signallers (B), engineers (B) and gunners (B). - They will be selected from airmen serving on initial engagements of twelve years, but in the appropriate group (B) trades. Their period of aircrew service will be as for aircrew (A) in para. 6 above. It is not at present the intention, however, to impose upon them a liability to maintain themselves in practice as aircrew after reversion to ground duties.
B - TRANSFER OF EXISTING AIRCREW AND AIRCREW CANDIDATES TO THE NEW CATEGORIES
Pilot, navigators (all categories) and air bombers
Aircrew in those categories other than those on terminal leave will be absorbed in the post-war pilot and navigator categories as from 1st July 1946, under the arrangements set out in paras. 9 and 10 below. Pilots may require further training in navigation and navigators, in some cases, in additional navigation and in some cases in air bombing and this will be given when it can be arranged. Those air bombers who are still active aircrew will be converted to navigators as opportunity arises, and subject to this they be eligible for the same treatment as navigators.
Regular aircrew. -
Those who have not, in any case, applied or been accepted for extended service as aircrew under AMO A1153/45, as amended, will normally be offered the choice of: -
applying for three years' regular and four years' reserve service as aircrew under the above-mentioned order whatever the length of the unexpired portion of their current regular engagements. Those accepted will be eligible, not later than 2 years after the commencement of extended service, for consideration for re-engagement as aircrew to complete 22 years' service reckonable for pension. Approval of re-engagement will involve the cancellation of the special conditions as regards gratuity, etc, attaching to extension of service under AMO A1153/45, as amended; or
return to their basic trade. Those who choose this alternative, or whose applications for extended service are rejected, may be required to continue to serve as aircrew temporarily, but this will depend on service requirements and the final response to AMO A1153/45, as amended. They will be eligible, on returning to their basic trade, for extension of service, etc., under AMO A605/44, as amended and amplified by AMO A240/46 (or any subsequent regulations), and to assume therein the rank they would have attained but for their employment on aircrew duties under the arrangements promulgated in the latter order.
Airmen who elected for continuous service as aircrew under AMO A17/39, as amended, will, subject to suitability, continue to serve as aircrew; they will be eligible to apply for extended service under AMO A1153/45, as amended, and subsequently for re-engagement as aircrew on the terms set out in sub-para. (a) (i) above.
Aircrew on temporary engagements. - They will be eligible for consideration for extended service under AMO A1153/45, as amended, and subsequently for re-engagement in accordance with para. 9, sub-para. (a) (i) above. Should they not desire to apply they may be declared redundant (their retention on aircrew duties pending release being dependent on service requirements and the final response to AMO A1153/45). They will then be eligible for consideration for enlistment under AMO A605/44, as amended, and amplified by AMO A240/46 (or any subsequent regulations).
Future entries to aircrew training. -
Those not yet entered into the Royal Air Force. They will be dealt with as in para. 5 above.
Those already entered into the Royal Air Force. - They comprise -
airmen initially enlisted for ground duties who subsequently volunteered for aircrew;
ex-aircrew cadets who voluntarily remustered to ground duties when delayed in training
ex-aircrew cadets declared redundant under AMOs A486/45, A.552/45, and A918/45, as amended;
ex-aircrew recruits who voluntarily remustered to ground duties from deferred service;
airmen enlisted in a ground trade on or after 22nd October 1945, after provisional selection for flying training by an Aviation Candidates Selection Board whose names are held on a roster of serving airmen awaiting entry or re-entry to flying training. In accordance with AMO A277/46, those who do not satisfy the revised age limits and medical standards and who are not applicants or intending applicants for extended service will be removed from the roster. Those who are finally accepted for extended service will subsequently be eligible for re-engagement in accordance with para. 9, sub-pare. (a) (i) above.
Wireless/operator mechanics (air), wireless operators (air), flight engineers and air gunners
Regular aircrew. -
(a) Those remustered to aircrew from basic trades in group I or who have acquired group I status in the course of their aircrew service (e.g., wireless Operators (air) re-mustered as wireless operator mechanics (air)) will be offered the choice of the following alternatives, subject to suitability: -
Absorption in the category of signaller (A), engineer (A) or gunner (A), as appropriate, and reversion to their basic trade on completion of a tour of aircrew duty in accordance with the post-war scheme. They will be ineligible for extended service gratuity under AMO A1153/45, as amended, or for re-engagement for long service as aircrew.
Consideration for service as signaller (A), engineer (A) or gunner A) under AMO A1153/45, as amended, if they have not already applied or been accepted, whatever the length of the unexpired portion of their current regular engagement and transfer to the reserve on completion of their period of three years' regular service under that order.
Return to their basic trade. Those who choose this alternative or who a unsuitable for (i) and (ii) above, may be required to serve as aircrew (A) temporarily but this will depend on service requirements and the final response to AMO A1153/45, as amended.
Aircrew who revert to their basic trade under alternative (i) or (iii) above will be eligible for extension of service, etc., under AMO A605/44, as amended and amplified by A.240/46 (or any subsequent regulations), and to assume therein the rank they would have attained but for their employment on aircrew duties, under the arrangements promulgated in the latter order.
Those mustered to aircrew from other trade groups will be offered the choice of: -
absorption in the category of signaller (B) or engineer (B) as appropriate, or if they are air gunners remustered from armourer group II, gunner (B), and reversion to their basic trade on completion of a tour of aircrew duty in accordance with the post-war scheme. They will be ineligible for extended service gratuity under AMO A1153/45, as amended, or for re-engagement for long service as aircrew. Gunners with no appropriate trade experience are ineligible, for absorption in this manner.
consideration for service as signaller (B), or engineer (B), or if they are air gunners remustered from armourer group II, gunner (B), or, if they are air gunners with no appropriate trade experience, gunner (B), under AMO A1153/45, as amended, if they have not already applied or been accepted, whatever the length of the unexpired portion of their regular engagements; and transfer to the reserve on completion of their period of three years' regular service under that order.
return to their basic trade, Those who choose this alternative or who are unsuitable for (i) and (ii) above, may be required to serve as aircrew (B) or (D) temporarily but this will depend on service requirements and the final response to AMO A1153/45, as amended.
Aircrew who revert to their basic trade under alternative (i) or (iii) above, will be eligible for extension of service, etc., under AMO A605/44, as amended and amplified by A240/46 (or any subsequent regulations,), and to assume therein the rank, they would have attained but for their employment on aircrew duties, under the arrangements promulgated in the latter order.
Aircrew on temporary engagements. - They will be eligible for consideration for extended service under AMO A1153/45, as amended, as signallers (A), engineers (A) or gunners (A), if remustered from basic trades in group I or signallers (B) and engineers (B), if remustered from other trade groups, or direct entrants, and gunners (B), if remustered from armourer group II, or gunners (B), if remustered from trades other than a group I trade or armourer group II, or direct entrants. They will subsequently be eligible for the alternatives set out in para. 15 below. Should they not desire to apply, they may be declared redundant, their retention on aircrew duties pending release being dependant on service requirements and the final response to AMO A1153/45, as amended. T hey will then he eligible for consideration for enlistment under AMO A605/44, as amended and amplified by A240/46 (or any subsequent regulations).
14. Future entries to aircrew training.
Those not yet entered into the Royal Air Force - These will he dealt with as in paras, 6 and 7 above.
Those already entered into the Royal Air Force. They are listed in para. 11, sub-para. (b) above and if retained on the roster of candidates for flying training they will be dealt with as indicated in paras. 12 and 13 above.
Position of aircrew who have already submitted an application. or been accepted for extended service at the date of this order, and aircrew accepted for extended service under para 9, sub-para. (a) (i), 10, 11, sub-para. (b) and 13 above.
They may choose to be transferred to the reserve under the provisions of' AMO A1153/45, as amended, on the completion of three years' regular service, or
in the ease of pilots and navigators, they may in due course be considered for' re-engagement in accordance with the provisions of para 9, sub-para. (a). (i) above or
in the case of signallers, engineers and gunners they may, provided they have group I qualifications, choose to be absorbed in the, appropriate category of signaller, engineer or gunner (A) in the same manner as regular airmen with such qualifications under para 12, sub-para (a) (i) above. Those who choose to do so will be ineligible for extended service gratuity and will be required to extend their service under AMO A605/44, as amended and amplified by A240/46 (or any subsequent regulations) for such a period as will enable them to complete a total of twelve years' man's service. On reversion to their basic trade they will receive further training. Other signallers and engineers, including direct entrants (and gunners with a basic trade as armourer) may also extend their service under AMO A605/44, as amended and amplified by A240/46 (or any subsequent regulations), for such a period as will enable them to complete a total of twelve years' man's service, Those who do so will revert to the appropriate group B trade without extended gratuity on completion of three years' service as signallers, engineers and gunners (B) with opportunities to convert to group A tradesmen.
Aircrew electing for three years' regular and four years' reserve service under AMO A1153/45, as amended, who are serving on current regular engagements will be required to extend or prolong their engagements under pares. 611 and 611A of KR & ACI, where applicable. The current engagements of regular aircrew with seven or more years to serve will be varied so as to enable them to complete three years' active list service and the balance of their engagements on the reserve under the terms of AMO A1153/45.
III - RANKS AND PROMOTION ARRANGEMENTS
A - LONG TERM ARRANGEMENTS
The special position of aircrew will be recognised by the institution of a new system of ranks, each with its own title and badge. The new ranks, both for aircrew (A) and (B) will be as follows: -
Cadet pilot, navigator, signaller, engineer and gunner, i.e., under training.
Pilot, navigator,
signaller, engineer and gunner IV.
Pilot, navigator, signaller, engineer and gunner III.
Pilot, navigator, signaller, engineer and gunner II.
Pilot, navigator, signaller, engineer and gunner I.
Master pilot, navigator, signaller, engineer and gunner.
Aircrew will be known individually by the title of their rank and category
(e.g., master pilot, navigator I, gunner III, etc.), and generically as
aircrew, not as NCOs or aircraftmen. Separate instructions will be
issued in due course regarding the introduction of the flying badges and
rank markings appropriate to the new categories.
It is necessary, however, to relate aircrew to ranks in the ground trades for certain purposes, e.g., marriage allowance, basic pension rates, etc. For these purposes master aircrew will correspond to warrant officer in the ground trades, aircrew I to flight sergeant, aircrew II to sergeant, and aircrew III and IV to corporal.
The normal career for aircrew (A) and (B) will be as follows: - Aircrew will be promoted pilot, etc., IV, on the completion of basic training, and will be promoted to pilot, etc, III, on completion of operational training. Further promotion will be governed by a combination of time, proficiency and establishment factors, promotion to pilot, etc, II, normally taking place during the fifth year of aircrew service, and promotion to pilot, etc., I, during the ninth year though outstanding aircrew will be eligible for earlier promotion. All pilots and navigators will qualify for master rank during re-engaged service, subject to suitability and medical fitness. Aircrew in the signaller, engineer and gunner categories will thus not normally reach more than aircrew II rank, except a limited number who will return for a second tour of aircrew duty, mainly to provide instructional staff for training establishments. Separate instructions will be issued regarding the procedure for the promotion of aircrew.
B - ABSORPTION OF EXISTING AIRCREW
It is pointed out in Command 6715 and Newpayform No 3, that the introduction of the new aircrew policy will involve a number of special problems, and it will not be possible to change over completely to the new scheme, which is primarily long term, on the date of the introduction of the new pay code. A fundamental feature of the scheme is that it involves a reduction in the number of aircrew categories, and consequently a considerably wider range of skill and training in each category. Special arrangements will be necessary for the conversion of the majority of serving aircrew selected for regular service in the new categories, and some time must elapse before the necessary retraining can be given; meanwhile, when the new pay code comes into force on 1st July 1946, qualified aircrew will be transferred to the new ranks appropriate to their training and length of service, but
war service prior to 2nd September 1945 (the date of the surrender of Japan) as qualified aircrew, i.e., subsequent to the award of the flying badge, will count as double for this purpose, and
no qualified aircrew will be transferred to a rank below aircrew II (sergeant)
Aircrew with more than 7½ years' qualifying service as at 1st July 1946, reckoned as above, will become aircrew I; while aircrew with less than 7½ years' qualifying service will become aircrew II and subject to satisfactory service, will be promoted to aircrew I on completing 7½ years'' qualifying service. Service in equivalent or higher aircrew rank held before 1st July 1946, will, in accordance with the normal practice, count increments in the rank to which aircrew are transferred, but war service will not count as double for this purpose. The present provision for time promotion will cease with effect from 1st July, 1946, and promotion thereafter will be governed by the further instruction which will be issued in accordance with para. 19 above.
A number of posts will be established from the outset in the rank of master aircrew and further instructions will be issued as soon as possible in regard to the method by which aircrew will be recommended and selected to fill these posts.
IV - PAY AND MARRIAGE ALLOWANCE
Qualified aircrew. - The daily rates of pay of qualified aircrew will be as follows: -
| Rank | Pilots and navigators | Signallers, engineers and gunners | Gunners D | |||||
| A | B | |||||||
| s | d | s | d | s | d | s | d | |
| Pilot, etc, IV | 10 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 9 |
| Pilot, etc, III | 12 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 6 |
| Pilot, etc, III over 4 years | 13 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 0 |
| Pilot, etc, II | 15 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 6 |
| Pilot, etc, II over 4 years | 15 | 6 | 15 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Pilot, etc, II over 8 years | 16 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 13 | 6 |
| Pilot, etc, II over 12 years | 16 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Pilot, etc, II over 16 years | 17 | 0 | 16 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 6 |
| Pilot, etc, I | 17 | 6 | 17 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Pilot, etc, I over 4 years | 18 | 0 | 17 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 6 |
| Pilot, etc, I over 8 years | 18 | 6 | 18 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Pilot, etc, I over 12 years | 19 | 0 | 18 | 6 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 6 |
| Pilot, etc, I over 16 years | 19 | 6 | 19 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Master pilot, etc | 20 | 0 | 19 | 6 | 17 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Master pilot, etc over 4 years | 21 | 6 | 21 | 0 | 18 | 6 | 18 | 6 |
| Master pilot, etc over 8 years | 23 | 0 | 22 | 6 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
Good conduct pay will be granted in addition to the above rates after five and ten years' man's service at the rate of 6d a day in each case.
Aircrew cadets.
Subject to sub-para. (b) below, aircrew cadets will be paid the recruits rats of pay (4s a day) during the initial stage of training. Thereafter, and they qualify as pilot, etc., IV or are granted commissions, they will be paid at the rate of 5s a day. In addition, as from the commencement of flying training, they will be paid flying instructional pay at the rate of 2s a day; grading courses will not reckon as flying training for this purpose.
Serving airmen who are selected for aircrew training will be paid at the rate of pay appropriate to their rank or classification and group, together with flying instruction pay as in sub-para. (a) above.
Marriage allowance and qualifying allotments. - Detailed instructions will issued in a separate Air Ministry Order.
War excesses -
The war excess of aircrew who are assimilated to the new ranks will be calculated on the basis of the difference between the pay of the temporary rank held on 30th June 1946, and that of the new aircrew rank granted on 1st July 1946. A similar arrangement will apply to marriage allowance.
If an airman is transferred from an aircrew category to a ground trade and if the rate of war excess which would have been payable if the change had occurred before 1st July 1946, is less than the war excess already in payment the lesser amount will become payable.
Aircrew cadets who commenced the Initial Training Wing course before 19th December 1945, and who qualify as aircrew IV after 30th June 1946, will be granted war excess on pay at the rate which would have been payable if they had been promoted to the rank of sergeant on qualifying before 1st July 1946. Marriage allowance will, however, be payable at the rate applicable to aircrew IV, i.e., the corporal's rate.
Detailed instructions regarding war excesses generally, will be issued in a separate Air Ministry Order.
Aircrew who re-enlist on or after 1st July 1946, after a break in service will be grated the new aircrew ranks on the basis of the formula in para. 10 above but will not be entitled to war excess.
War gratuity entitlement will be settled on the basis of the ranks which would have been attained had the existing provisions (a) for promotion to sergeant on award of the flying badge, and (b) for time promotion to flight sergeant and warrant officer continued in force until 15th August 1946. Aircrew accepted for extended service engagements will be be eligible for extended service gratuity of £150, notwithstanding the fact that their rank on passing out of training will, after 30th June 1946 be aircrew IV and not sergeant.
V - ELIGIBILITY OF AIRCREW FOR COMMISSIONS FOR THE POST-WAR AIR FORCE
All aircrew in the post-war air force will be eligible for consideration for commissions. Separate instructions will be issued regarding the arrangements which will apply.
VI - LIABILITY FOR TRAINING OF SIGNALLERS, ENGINEERS, AND GUNNERS ON RETURNING TO THEIR TRADE, AND ELIGIBILITY FOR FLYING BOUNTY
Signallers (A), engineers (A), and gunners (A) will be required to keep reasonably up to date in their aircrew category for a period not exceeding four years after return to their trade. Those who complete the requisite training, details of which will be promulgated later, will be paid a flying bounty at the rate of £12 a year for a period not exceeding four years.
VII - PENSIONS AND GRATUITIES
Direct entrant pilots and navigators transferred to the reserve on completion of a five years' engagement will be paid a gratuity of £200, in addition to the 28 days' leave and outfit that all regulars will receive on completion of their engagement. No special provision will be made for signallers, engineers and gunners since they will revert to their trade with the prospect either of re-engaging for a long career in the service, or of the normal gratuity if they do not re-engage after twelve years. Pilots and navigators who are re-engaged on completion of their initial engagement to complete 22 years' service will, subject to detailed regulations, be eligible for pension on the normal scale set out in Command 6715 and will, in addition, qualify for a special addition to the service element of pension at the rate of 8d a, week, for each year of service while employed on aircrew duties, i.e., 14s 8d a week, on completion of 22 years' service, if employed throughout on such duties, in addition to pension on the normal scale.
VIII - ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Candidates for service under AMO A1153/45, as amended, who come within the provision of para. 9, sub-paras. (a) (i) and (b), paras. 10, 12, sub-paras. (a) (ii) and (b) (u) and para. 13 above and redundant aircrew who wish to apply for extended service should submit applications in the manner prescribed in para. 13 of AMO A1153/45, as amended, if they have not already done so.
Regular aircrew who are eligible and elect for absorption in
the new categories of signaller, engineer and gunner. (A) and (B) under
para. 12, sub-paras. (a) (i) and (b) (i) and signallers, engineers and
gunners (A) or (B) accepted for service under AMO A1153/45 as amended, who
are eligible and elect to be absorbed in a similar manner under para 15,
sub-para. (b) above, will complete the appropriate form reproduced at the
Appendix to this order (copies of which are to be prepared by units). The
forms are to be forwarded (Arup headquarters, who will forward them to the
Air Officer i/o Records, Gloucester
A2 Section), with a covering nominal roll, copies of which are to be
forwarded to command headquarters and the Air Ministry (DGP II). In
the case of aircrew who elect under para. 15, sub-para. (b) above to extend
their current engagement of three years regular and four years' reserve
service under AMO A1153/45, to a total of twelve years' man's service under
AMO A605/44, as amended and amplified by A240/46, the above mentioned forms
of application will be accompanied by an application in the form laid down
in Appendix A to AMO A605/44 as amended, which will be dealt with by the Air
Officer i/c Records, Gloucester (A2 Section), in the usual manner. The
ultimate reversion to their trade of aircrew to whom this paragraph refers
will be the subject of further Instructions In due course.
Regular aircrew who elect to return to their basic trade under paras. 9, sub-para (a) (ii). 12, sub-para. (a) (iii) or (b) (iii) above, will complete the appropriate form reproduced at the Appendix to this order (copies of which are to he prepared by units) The forms are to be forwarded to group headquarters, who will dispose of them in the manner as those submitted under para. 32 above (including the submission of rolls). Further instructions will be issued in due course in respect of these airmen as and when service requirements permit; their return to their basic trades.
Aircrew serving on non-regular engagements, who do not desire to apply for extended service and who are liable to be declared redundant, will continue to be subject to current instructions regarding redundancy.
COs are to ensure that all necessary action under paras. 32 and 33 above is carried out in time for completed forms and nominal rolls to be forwarded as follows
Home commands ... ... within 5 weeks of the date of publication of this order
Overseas commands ... ... within 8 weeks of the date of publication of this orderParticular care is to be taken that all aircrew serving on regular engagements submit an application under para, 31, 32 or 33 above, unless they have already applied for or are serving on engagements under AMO A1153/45, as amended, and desire either: -
transfer to the reserve, on completion of their period of three years' regular service under that order; or
if eligible, re-engagement for long service reckonable towards pension as aircrew. Separate instructions will be issued regarding such re-engagement.
COs are to remuster the undermentioned classes of aircrew with effect from 1st July 1946, to the appropriate new category, under this order, and will furnish a complete list of personnel so remustered together with particulars of their new ranks to the Air Ministry (DGP II)
All those who are currently employed on flying duties.
All redundant aircrew who have been accepted for Service under AM0 A1153/45, as amended.
Remustering will be in the rank determined by the formula in para. 20 above.
Aircrew cadets other than those declared redundant are to be remustered with effect from 1st July 1946, to the rank of cadet in the category in which they will ultimately qualify under this order.
APPENDIX
I. Form for use under para. 32 above.
Application for absorption in the category of signaller (A), engineer (A), or gunner (A); signaller (B), engineer (B), or gunner (B), under para. 12, sub-paras. (a) (i) and (b) (i) and para. 15, sub-para. (ii) of AMO A492/46.
Number .............................................................. Rank ....................................... Name ..........................................................................
I, the above-named airman, at present serving in the Royal Air Force, hereby apply to be absorbed in the post-war aircrew category of ................. on the terms set out in
*para. 12, sub-para. (a) (i)
para. 12, sub-pars. (b) (i) of AMO A492/46.
para. 15, sub-pars. (b)* Delete those not applicable.
Date ..............................Applicant's signature ................................................
Unit ..............................Unit commander's Signature ......................................
Station...........................
II. Form for use under para. 33 above.
Application for return to basic trade under paras. 9, sub-para.. (a) (ii), 12 sub-para (a) (iii) or (b) (iii) of AMO A492/46.
Number .............................................................. Rank ....................................... Name ..........................................................................
I, the above-named airman, at present serving in the Royal Air Force, hereby apply to return from aircrew duties to my basic trade on the terms set out in
*para 9, sub-pars.. (a) (ii)
para. 12, sub-para. (a) (iii) of AMO A492/46.
para. 12, sub-para. (b) (iii)*Delete those not applicable.
Date ..............................Applicant's signature ............................................
Unit...............................Unit commander's signature ...................................
Station...........................
Source - Air Ministry Order A492/46 dated 6 June 1946.
AMO A492/46 is amended as follows:-
Para. 4; line 5. Delete from "These" to end of paragraph and substitute :-
"These categories will be known as signaller (B), engineer (B) and gunner (B). In the regular air force aircrew, mustered in them will normally be selected from airmen mustered in related ground trades in group B, and their basic qualifications will be as follows: -
(a) Signaller (B) Trained in operation of airborne Radar, W/T and R/T equipment, procedure and codes; capable of taking part in minor servicing of airborne radio equipment; training in air gunnery as a fighting member of the crew.
b) Engineer (B) ... Trained in engine management and range flying; maintenance of flight log; capable of taking part in maintenance and inspection of aircraft and engine appropriate to group B tradesman; execution of emergency repairs
in the air; trained in air gunnery as a fighting member of the crew.Gunner (B) Armourer trained in air firing and defensive tactics, special methods of sighting and manipulation of turrets; capable of taking part in the maintenance of all airborne armament equipment appropriate to the armourer trade.
These categories will absorb war-tune entrants to the wireless operator (air) and flight engineer categories, other than those with group I trade qualifications, and war-time air gunners drawn from armourers (group II). There will also be a temporary category of gunner (D) which will absorb war time air gunners without appropriate trade experience.
(AMO A492/46 amended)
AMO A492/46 is further amended as follows: -
Delete all references to "A1153/45" and substitute "A983/46" throughout the order.
Para. 9, sub-para. (a) (ii), lines 4 to 8. Delete from "They" to end of sub-paragraph and substitute: -
"Notwithstanding such continued aircrew employment, they are eligible for extension of service, etc, under AMO A844/46 and to assume, on returning to their basic trade, the rank they would have attained but for their employment on aircrew duties in accordance with the provisions of AMO A240/46, or any subsequent regulations."
Para. 10 lines 5 to 7, Delete from "They" to end of sub-paragraph and substitute: -
"Those desirous of enlisting for ground duties, notwithstanding their temporary retention on aircrew duties, are eligible to do so under AMO A844/46 as amplified by AMO A152/47, or any subsequent regulations."
Para 12,
Sub-para. (a), last 5 lines. Delete from "Aircrew" to "order." and substitute: -
"Aircrew who revert to their basic trade under alternative (i) or (iii) above are eligible for extension of service, etc, under AMO A844/46 and to assume, on returning to their basic trade, the rank they would have attained but for their employment on aircrew duties, in accordance with the provisions of AMO A240/46, or any subsequent regulations."
Sub-para. (b), last 6 lines. Delete from "Aircrew" to "order." and substitute: -
"Aircrew who revert to their basic trade wider alternative (i) or (iii) above are eligible for extension of service, etc., under AMO A844/46 and to assume on returning to their basic trade, the rank they would have attained but for their
employment on aircrew duties, in accordance with the provisions of AMO A240/46, or any subsequent regulations."
Para. 13, line 9. Delete from "They" to and of paragraph and substitute: -
"Those desirous of enlisting for ground duties, notwithstanding their temporary retention on aircrew duties, are eligible to do so under AMO A844/46 as amplified by AMO A152/47, or any subsequent regulations"
Heading to Para. 15. Delete this heading and substitute: -
"Position of aircrew accepted for extended service"
Para. 15,
Lines 1 and 2. Delete these lines and substitute: -
"They may (except in the case of aircrew who submit an application for extended service under para. 12, sub-paras. (a) (ii) and (b) (ii) above after the date of this order) either choose to be transferred to the reserve under the provisions of AMO A963/46, on the completion of three years' regular service, or"
Sub-para. (b).
Line 6. Delete "A605/44, as amended and " and
substitute: - "A844/46, as"
Lines 10 and 11. Delete "A605/44, as amended and " and substitute:
-"A844/46 as".
Para, 32.
Line 12. Delete "A.605/44 as amended and" and substitute: - "A844/46 as"
Line 14. Delete "A605/44 as amended," and substitute: - "A844/46".
(AMO A492/48, as amended by A853/46, amended)
Source - Air Ministry Order A153/47 dated 27 February 1947.
AMO A492/46 is further amended as follows: -
Delete all references to" AMO A240/46 "and substitute "AMO A152/47", throughout the order.
(AMO A492/48, as amended by A853/46 and A153/47, amended)
Source - Air Ministry Order A210/47 dated 20 March 1947.
Post Graduate Navigation Training
Following the cessation of hostilities, a review of the requirements in the Royal Air Force for personnel with specialised navigation training has called for a series of courses.
There will be four types of post graduate courses, all given at the Empire Air Navigation School; they are: -
Advanced Navigation Course.
Specialist Navigation Course,
Advanced Specialist Navigation Course.
Navigation Refresher Course.
The Advanced Navigation Course
The Advanced Navigation Course, which is of eight weeks' duration for navigators and twelve weeks for pilots, is intended to train suitable pilots and navigators to carry out the duties of squadron navigation officers and junior navigation instructors at various schools throughout the Royal Air Force. It will provide a first step towards qualifying for selection for specialist training.
Students receive instruction which will not only revise and extend basic navigation training but will approach the subjects from an instructional point of view.
Candidates will be required to fulfil the following conditions :-
Be a qualified navigator with not less than 200 navigational flying hours, or a qualified pilot with not less than 300 flying hours.
(i) Be holders of permanent or extended service
commissions, be serving on regular or extended service engagements, or
(ii) Be applicants for permanent or extended service commissions or
extended service engagements, having at least six months to serve after
the completion of the course.
(iii) Be recommended for the course by their CO.
Vacancies on courses will be allotted by the Air Ministry (DP.5) to the commands, who will be responsible for the suitability of the candidates for the posts they are intended to fill on completion of the course.
The assessment of the student will be as follows:
Written examinations in the following subjects:-
| Marks. | |
| Air navigation | 120 |
| Astro navigation | 75 |
| Meteorology | 60 |
| Compasses | 60 |
| Radar and radio aids | 75 |
| Instruments | 60 |
| Maps and air survey | 50 |
| Mathematics | 50 |
| Total | 550 |
An assessment of: -
| Marks. | |
| Practical ability as air navigator | 100 |
| Instructional technique | 300 |
| Potential ability as a staff officer (personality, enthusiasm, bearing, general conduct, etc.). | 50 |
|
Total |
450 |
|
Grand total |
1,000 |
Pass standard. - The pass mark will be fifty per cent in each subject with an aggregate of not less than sixty per cent. A pass with credit will be awarded to graduates obtaining not less than sixty per cent in each subject and not less than seventy-five per cent, aggregate. A distinguished pass may be obtained by graduates who achieve not less than seventy per cent in each subject and a final aggregate of not less than eighty five per cent. These qualifications will be granted only after the approval of the Commandant Empire Air Navigation School. The higher qualifications will be taken to indicate that the graduate is suitable for further advanced training to qualify for more senior staff posts. In addition each student will he categorised as to his ability as an instructor.
The Specialist Navigation Course
The Specialist Navigation Course which is of six months' duration is intended to qualify officers for any navigation staff posts of a non-research nature. A successfull student of this course may be expected to perform the following functions: -
Advise the air staff of the technical developments in navigation aids and instruments, including interpretation systems and maps and charts.
Advise the air staff on the application of the aids and instruments mentioned above.
Give advice on the directions in which research work should be encouraged.
Investigate and initiate new methods of navigation and techniques to fit particular conditions.
Carry out test, research and development work at service units or establishments under the direction of a more highly qualified navigator (see para. 15 below) or a scientist.
Initiate research and development into navigation aids.
Advise the Operational Research Section or its equivalent in connection with the analysis of results of the use of navigational aids and instruments.
Routine work of a navigation officer, e.g., operating instructions, analysis of sorties and supervision of navigation standards and training within operational and non-operational squadrons.
Definition of air staff meteorological requirements at home and overseas; advise on the problems involved, in conjunction with and as affected by international and civil aviation.
Advise the air staff on meteorological problems in relation to operational flights.
Advise the air staff on navigation and meteorological briefing procedure.
In addition he must be a thoroughly competent practical navigator capable of navigating in any part of the world and in any conditions in which it is possible for an aircraft to fly.
All candidates for this course will be required to have: -
passed the Advanced Navigation Course or to hold some equivalent qualification
been recommended for the course by their CO. COs are advised that candidates will need to bring themselves up to matriculation standard in mathematics and physics before commencing the course.
Applications for this course, which is primarily intended for officers holding permanent commissions, but will, however, for the time being, be open to officers who have accepted extended service commissions, must be submitted through the normal channels to the Air Ministry (DP 5). Recommendations from AOCs and AOCs-in.C., should accompany the application.
The assessment of the student will be as follows: -
(a) Written examinations in the following subjects: -
| Marks | |
| Air navigation (theory) and tides | 100 |
| Air navigation (plotting) | 50 |
| Radar and radio aids | 90 |
| Astro Navigation | 80 |
| Compasses | 65 |
| Instruments | 65 |
| Meteorology | 60 |
| Maps and charts | 60 |
|
Total |
570 |
An assessment of: -
| Marks | |
| Instructional technique | 100 |
| Practical ability as an air navigator | 150 |
| Potential ability as a staff officer (personality, enthusiasm, bearing, general conduct, etc) | 90 |
| Potential ability as a staff officer (practical work, preparation of reports, writing of thesis, etc.) | 90 |
| Total | 430 |
| Grand total | 1,000 |
Pass standard. - The pass mark will be fifty per cent in each subject with an aggregate of not less than Sixty per cent. Successful students will be awarded the symbol "N". A student obtaining an aggregate of eighty-five per cent and not less than seventy per cent in any one subject will qualify for a distinguished pass. This qualification will he granted only after the approval of the Commandant, Empire Air Navigation School. In addition each student will be categorised as to his ability as an instructor.
The Advanced Specialist Navigation Course
The Advanced Specialist Navigation Course is intended to produce a small number of officers, trained to a higher standard than the above-mentioned courses, in the fullest detailed theory of existing knowledge. Experience has shown that men with this knowledge, plus ample practical experience, are those most likely to advance knowledge, improve technique and devise means of simplifying practical application.
A successful student of this course may be expected to perform one or more of the functions shown in para. 9 above, except sub-para. (h), and in addition: -
direct test, research and development work at service units or establishments
co-operate with the Operational Research Section, or its equivalent in the analysis of results of the use of navigational aids or instruments.
This course, which is of six months' duration, will be attended by selected graduates who have passed well on the Specialist Navigation Course, having shown ability and aptitude for further specialist training.
This course will follow immediately after the Specialist Navigation Course; the instruction given will to a large extent be on a tutorial basis.
Officers most suited for this course will be those possessing at least a higher school certificate including mathematics and physics, one of which should be a "main" subject, or an equivalent qualification.
Applications for consideration for the Advanced Specialist Navigation Course are invited from officers (pilots or navigators) who should apply for the Specialist Navigation Course giving details of their academic qualifications.
Students who successfully complete this course will be awarded the symbol "N".
The Navigation Refresher Course
The Navigation Refresher Course, which is of four weeks' duration, is intended primarily for navigation specialists of the Royal Air Force and the Commonwealth Air Forces who for one reason or, another are out of touch with the latest developments in navigation. The course is open, however, to other officers of these air forces and also to officers of the other services if they would, benefit from the information and from the experience which the course provides. Officers recommended in either of these two latter cases should be of the rank or of the equivalent rank of a squadron leader in the Royal Air Force.
The aims of the course are: -
to give a survey of new navigation equipment and methods
to provide an opportunity for the exchange of views on the technique and practice of navigation.
Vacancies on the course are allotted to the commands. Applications to be considered for the course should be submitted through the normal channels to command headquarters. For those to whom this does not apply, application should he made to the Air Ministry (DP 5).
There are no examinations but students are assessed on completion of the course.
(AMOs A817/42, A1220/42, A174/43, A675/44 and A1024/45 cancelled)
Source - Air Ministry Order A518/46 dated 13 June 1946.
AMO A518/46 is amended as follows: -
Para. 12.
Sub-para. (a).
Below "Maps and charts ... ... ... 60" insert :--
" Physics " ... ... ... ... ... ... 50
Against total delete "570" and substitute "620"Sub-para. (b).
Line 3. Delete "150" and substitute "100".
Against Total delete "430" and substitute "380"
(AMO A518/46 amended)
AMO A518/46 is amended as follows: -
Para. 20. Delete this paragraph and substitute: -
"20. Students who successfully complete this course, or who have successfully completed Nos 1 - 4 War-time Specialist Navigation (New Series) Courses will be awarded the symbol 'N*'."
(AMO A518/46 amended)
Employment of Redundant Flying Personnel and Aircrew Cadets as Parachute Training Instructors
AMO A1102/45 (currently unavailable) is further amended as follows: -
Para. 3. as inserted by AMO A216/46. Delete, this paragraph and subtitute the following new paragraph 3: -
"3 -Training
Selected candidates will be required to undergo the following course of training: -
| a |
Parachute Selection Course at No 1 Parachute Training School Personnel to be attached to No. 1 Parachute Training School for the course, unsuccessful candidates to be returned to their parent unit and successful candidates to be posted to that school. In the case of airmen the conversion of the attachment of successful candidates into postings will be effected by the Air Officer i/c Records (112), to which office should be notified the names of all successful airman candidates. |
2 weeks. |
| b | Successful candidates referred to in sub-para. (a) above to be attached from No 1 Parachute Training School to the School of Physical Training for the initial Physical Fitness Officer or Physical Training Instructor's Course | 8 weeks. |
| c | Successful candidates to undergo a basic parachute training course at No 1 Parachute Training School | 4 weeks |
| d | Successful candidates to be attached to the Parachute Regiment, ITC, Bulford, as physical fitness officers or physical training instructors | 4 weeks |
| e | Parachute Training Instructors' Course at No 1 Parachute Training School | 22 weeks. |
|
Total training (excluding leave) approximately |
40 weeks. |
All remusterings, promotions, etc., indicated in para. 4 below will be effected by No 1 Parachute Training School, which will arrange the disposal of personnel withdrawn from training at any stage subsequent to the Parachute Selection Course (see sub-para. (i) (a) above) in conjunction with the Air Officer i/c Records (in the case of airmen)."
Para. 6, line 5. Delete "Ringway" and substitute "Upper Heyford ".
(AMO A1102/45, as amended by A216/46, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A545/46 dated 27 June 1946.
Extended Service Scheme for Aircrew
It has been decided to modify the conditions of service for aircrew volunteering to undertake three years' regular and four years' reserve service under the terms of AMO A1153/45, as amended, to take account of the provisions of the scheme announced in AMO A445/46, as amended.
It in notified that the provisions AMO A1153/45, like the scheme announced in AMO A445/46, will remain in operation only for a strictly limited period.
The consequential amendments to AMO A1153/45 are contained in AMO A753/46.
Source - Air Ministry Order A752/46 dated 29 August 1946.
Pilot Training for Officers granted Permanent Commissions in the General Duties Branch
With reference to the statement in para 10, sub-para. (i) of A297/45 as amended by A588/45, that officers selected for appointment to permanent commissions in the general duties branch, who have not qualified as pilots, will required to do so, it should be noted that the provision of facilities for this training is at present under consideration and further information as to the arrangement to be made will be issued in due course.
Pending notification of these arrangements, applications for such training are not be forwarded to the Air Ministry.
Source - Air Ministry Order A766/46 dated 3 September 1946.
War-time Aircrew Categories - Obsoleteness
(This order affects paras. 1004, 1081, 1082, 1154 and 1156 of AP 837)
Consequent upon the introduction of the aircrew categories announced in A3LO A 492/46.. the war time categories of aircrew are obsolete and the following Air nut. Orders (and amendments) relating thereto are hereby cancelled
| Navigators (Radio) - Conditions of Service, etc | AMO A1241/43 |
| Wireless Operators (Air) - Introduction of New Aircrew Category. | AMO A244/44 |
| Air Bomber - Conditions of Service, etc | AMO A358/44 |
| Flight Engineers - Revised syllabus of training and conditions of Service | AMO A565/44 |
| Wireless Operator Mechanic (Air) Introduction of new aircrew category | AMO A916/44 |
| Aircrew Categories of Navigator, Navigator (B) and Navigator (W) - Conditions of Service. | AMO A630/45 |
2. Aircrew who were formerly mustered in the war-time categories and who were remustered to the new categories announced in AMO A492/46 with effect from 1st July 1946, and cadets who subsequently graduate as aircrew IV in the new categories, in accordance with the arrangements set out in that order, will receive any additional training which they may require in consequence o of those changes in accordance with instructions which will be issued from time to time by the Air Ministry.
Details of the baste qualifications required for signallers (B), engineers (B) and gunners (B) are under consideration and will be included in AMO A492/46 in due course.
In conformity with the above arrangements officers at present categorised in the obsolete categories of wireless operator (air), flight engineer, or air gunner will he recategorised forthwith as signallers, engineers, or gunners. The distinction between the signaller, engineer and gunner (A) and (B) categories will not apply in the case of officers.
(AMOs A1241/43, A244/44, A358/44, A441/44, A475/44,
A565/44, A710/44, A719/44, A780/44, A782/44, A916/44, A969/44, A225/45, A246/45,
A256/45, A347/45, A488/45, A630/45, and A777/45 cancelled)
Source - Air Ministry Order A768/46 dated 3 September 1946.
L G Groves Memorial Prizes and Award
The parents of the late Sergeant (Meteorological Air Observer) Louis Grimble Groves, RAFVR, No 517 Squadron, Coastal Command, who was killed while on duty on a meteorological sortie on 10th September 1945, have placed at the disposal of the Air Council a sum of money for the purpose of founding three prizes in his memory. These prizes, which will be known as the L G Groves Memorial Prize for Aircraft Safety, the L G Groves Memorial Prize for Meteorology and the L G Groves Memorial Prize for Meteorological Air Observers, have as their objects the encouragement of the study of the problems of the safety of aircraft and flying personnel, the stimulation of research in the science of meteorology and the application of meteorology to aviation, and the recognition of meritorious work by flying personnel employed on meteorological air observer duties. They will be awarded annually on 1st July, commencing in 1947.
Both the Prizes and the Award will be given at least partly "in kind" and the winners will be consulted as to the precise nature of the object to be presented (e.g. books, instruments, etc) which will be suitably inscribed. If the object selected by the winner does not absorb the whole of the income available that year for the particular Prize, the winner will receive the balance in cash. The names of the winners will, as in the case of winners of other memorial prizes before the war, be recorded from time to time in the Air Force List.
Particulars of the Prizes and the Award
L F Groves Memorial Prize for Aircraft Safety: -
(a) The Prize, which will be of the approximate annual value of £37 10s 0d, will be known as the L G Groves Memorial Prize for Aircraft Safety.
The Prize will be awarded on 1st July each year for the most important contribution made during the past year towards the safety of aircraft and flying personnel, either by practical work or by the writing of constructive papers on such aspects of the problem as:
navigation and technical aids,
air traffic control,
survival and rescue,
signals and radar development,
accident, prevention.
All serving officers and other ranks of the Royal Air Force and the Women's Auxiliary Air Force will be eligible for the Prize.
The Prize will be awarded on the recommendation of a board consisting of: -
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations)
Director of Navigation
Director of Accident Prevention
Deputy Director of Air Traffic Control
Deputy Director of Rescue
The Prize will be accompanied by a certificate signed chairman of the board.
L G Groves Memorial prize for Meteorology: -
The Prize, which will be of the approximate annual value of £25, will be known as the L G Groves Memorial Prize for Meteorology.
The Prize will be awarded on 1st July each year for the most important contribution made during the past year either to the science of meteorology or to the application of meteorology to aviation.
Those eligible for the prize will be: -
All members, male or female, of the Meteorological Office staff.
All serving officers and other ranks of the Royal Air Force and the Women's Auxiliary Air Force,
The Prize will be awarded on the recommendation of a board consisting of: -
Director of the Meteorological Office.
A scientific member of the Meteorological Research Committee.
A senior officer of the Royal Air Force.
(e) The Prize will be accompanied by a certificate signed by the members of the board.
L G Groves Memorial Award for Meteorological Air Observers: -
The Award, which will be of the approximate annual value of £12 l0s 0d, will be known as the L G Groves Memorial Award for Meteorological Air Observers.
The Award will be made on 1st July each year to an officer employed on flying duties or a member of aircrew, who, in either case, has been employed on meteorological air observer duties, for meritorious work or devotion to duty.
The Award will be confined to flying personnel who are or have been during the past year employed on meteorological air observer duties.
The Award will be made on the recommendation of a board consisting of: -
Director of the Meteorological Office.
A scientific member of the Meteorological Research Committee.
A senior officer of the Royal Air Force.
The Award will be accompanied by a certificate signed by the members of the board.
Source - Air Ministry Order A772/46 dated 5 September 1946.
Leader and Instructor Courses - Bombing and Gunnery
Combined course - It has been decided that separate leader and instructor courses in bombing and gunnery are not now required because: -
the number of leaders and instructors required are insufficient to justify separate courses for each; and
a special course for leaders is not necessary, in view of the improved service training which is given to officers, and which will ensure possession of the additional qualifications required by a leader.
Courses have, therefore, been combined and named the "Bombing Instructor" the "Free Gunnery Instructor" courses. They are each of ten weeks' duration held at the Empire Air Armament School, Manby, and the Central Gunnery, Leconfield, respectively
Eligibility and selection. - Navigators qualified as bomb aimers, and air gunners and other aircrew categories who have qualified at an air gunners' school) are eligible for the appropriate instructor course. COs are to ensure that candidates have the qualities of an instructor, and are fully conversant with bombing or gunnery subjects. In this respect it should be noted that an entrance examination is held at the beginning of each course to ensure that candidates have a reasonable chance of graduating. The standard required to pass this examination is equivalent to that reached at the end of the basic bombing or gunnery course. Failures of the entrance examination are returned to their parent units and may not be recommended for another course for six months.
Classification of graduates. - Graduates will continue to be classified as instructors; officer graduates being bombing or gunnery leaders, and NCOs as air bombing or air gunnery instructors.
A NCO graduate of the new combined courses will, if subsequently appointed to commissioned rank, be automatically re-classified as a leader, and will retain classification granted on completion of the course. The method of assessment now in use for determining the A, B or C classification takes into account "technical" knowledge, instructional ability, and "personality," and is independent of rank.
Graduates of previous instructor courses. - To bring candidates of the previous courses into line with the new policy, it has been decided that officer graduates of the bombing and air gunnery instructor courses (which have now been disbanded in favour of the combined courses), and. NCO, graduates of these courses who are subsequently commissioned, will automatically become leaders. Owing to the, difference in assessment then employed, it will not be possible for those leaders to be given classification.
Graduates of the previous courses, including the leaders, mentioned in para. 5 above, are however, eligible for the new combined courses (Bombing Instructor and Free Gunnery courses), and may be nominated at the discretion of command headquarters.
(AMOs A475/43, A644/43, A1118/43. A7/44, A357/45 A359/45
and A856/45 cancelled)
Source - Air Ministry Order A775/46 dated 5 September 1946.
Aircrew Transferred from the Army - Re-transfer
In the early stages of the war a number of regular soldiers voluntarily transferred to the Royal Air Force for aircrew duties under the terms of Army Council Instruction 1520/40, which was reproduced in AMO A200/41. Para. 5 of the above ACI laid down that a soldier serving on a normal regular engagement who was transferred to the Royal Air Force under its terms would have the right to be re-transferred to his original regiment or corps at the end of the war.
Any regular soldiers as referred to in para. 1 above who may still wish to exercise their option for re-transfer should apply to do so forthwith. Applications are to be accompanied by the form shown at Appendix B to this order, which is to be completed by the unit, and are to be forwarded by COs to the Air Ministry (P 3) (copy to the Air Officer i/c Records, Gloucester).
On re-transfer, an airman will resume the rank which he held as a soldier at the date of transfer to the Royal Air Force, any acting rank or lance rank being disregarded. Any war substantive rank so resumed will continue to be hold whilst the war-time code of promotion is in operation. His ultimate peace-time rank will be dependent on the available vacancies within the peace establishment and his suitability to fill such a vacancy.
The current rates of army pay are shown at Appendix A to this order. The conditions of their classification for pay under the "star" system will be notified to applicants before re-transfer is actually effected. War excesses, where applicable will be assessed, under army rules, as if the airmen concerned had been on pay as soldiers on 30th June, 1946, in the army equivalent of the RAF rank then held, or on the basis of any lower rank in which they are reinstated, should the latter be to their advantage.
This order is to be brought to the attention of all airmen concerned,
APPENDIX A
RATES OF PAY
The rates of pay will be as laid down in the following tables: -
Table A - Warrant and non-commissioned officers of or above the rank of
| Rank or appointment 1 |
Basic rate | |||
| Highest skilled tradesmen* 2 |
All others
3 |
|||
| £ | s | £ | s | |
| Warrant officer, class I | 17 | 0 | 15 | 6 |
| Warrant officer, class II | 15 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Staff-sergeant (or equivalent rank) | 14 | 6 | 12 | 0 |
| Sergeant (or equivalent rank) | 12 | 0 | 10 | 6 |
*"Highest skilled tradesmen" rates are confined to those mustered, on 30th June 1946 in an army trade belonging to group A, with a class I Classification in that trade and to those who so qualify after 30th June 1946, in a group A trade appropriate to their corps
,
Table B - Rank and file (except boys).
|
Rank or appointment |
On appointment |
One star |
Two star |
Three star |
||||
|
|
£ |
s |
£ |
s |
£ |
s |
£ |
s |
| Corporal or bombardier |
- |
- |
7 |
6 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 6 |
| Lance corporal or lance bombardier |
- |
- |
5 |
6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Private (or equivalent rank) | 4 | 0 |
5 |
6 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Increments
In addition to the basic rates, detailed above, increments of pay will be granted as follows: -
Increments for length of service as a man.
Soldiers, of whatever rank, will receive increments of pay at the rate of 6d after five years' and ten years' reckonable man's service. Once granted, the increments will not he withdrawn, except to the extent that, and for so long as, qualifying service ceases to be reckonable.Increments for length of service as a warrant or non-commissioned officer.
Warrant and non-commissioned officers will receive increments of pay at the following rates after completing the prescribed period of service in the rank.
Warrant officer, class I 1s 6d After each period of four years' service as such Warrant officer, class II 6d Staff-sergeant (or equivalent rank) 6d Sergeant (or equivalent rank) 6d Corporal (or equivalent rank) 6d After four years' service
Once granted, the increments will not be withdrawn, except to the extent, and for so long as, qualifying service ceases to be reckonable.
APPENDIX B
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Army No | Army substantive or war substantive
rank on transfer |
Name | Regiment or corps at time of transfer | Regiment or corps on 3rd September 1939 | Date of enlistment | Terms of service | Present medical category | Present RAF rank | RAF rank on 30 June 1946 |
Source - Air Ministry Order A854/46 dated 3 October 1946.
Extended Service Scheme for Aircrew
In view of the importance of making provision for the adequate manning of the Royal Air Force during the interim period between the end of the Japanese war and the reconstitution of the force on a peace-time basis, it was decided to introduce a scheme of extended service for aircrew on the same broad lines as that announced for officers in AMO A775/45, as amended. The present order restates the conditions originally announced in AMO A1153/45, as modified subsequently to take account of the provisions of the extended service Bounty Scheme announced in AMO A445/46, as amended. The provisions of this order, like the scheme announced in AMO A445/46, will remain in operation for a strictly limited period.
Those eligible under this scheme are detailed in para. 4 below and it is hoped that the number of volunteers forthcoming will be adequate to meet the needs of the interim force and so enable the process of release and demobilisation to proceed without check.
It would clearly be uneconomic in present circumstances to continue the training of aircrew unless they are prepared to undertake a period of regular and reserve service in peace time. It is intended, therefore, so far as is practicable, to limit basic flying training in the future to those airmen who are prepared to continue their service in peace time in the manner indicated in para. 6 below.
Eligibility. -
(a) The undermentioned airmen may apply for service under the terms of this order, irrespective of the length of the unexpired portion of their current engagement in the case of regular airmen: -
Qualified aircrew (i.e., those who have been awarded the aircrew badge) including those declared redundant under the terms of AMOs A552/45, and A918/45, as amended.
Aircrew cadets undergoing basic training and those declared redundant at this stage of training under the terms of AMOs A552/45, and A918/45, as amended.
Aircrew cadets undergoing initial training or who, having completed initial training, are awaiting entry to basic training, and those declared redundant at either of these stages of training under the terms of AMOs A552/45, and A918/45, as amended.
Airmen retained on the roster of those awaiting entry or re-entry into flying training in, accordance with AMO A277/46;
Those in sub-para. (a) (i) above must not have reached their 35th birthday and those in sub-paras. (a) (ii) and (iii) above must not have reached their 30th birthday on the date of their application. Those in sub-para. (a) (iv) above must satisfy the requirements laid down in AMO A277/46.
The suspension of airmen from initial or basic training will involve the cancellation of their accepted applications and continuance in their current engagement. Airmen suspended from advanced training will be dealt with under para. 14 below.
No guarantee can be given that these applying for extended service under this order will be accepted. The submission of an application by airman already declared redundant under the provisions of AMO A552/45, or A918/45, will not affect his disposal under those orders unless and until his application is accepted.
An applicant under this order who has not been informed of the result of his application by the time his age and service group is reached, and who accepts release will not be debarred thereby from accepting extended service as aircrew under this scheme, if subsequently selected.
Airmen who are permanent civil servants are ineligible to apply for service as aircrew under this order.
Medical standards.
(a) Applicants under para. 4, sub-paras. (i), (ii) and (iii) above will, in future, be required to satisfy the following medical standards
| Pilots | A1B |
| Navigators | A3B |
| Signallers | A3B (Vision) |
| Engineers | A3B (Vision) |
| Gunners | A3B (Turret) (NVC = 8) |
Applicants under para. 4, sub-para. (a) (iv) above will be required to satisfy the medical standards promulgated in AMO A.277/46.
The applications of those who are temporarily unfit for flying duties but are otherwise acceptable, will receive only provisional approval pending their recategorisation to their full medical category, as appropriate.
Periods of service. The periods of service will be three years' regular service reckoned in the case of unqualified aircrew from the date of award of the aircrew badge followed by four years' service in the reserve, and entry into this engagement will be effected as follows:
By enlistment. This will apply to all eligible airmen who are serving on regular engagements which have been prolonged under the Military and Air Force (Prolongation of Service) Act, 1939, or who are serving on, or are enlisted for an engagement for the duration of the present emergency. The Air Officer i/c Records will issue instructions for the enlistment of eligible airmen for the periods specified as follows: -
For those under para. 4, sub-para. (a) (i) above from a current date.
For those under para. 4, sub-paras. (a) (ii) and (iii) above, on acceptance for continuation in flying training, but the enlistment will not be finally carried out until satisfactory completion of flying training and award of the aircrew badge.
For those under para. 4, sub-para. (a) (iv) above, on final acceptance for entry into flying training but the enlistment will not be finally carried out until satisfactory completion of flying training and award of the aircrew badge.
By extension of service or prolongation of engagement - This will apply to all eligible airmen who are serving on current regular engagements, including those prolonged under the Military and Air Forces (Prolongation of Service) 1939. They will be required to extend their service or to prolong their engagements under para. 611 or 611A of KR & ACI, as appropriate, for such a period as will enable them to complete three years' regular service followed by four years reserve service from a current date (in the case of qualified aircrew) or of the award (in the case of aircrew cadets) of the aircrew badge.
(c) The current engagements of regular airmen who have, in any case seven or more years to serve, may be varied to enable them to complete three years regular service followed by the balance of their engagements in the reserve under this order reckoned from a current date (in the case of qualified aircrew) or the award (in the case of aircrew cadets) of the aircrew badge.
Conditions of service
The normal conditions of service for regular aircrew will apply generally, except as specially provided in this order.
The conditions of service in the post-war reserve are under review and will be promulgated to all concerned as soon as possible.
Gratuity and other benefits. -
War gratuity. - In respect of their war service airmen will be eligible for war gratuity in accordance with the terms of AMO A583/45, as amended.
Terminal gratuity. - On transfer to the reserve on completing three years' regular service under this scheme, airmen will be eligible for gratuity at the following rates abated by any initial advance of £25 under sub-para. (c) below: -
Airmen holding the rank of sergeant as aircrew on 1st January 1946, or the rank of sergeant or pilot, etc., IV at the date of commencement of extended service if later £150
Airmen holding the rank of flight sergeant as aircrew on 1st January 1946, £175
Airmen holding the rank of warrant officer as aircrew, on 1st January 1946 £200
Advance of terminal gratuity. - On final enlistment, extension of service, prolongation or variation of their engagement, as provided for under para. 6 above, airmen will be eligible for an advance, as part of the gratuity payable on transfer to the reserve, of £25. This sum will not have to be repaid in any circumstances.
Civilian outfit. - If they have not previously received civilian clothing benefits admissible under the entitlement appropriate to their previous service, airmen will be entitled, on final enlistment, extension of service prolongation or variation of their engagement as provided for under para. 6 above, to obtain a civilian outfit from service sources, without coupons, or to a payment of £8 if they prefer. Separate instructions will be published regarding arrangements for issue. On transfer to the reserve, airmen will be eligible for a further civilian outfit under whatever regulations may be introduced to implement para. 32 of the White Paper (Cmd. 6715).
Leave. - Airmen on final enlistment, etc., under this order will be granted -
28 days' re-engagement leave under the general conditions of para. 1403 of KR & ACI or
the period of overseas service leave which would have been due under para. 285 of AP 3093 (Release Regulations) at the time of enlistment, etc., had the airmen then been due for release under Class A; whichever is the longer;
28 days' "end of war" leave under AMO A1124/45, as amended, as soon as service exigencies permit;
28 days' terminal leave as provided for by para. 32 of the White Paper (Crnd. 6715), subject to the conditions governing the grant of such leave to regular airmen generally, in the post-war air force.
Leave under sub-pare. (iii) above maybe postponed until the end of an airman's service, when it may be taken immediately preceding the 28 days' leave under sub-para. (iv) above.
Leave should be taken within the currency of engagements under this order, but in any case, in which this proves impracticable, steps will be taken to ensure that airmen are granted the leave for which they are eligible, irrespective of whether or not this will extend the term of their regular service, vide para. 32 of the White Paper (Cmd. 6715).
Leave under sub-paras. (i), (ii) or (iii) above will not be granted to men who, have already had an equivalent amount of terminal leave at the date of enlistment, etc, under this order,
Airmen serving overseas -
will be allowed to proceed to the United Kingdom for leave as soon as can be arranged, provided that passages are available and service requirements permit;
will, in any event, proceed to the United Kingdom not later than the date which their age and service group, in the case of non-regulars, is promulgated for release, if this is earlier than the date on which their tour expires; not later than 31st Decomber 1946;
returning to the United Kingdom on leave before their tour expiry date remain liable to return to complete their overseas tour following their leave, but some cases may be treated as tour expired, when the remainder of their tour is insufficiently long to justify arranging a return passage overseas,
Gratuity in the event of premature transfer to the reserve, etc.
On premature transfer to the reserve, on death, or discharge for whatever reason, before the completion of the three years' regular portion of his engagement order, an airman will be eligible for -
the proportion of extended service gratuity as in para. 9, sub-para (b) appropriate to the period of regular service actually rendered, subject to the conditions stated in para. 11 below; or
war gratuity, subject to the conditions governing the payment of each grants not only for service rendered up to and including 15th August, 1946, but also service after that date; whichever is to his advantage.
The payment of proportionate gratuity as mentioned in para. 10, sub-para (a) above will be subject to the following conditions: -
The airman must have completed not less than one year of the regular part of his engagement under this order, calculated, where applicable, from the the award of the flying badge; except that if he is invalided in consequence of wound, injury or disease not due to causes within his own control, this minimum, period of service requirement will not apply.
In the case of an airman permitted to transfer to the reserve or take discharge at his own request (e.g., on compassionate grounds) the amount of proportionate extended service gratuity will be reduced by not less than 25 per except that where transfer to the reserve or discharge is permitted within six months of the airman completing the three years' regular portion of his extended engagement under this order, proportionate extended service gratuity will be paid in full.
In the case of an airman discharged for misconduct or inefficiency, special instructions will be issued.
Proportionate extended service gratuity will be abated by any advance of £25 paid under para. 9, sub-para. (c) above.
No part of the extended service gratuity will be payable to the estate of an airman who dies or is killed while serving on the regular portion of his extended service engagement under this order.
Gratuity under para. 3691 or 3691A of KR & ACI or paras. 34 and 35 of the White Paper (Cmd. 6715) will not be issued in addition to gratuity under para 9 above.
Approval of re-engagement for pension will involve the cancellation of the special conditions as regards gratuity, etc, attaching to extended service under this order for service in respect of which terminal gratuity, other than any advance of gratuity under para. 9, sub-para. (c) above, or war gratuity for any period after 15th August 1945 has been paid under para. 9 or 10 above, will not be allowed to count towards any subsequent non-effective award (e.g., airmen's service pension or officers' retired pay) and such gratuity is refunded.
Liability to be withdrawn from aircrew duties. - Airmen on extended service under this order will be liable to be withdrawn from aircrew duties at any time on medical grounds, or for inefficiency or unsuitability under the regulations now in force or any modifications thereto which may be introduced from time to time for aircrew generally. Airmen permanently withdrawn from aircrew employment will be dealt with as follows: -
Aircrew who, had they not extended their service, would have been released in their age and service groups on or be/ore the date of withdrawal. - They will be offered the choice of discharge or of continuing to serve on the ground for their extended service engagements, under the conditions generally applicable to aircrew remustered to ground duties. These are being revised and will be issued in a separate Air Ministry Order
Aircrew who, at the date of their withdrawal, would in any case still be serving on their previous engagement, even, had they not been accepted for extended service. - They will be offered the choice of-
Continuing to serve on the ground for the balance of their extended service engagement, or
in the case of airmen who were accepted for extended service while serving on a regular engagement, cancellation of the extension, prolongation or variation of original engagement under this order. Airmen who elect for this alternative would thus serve for the balance of their previous regular engagement, or
in the case of other airmen, discharge and re-enlistment in the RAF Volunteer Reserve on an emergency engagement from a current date. Airmen who elect for this alternative will be released with their normal group in Class A.
The conditions of remustering to ground duties in sub-para. (a) above will apply whichever option is exercised.
The issue, to aircrew permanently withdrawn on medical grounds, of proportionate gratuity or war gratuity in respect of service as aircrew outside the prescribed war period will be governed by the provisions of paras. 10 to 13 above, as applicable to aircrew discharged or prematurely transferred to the reserve, and will be made on final discharge or such earlier date as may be prescribed. The issue of such gratuity to aircrew remustered to ground duties (but not discharged) for disciplinary reasons or for inefficiency will be governed by whatever rules are decided upon in the case of airmen discharged for inefficiency or misconduct.
They will be eligible on discharge or release under sub-paras. (a) and (b) above during the currency of the present Release Regulations (AP 3093) for the following terminal leave: -
28 days' leave as in para. 9, sub-para. (a) (iv) above.
28 days' "end of war" leave as in para. 9, sub-pars. (a) (iii) above if not already taken.
Overseas service leave in accordance with AP 3093 (Release Regulations) less any periods of leave already taken under para. 9, sub-paras. (a) (i) and (ii) above.
Commissioning. - Airmen whose applications are approved under this scheme will be eligible for selection for commissions in accordance with the policy current from time to time. If so selected, their period of service will be for four years on the active list, reckoned from the date of commencement of the period of extended service under this order, followed by four years in the reserve. The rate of gratuity (other than war gratuity) payable on passing to the reserve on completion of four years' service will be assumed -
in the case of aircrew qualified as such on or before 2nd September 1945, pro rata at the appropriate rate quoted in para. 9 above in respect of airman service, and at the rate of £125 a year in respect of officer service;
in the case of aircrew qualified as such after 2nd September 1945, pro rata at the appropriate rate for airman service and at the rate of £100 a year for officer service.
Administrative instructions. - Past applications. -
Groups and units are to arrange for all extended service applicants (excepting those airmen who have already received notification of -
rejection;
date of appointment at No 1 Central Medical Board;
final acceptance by Air Officer i/c Records, or provisional acceptance in the case of cadets;
appointment to a commission; or
who are not now desirous of continuing with their apptication)
to attend for a period of 1-2 days at -
Aviation Candidates Selection and Medical Boards, Hornchurch in case of units in the United Kingdom situated south of the line King's Lynn - Weston-Super-Mare;
Aircrew Classification Centre, Bridgnorth, in the case of units north of the King's Lynn - Weston-Super-Mare and those in Gibraltar and Northern Ireland for medical examination and final selection or rejection.
(Note - Nominal rolls of those under sub-paras. (iv) and (v) above are to be forwarded to the Air Ministry (P 7) and the Air Officer i/c Records, Gloucester forthwith. Units should apply to the appropriate centre direct for a medical examination and Form 121 must accompany the request. When actually reporting to the centre, each applicant is to take with him, under sealed cover Forms ? and 1580. In the case of an airman who is non-effective sick, and no date can be given for his medical clearance, a request for a medical board is to be submitted as soon as the airman is fit to resume duty. No further appointments are to be made with No 1 Central Medical Board after the instructions contained in Air Ministry postagram A.80692/46 dated 28th August, 1946 have been received by units, but appointments already made are not to be cancelled.)
Incomplete or incorrect applications already filed. - Applicants who have previously submitted an incorrect or incomplete application to the Air Ministry will be dealt with as if their original application had been correct. Units are to ensure, therefore, that applicants are not overlooked.
Future applications. - The instructions set out in sub-para. (a) above will also govern any future applications for service under this order. The forwarding of a applications to the Air Ministry, and completion of Form 2740 is no longer necessary. Form 2745 is still to be completed, amended as at Appendix A to this order, however, in respect of applicants who have completed an operational training unit training and reached and passed beyond heavy conversion unit stage (or its equivalent). In the case of applicants who have not reached the heavy conversion unit stage (or its equivalent) applications are to be submitted as at Appendix B to this order. The above-mentioned application forms are to be forwarded to the appropriate centre together with the certified true copy of the airman's Form 121 when application is made for a medical board. The request for a medical board is to be made within seven days of the submission of the airman's application.
Separate instructions have been issued regarding candidates serving in overseas commands in Air Ministry postagram A.806902/45/P.7 dated 17th September, 1945
Names of accepted and rejected applicants will be notified in due course by the Air Officer i/c Records.
Off-prints of this order are being distributed and should be displayed on notice boards.
(AMOs. A1153/45, A1199/45, A781/46 A752/46 and A753/46 cancelled)
APPENDIX A
EXTENDED SERVICE SCHEME FOR AIRCREW, APPLICATION FOR ENLISTMENT, EXTENSION OF SERVICE OR PROLONGATION OF ENGAGEMENT OR VARIATION OF CURRENT ENGAGEMENT IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
Instructions for the adaption of RAF Form 2745
Part I
Amend title to read "Candidate for extended service".
Amend heading No 3 to read "Special qualifications"
Part 2
Strike out headings No. 7-15.
The applicant is to sign and complete the relevant section
APPENDIX B
|
EXTENDED SERVICE SCHEME FOR AIRCREW, APPLICATION FOR ENLISTMENT, EXTENSION OF SERVICE OR PROLONGATION OF ENGAGEMENT OR VARIATION OF CURRENT ENGAGEMENT IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE No ........................................................................................... Name ........................................................................................... Rank........................................................................................... Aircrew Category (e.g. navigator, pilot etc.) ........................................................................................... Date of Birth ........................................................................................... Release Group ........................................................................................... Redundant of non-redundant* ........................................................................................... If redundant, state (a) Where declared redundant
........................................................................................... Exact stage of aircrew training reached ........................................................................................................................................................................................
Last type of aircraft flown (name and mark). ........................................................................................... Basic trade, if any........................................................................................... Declaration I, the above-named airman at present serving in the Royal Air Force, apply to
Airman's signature in full.......................................... Date............................................ Unit ............................................ Station commander's signature ......................................... Station.................................................................. Signature reproduced in capitals........................................................................... * Delete whichever is inapplicable. |
Source - Air Ministry Order A963/46 dated 14 November 1946.
AMO A963/46 is amended as follows: -
Para. 10, line 1. Delete "on death"
(AMO A963/46 amended)
Secondment of RAF Flying Personnel for Service with British Civil Air Transport
No further secondments of flying personnel for service with British civil air transport under the provisions of AMO A.557/45, as amended, will be made and, consequently, no further applications for secondment under that order are required.
AMO A557/45, as amended, will ultimately be cancelled, but in the meantime, the provisions of the first sentence of para. 7 and paras. 8 to 10 will continue to apply to personnel already seconded who will be subject to the following disposal instructions: -
Non regular personnel will normally remain seconded until they become due for release in their age and service group.
Officers holding permanent or extended service commissions and aircrew serving on regular engagements will complete the normal period of secondment unless previously required for return to RAF duty.
Officers who, at the time of their appointment to emergency commissions were serving on regular engagements as airmen and consequently have the option of release in their age and service group or a continuance of their regular engagements, will be dealt with under either (a) or (b) above as appropriate.
Source - Air Ministry Order A74/47 dated 30 January 1947.
Piloting of RAF Aircraft
It has been decided that officers of branches other than the General Duties Branch who have qualified for the flying badge may be permitted while on duty to fly light, comrntnica1ion and basic training types of RAF aircraft subject to the conditions in KR & ACI. para. 696, sub-paras. (a), (b) and (c). Sub-para. (d) of that paragraph should be regarded as modified accordingly and will be amended in due course.
Officers of the Medical and Technical Branches who are fully qualified and competent to fly operational RAF aircraft may be permitted to do so subject, in each case, to the approval of the Air Ministry (DTO).
There is no intention to grant officers of branches other than the General Duties, Technical or Medical Branches any form of flying or refresher training or any facilities other than as provided in this order, to keep in regular flying practice. Neither must the flying involve any additional manpower commitment or any increased establishment of aircraft.
Officers granted permission to fly aircraft under paras. 1 and 2 above will not be employed in establishment vacancies as regular members of aircraft crews and will not therefore be eligible for flying pay.
Source - Air Ministry Order A99/47 dated 6 February 1947.
Promotion of Aircrew
It was stated in para. 19 of AMO A492/46, as amended, on the subject of aircrew in the post-war Royal Air Force, that separate instructions would be issued regarding the procedure for the promotion of aircrew. With effect from 1st July 1946, the following regulations will apply.
NORMAL PROMOTION ELIGIBILITY
Under normal arrangements in the peace-time Royal Air Force, aircrew will be eligible for promotion at the following stages in their service, subject to the possession at each stage of the qualifications prescribed below. Service as aircrew will be reckoned from the date of entry to an initial training school.
Pilot and navigators
To pilot or navigator IV - on award of the flying badge.
To pilot or navigator III - on completion of operational training and pasting to a squadron.
To pilot or navigator II - after 4½, years' total service as aircrew, subject to the possession of the following qualifications: -
Pilot II: -
Current white card for instrument flying.
Not less than 12 months' squadron service (as opposed to other employment on productive flying duties in a qualified capacity).
Completion of a minimum of 500 hours' flying, including 50 hours by night as a pilot.
Navigator II: -
Either 2nd class navigation warrant licence or bombing category "13" or higher..
Not less than 12 months' squadron service.
Completion of a minimum of 500 hours' flying as P1st navigator, including 100 hours at nigh!;.
To pilot or navigator I - After 4 years' service as a pilot or navigator II. i.e., normally during the 9th year of aircrew service, subject to the possession of the following qualifications -
Pilot I: -
Current green card for instrument flying.
Passed either flying instructors' school or navigator course or armament course.
Completion of a minimum of 800 hours' flying, including 100 hours by night as pilot.
Navigator I: -
1st class navigation licence or similar standard in meteorology to 2nd class navigation licence or similar standard in radar to 2nd class navigation licence or bombing category 'A'.
Completion of a minimum of 1,000 hours' flying as 1st navigator, including 200 hours at night,
To master pilot or navigator - after 9 years' service as pilot or navigator I. i.e., normally during the 18th year of aircrew service, subject to the possession of the following qualifications: -
Master pilot: -
Current green card for instrument flying.
Either flying instructor category A1 or A2 or qualification in navigation to 2nd class warrant standard or 2nd class navigation licence (civil air transport standard).
Completion of a minimum of 2,000 hours' flying, including 400 hours by night as pilot.
Qualification on single and muiti-engined aircraft at some time during service
Master navigator: -
1st class navigation licence,
Completion of a minimum of 2,000 hours' flying as 1st navigator, including 400 hours by night.
Signallers, engineers and gunners (A), (B) and (D)
To signaller, etc, IV - on award of the flying badge.
To signaller, etc, III - on completion of operational training and posting to a squadron.
To signaller, etc, II - after 4½ years' total service as aircrew, subject to the possession of the following qualifications: -
Signaller II: -
Not less than 12 month' squadron service.
Completion of a minimum of 300 hours' flying as a signaller, including 50 hours at night.
75 per cent in an examination covering operation and servicing of radio equipment.
A speed of 25 words a minute Morse
Engineer II: -
Not less than 12 months' squadron service.
Completion of a minimum of 300 hours' flying as an engineer, including 50 hours by night
70 per cent, in a written examination and practical tests, including high altitude day and night flying, ability to steer a straight course at the pilot's control by night, and advanced air gunnery.
Passing a trade test (in group A or B as appropriate) on aircraft inspection and servicing.
Gunner II: -
Not less than 12 months' squadron service.
Completion of a minimum of 300 hours' flying as a gunner, including 50 hours by night
Attainment of proficiency standard 'B', based on camera recorder results, air firing, and SETs.
Under the scheme announced for the provision of signallers, engineers, and gunners from airmen in related trades, aircrew in these categories will not normally progress beyond the rank of signaller, etc., II, but will revert to their basic trade on completion of 5 years, aircrew service. A limited number will be selected for a further period of aircrew service, mainly to provide the necessary staff for training establishments, after an interval during which they will be employed in their ground trade. During the second period of aircrew service they will be eligible for promotion to signaller, etc I subject to the possession of the following qualifications: -
Signaller I: -
Completion of a minimum of 600 hours' flying as a signaller including 100 hours at night.
Successful completion of a signaller instructor's course.
Maintenance of signaller II standard in the operation and servicing of radio equipment.
Engineer I: -
Completion of 600 hours' flying as an engineer, including 100 hours at night
Successful completion of an engineer instructor's course.
Certificate by squadron commander as to satisfactory performance of ground duties as engineer II.
Gunner I: -
Completion of 600 hours' flying as a gunner, including 100 hours at night.
Successful completion of free gunnery instructor's course, category B.
Attainment of proficiency standard "A".
ACCELERATED PROMOTION - ELIGIBILITY
Under normal arrangements in the peace-time Royal Air Force, aircrew who attain the necessary technical qualifications laid down in parts. 3 to 5 above and are otherwise suitable in all respects, may be specially recommended for accelerated promotion w follows: -
Pilots and navigators only. - They may be specially recommended for promotion to master rank after 2 years' service as pilot or navigator I, i.e., during and after the 11th year of aircrew service, to fill establishment vacancies.
All categories - They may be specially recommended as exceptionally suitable for promotion to the rank of aircrew II and aircrew I six months in advance of the normal dates laid down in paras. 3 to5 above.
There will be a limited number of establishment vacancies for aircrew so recommended.
TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
(a) The promotion of aircrew who graduate as aircrew IV on
and after 1st July 1946, will be governed by the rules set out in paras. 2
to 6 above. Some time will therefore elapse before promotions to
aircrew II and above are made under normal post-war arrangements. In the
meantime, qualified aircrew serving on the above-mentioned date, who may not
be able for some time to satisfy in full the post war proficiency standards
will be eligible for the benefit of the special transitional arrangements
described in sub-paras. (b) to (d) below.
(b) Aircrew who assumed the rank of aircrew II on 1st July 1946, under the
arrangements set out in para. 20 of AMO A492/46, as amended, may be promoted
to aircrew I on satisfactory completion of 7½
years' qualified service as aircrew, i.e.. service subsequent to the award
of the flying badge, war service prior to 2nd September 1945, being counted
as double for this purpose.
(c) Pilots an navigators who assumed the rank of pilot or navigator I on 1st
July 1946, and those subsequently promoted to that rank in accordance with
sub-para. (b) above, will in due course be eligible for promotion to master
rank in accordance with the normal rules set out in para. 3, sub-para. (c)
above. Meanwhile, a limited number will he eligible, for accelerated
promotion (in accordance with para. 21 of AMO A492/46, as amended on
completion of 9½ years of qualified
service as aircrew, reckoned as in sub-para. (b) above, subject to their
having completed 1,500 flying hours, including 150 hours by night.
(d) A limited number of signallers engineers and gunners who assumed the
rank of signaller, engineer or gunner I on 1st July 1946, and those
subsequently promoted to that rank in accordance with sub-para. (b) above,
will be eligible, as a special measure, for promotion to master rank on
completion of 9½ years of qualified
service as aircrew, reckoned as in sub-para. (b) above, subject to the
completion of 1,000 flying hours.
PROCEDURE
Promotions will normally be authorised by the Air Officer i/c Records in the light of recommendations and certificates of proficiency furnished by COs. Rank granted under this order will be substantive rank as aircrew, but airmen remustered to a ground trade at the expiration of their flying service, i.e., normally., under post-war arrangements, signallers, engineers and gunners who complete a fixed tour of aircrew duty, will assume therein the ground rank for which they are eligible in accordance with the regulations current at the time.
Normal promotions (paras. 2 to 5 above). - On the 25th day of each month, the CO of each unit will complete, in the form set out it the Appendix to this order, a return of all aircrew under his command who will, during the following month, complete the requisite period of service laid down in paras. 3 to 6 above. This nominal roll will be forwarded direct to the Air Officer i/c Records (D 5 Section), Gloucester. The term "recommended" applies to airmen who are qualified and in all respects personally suitable for promotion. "Not recommended" applies when airmen have not attained the prescribed technical qualifications, or are personally unsuitable for promotion, and should be qualified by a brief explanation of the grounds on which the recommendation is withheld.
Accelerated promotion (paras. 6, 7, sub-para. (c), and 7, sub-para. (d), above) - The. procedure to be followed in forwarding recommendations for accelerated promotion will be identical with that laid down in para. 9 above, except that: -
a return will be made only of these aircrew who will, during the following month, complete the requisite periods of service laid down in paras. 6 and 7. sub para. (c), and sub-para. (d), above, but will not complete the requisite periods of service for normal promotion.
The return will include only those airmen who are considered in every respect suitable for accelerated promotion. Such airmen will be considered to be "specially recommended", and it will therefore be unnecessary to complete column 6 of the Appendix to this order, which should be ruled through or omitted.
On receipt of authority from the Air Officer i/c Records, promotions will be granted with effect from the day following that on which the requisite service is completed, and promulgated in personnel occurrence reports.
Aircrew who assumed the rank of aircrew II on 1st July 1946 (para. 4, sub-para. (b) above) - Exceptionally, in their case, promotion to aircrew I will be effected by the AOC on the recommendation of COs on completion of 7½ years' qualified service as aircrew reckoned as in para. 7, sub-para. (b) above. On the 25th day of each month the CO of each unit is to submit to his AOC a nominal roll, in duplicate, of all airmen who assumed the rank of aircrew II on 1st July 1946, who will complete 7½ years' qualified service as aircrew during the following mouth, The CO is to indicate against each name whether or not promotion is recommended. The decision of the AOC is to be annotated in the nominal rolls, one of which is to be returned to the CO concerned, and the other forwarded to the Air Officer i/c Records (D 5 Section), Gloucester. Immediately on receipt of authority from the AOC, COs will effect promotions as in para. 11 above. In the first instance, nominal rolls will be submitted in respect of all aircrew II granted that rank on 1st July 1946, whose promotion may have fallen due since that date.
GENERAL.
Should an airman be posted before he is eligible for promotion, but after his name has been submitted, subsequent promotion authority should be forwarded to his new unit for promulgation.
As long as an airman is mustered in an aircrew category he is eligible for promotion in accordance with the terms of this order.
(AMOs A3/45 and A752/45 cancelled)
APPENDIX
|
*Accelerated Normal |
Promotion of aircrew |
|
|
|
|
|
1 No |
2 Rank |
3 Name |
4 Date of last Promotion |
5 Rank to which promotion is due |
6 COs recommendation
("Recommended" or |
| I certify that the above-named aircrew who are recommended for promotion have successfully passed the requisite tests and attained the standards prescribed in AMO A151/47 for promotion to the rank named. | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
C.O's. signature..................................................................
Unit................................................................................... |
|
| * Delete whichever is not applicable. | |||||
Source - Air Ministry Order A151/47 dated 27 February 1947.
Conditions of Service of Aircrew who are Permanently Withdrawn from Flying Duties
(This order affects paras. 1095, 1119, 1156, 1157, 1160, 1192, 1196, 1315, 1432, 3050 and 3054 of AP 837)
Except as provided in para. 2 below, from the date of this order the rank or classification of ex-aircrew remustered to ground duties will be that appropriate to their position in their ground trade as determined by this order. The arrangements notified in AMO A101/44, as amended, are cancelled, and the rank or classification of airmen who were remustered under those arrangements on medical grounds or for non-medical reasons outside their own control will be reviewed in accordance with this order: the general effect of this will be that such airmen will cease to retain their former aircrew temporary rank, but will retain the rank or classification appropriate to their position in their trade as determined by para. 5 of AMO A191/44, as amended, since the rules governing the latter are broadly unchanged.
Qualified aircrew declared redundant under AMOs A552/45 and A918/45, as amended (including aircrew ex-prisoners of war re-allocated to ground ditties under AMO A997/45, as amended), will be permitted, until 30th September 1947, to retain rank equivalent to the aircrew rank which they would have assumed on 1st July 1946, if they had not been declared redundant. At the expiration of this period, their rank or classification will be governed by the provisions of this order.
Aircrew (including aircrew cadets) permanently withdrawn from flying duties or training for service reasons or medical unfitness outside their control. - They will be dealt with as in paras 4 to 8 below. Any rank or classification granted thereunder, even though ante-dated for seniority purposes, will not become effective for pay and allowance purposes from a date earlier than that on which the airmen actually become eligible for such ante-date. The promotion of NCOs under these arrangements will count against the current establishment.
Ex-aircrew with basic trades. - Their rank or classification will be determined as follows: -
Those who, prior to aircrew employment, were NCOs or leading aircraftmen in a trade other than that of aircrafthand will be remustered to their basic trade, in which they will be granted the rank or classification which they would have attained but for aircrew employment, determined in accordance with the normal rules for the promotion tradesmen other than aircrafthands.
Those who, prior to aircrew employment were aircraftmen, 1st class, or aircraftmen 2nd class, in a trade other than that of aircrafthand will be remustered to their basic trade and trade tested forthwith. Those who attain leading aircraftman standard will be granted an ante-date of that classification with effect from the date of entry into aircrew training. Those who do not attain leading aircraftman standard will be granted the classification appropriate to the standard obtained but will be given special facilities to reach leading aircraftman standard as soon as possible, and those who attain that standard within twelve months of remustering will be granted similar ante-date of seniority. Airmen granted an ante-date of seniority under this sub-paragraph will be eligible for promotion, on the basis of such seniority, to the NCO rank which they would have attained but for aircrew employment, as in sub-para. (a) above. The Air Officer i/c Records, the base personnel staff, officer, or the AOC, as appropriate, is to be notified in such cases to enable the necessary adjustment in rank to be made.
Those who were aircrafthands prior to aircrew employment, irrespective of their rank or classification, will, on being remustered as aircrafthands, assume the rank or classification they would have attained but for aircrew employment, subject to the normal rules applicable to the reclassification and promotion of aircrafthands.
Ex-aircrew, without basic trade selected for trade training. - They will be remustered to aircrafthand, their classification being determined on a length of service basis subject to the normal rules, their service as aircrew counting for this purpose. They will then be mustered "u/t the appropriate trade". On completion of training they will be granted the classification appropriate to the standard attained. They are to be afforded every facility by COs for reaching leading aircraftman standard as soon as possible. If they attain leading aircraftman standard on passing out or within twelve months of completing trade training they too will be granted an ante-date of seniority and will be eligible for promotion to NCO rank as in para. 4, sub-para. (b) above.
Aircrew without basic trades not selected for trade training and not basically mustered as aircrafthands prior to selection for aircrew duties - They will be remustered as aircrafthands, their classification being determined on a length of service basis subject to the normal rules, their service as aircrew counting for this purpose. If they reclassify as leading aircraftmen within twelve months of such remustering, they will be granted, an ante-date of that classification with effect from the date of entry into aircrew training, and they will be eligible for promotion to NCO rank as in para. 4, sub-para. (c) above.
Airmen. promoted to NCO rank under the above arrangements will be employed to the best advantage in the light of their trade capacity and experience, until they become sufficiently experienced to assume the full responsibility of their rank. They will be allowed a further period of twelve months for the above purpose, provided that refresher training, courses, etc are available. Subject to the above, airmen may be reduced in rank for inefficiency, in accordance with the normal rules.
Signallers, engineers and gunners, including direct entrants, to whom AMO A492/46 (as amended), para. 15, sub-para. (b), applies, and who elect to revert to ground service thereunder, will be remustered to their basic trade in group A or B or to the trade appropriate to their aircrew categories in accordance therewith. They will therefore be dealt with in accordance with paras 4 and 5 above, and in no case in accordance with Para. 6.
Aircrew permanently withdrawn flying duties for reasons within their own control. - Their cases will be considered individually on merits by the Air Ministry in the light of the recommendations furnished by the AOC concerned and the Commanding Officer, Aircrew Allocation Unit, South Cerney. They will not be eligible for an ante-date of seniority on attaining leading aircraftman standard. Normally, basic tradesmen will be remustered to their trade in the rank they would have attained but for aircrew employment. Those who were aircraftman, 1st class or 2nd class, prior to aircrew employment, will be granted normal facilities to reach leading aircraftman standard. Airmen without a basic trade will be remustered to aircrafthand in the classification of aircraftman, 2nd class, for entry into trade training. The provisions of this paragraph will apply to aircrew, whose disposal falls under Air Ministry letter S61141/Pt. 111/S 10(o), dated 29th May 1946, and who are retained in the Royal Air Force under that letter.
Substantive rank. - Regular airmen to whom this order applies and airmen who undertake a regular engagement will be eligible for the grant both of temporary and substantive rank in accordance with the rules laid down in paras 4 to 9 above. They will remain eligible, for the time being, for any temporary rank higher than the substantive rank which they may be granted or to which they may be promoted subsequently in accordance with current regulations, in addition to the substantive rank so granted. Such temporary rank will be subject to review in due course as indicated in AMO A650/45, as amended. In offering applicants (under AMOs A445/46, as amended by A597/46 and A844/46) a substantive rank in which they may enlist, etc, it will not be possible for the Air Officer i/c Records to take into account in advance the possibility of applicants successfully qualifying within twelve months for an ante-date of seniority and rank as provided in para. 4, sub-para. (a) above, in those cases in which the possibility of such an ante-date exists.
The position as regards pay and allowances of airmen who are remustered is set out in AMO A514/46, as amended.
(AM0s A197/44, A303/44, A410/44, A497/44, A709/44, A813/44, A487/45, A702/45, A997/45, A1048/45, A19/46, A240/46, A283/46, A314/46 and A977/46 cancelled)
Source - Air Ministry Order A152/47 dated 27 February 1947.
Designations and Mode of Address of Flying Personnel
The following designations are to be used in future in describing pilots, navigators, signallers engineers and gunners: -
All pilots. navigators, signallers, engineers and gunners are to be described generically as flying personnel.
Flying personnel of commissioned rank are to be described as "officers (flying)" in the plural and "officer (flying)" in the singular.
Flying personnel below commissioned rank are to be described as "aircrew" in the plural and airman (aircrew) in the singular.
(AMO A158/46 cancelled)
Source - Air Ministry Order A191/47 dated 13 March 1947.
Introduction of the General Duties Weapons Officer
Introduction
The armament organisation within the Royal Air Force consists of two components: -
The technical element which is concerned with research, design, production, inspection, testing and servicing of armament, weapons and equipment, and which is competent to direct and to advise the Air Staff on these technical matters.
The user or operational element which is concerned to ensure that the technical element is advised of operational requirements, that the best available weapon is selected for operational use, and that crews are trained to use the selected weapon to the best advantage.
Both functions of these components were mainly catered for in the past by giving technical training, as armament specialists, to general duties officers. There were, in addition, a few full-time technical officers employed in the technical component. It was hoped, by alternating the duties of the general duties specialists, to keep them up to date on both functions. In practice, such officers could not be fully competent technicians without detriment to their general duties career; and, consequently, to their knowledge, at first hand, of the applied side of their subject.
Changes in the armament organisation have now become necessary for the following reasons
The vast progress made in technical armament during the war has made it impracticable for one officer to be fully conversant with both components;
It is required to implement the decisions taken by the Air Ministry on the future of the technical services, as announced in AMO A1026/46,
It has, therefore, been decided to discontinue the training of general duties officers as armament specialists.
In the present organisation this will leave, apart from existing general duties 'A' officers, only bombing and gunnery leaders to carry on the important work on the operational side. Officers qualified as bombing and gunnery leaders will become increasingly scarce beyond unit level in the immediate post-war period, because, except for those selected for permanent commissions, both navigators and gunners group A will be on short term aircrew service. Also the training given to bombing and gunnery leaders is in the narrow specialists' field of their own aircrew category, and does not adequately cover weapon effects, the pilot's side, nor the more general aspects previously a part of the responsibility of general duties A specialists. For these reasons it has been decided to introduce a general duties "weapons officer" to cover the user or operational element outlined in para. 1, sub-para. (b) above.
Training
Courses - There will be two stages in the training of weapons officers: -
All permanent commissioned general duties officers will complete a short course of three months on air weapons at the Empire Armament School during their service in the rank of flying officer. This course is not optional. It is part of the necessary training of all regular officers on the combatant aspect of their work. It will include air training in the use of weapons, an introduction to the problems involved in the assessment of weapon effectiveness, and the means of selection of the best weapon for specific targets.
A selected small percentage of graduates of the three months' course will be eligible to do a second course during their service in the rank of flight lieutenant. The duration of this course, which will be known as the "Weapons Course", has not yet been finally decided but it will be of the order of six months. It will include air training to bring officers up to date in the latest operational usage of weapons, a more precise study of weapon effectiveness, target classification and weapon selection and the study of methods of air training and the assessment and analysis of results. Qualification on this course will carry the award of the symbol "W".
Selection - Nominations for the Short Weapons Course (three months) will be made by the Air Ministry (DP 3) on a time basis from amongst all general duties permanent commissioned officers. Selection for the "Weapons Course" will be as follows: -
When available, volunteers from graduates of the short course will be called for. Applications will be examined and selections made of the most suitable officers.
As an interim measure, selections will be made from RAF officers, holding permanent commissions or extended service commissions in any of the following categories, who volunteer for the course: -
Bombing loaders.
Gunnery leaders.
Pilot attack instructors.
General duties armament specialists.
Technical Branch armament specialists who originated in the, General Duties Branch, who hold a flying brevet, and who volunteer for transfer back to the General Duties Branch, subject to the conditions described in para. 11 below.
The syllabus of the course during this interim period will be adapted to the different standards of the intakes and will accordingly differ from the final Weapons Course in such respects as will be necessary to bring officers to the same ultimate standard. A few specially selected officers of the categories (i) to (v) above will be granted the symbol "W "by reason of their training and experience and will not be required to take the interim course.
A further Air Ministry order will give adequate warning of the commencement of these courses and applications should not be submitted until it is issued. Vacancies will be reserved on the Short Weapons Course, the Weapons Course and the interim Conversion Course, for officers of the Dominion Air Forces and it is hoped that the Dominions will be able to send representatives when the courses commence.
Courses
The introduction of the weapons officer scheme aims first to improve the knowledge of all regular general duties officers on the subject of air armament, so that by the time they reach responsible staff and command appointments they will have the thorough knowledge necessary to the efficient performance of their duties. It is for this reason that all regular general duties officers are to undergo the course of three months' duration referred to in para. 4 above. Qualification on such a course early in an officer's career would not of itself ensure that the thorough knowledge necessary for later appointments was attained. It is envisaged, therefore, that officers, after passing this course, will be utilised within squadrons to supervise and co-ordinate the work of the aircrew instructors and to assist squadron and flight commanders to organise and assess air armament training. In this way regular officers will have the opportunity, through use and practice, to improve still further their knowledge of the weapons with which our aircraft are armed.
Subsequently, all regular officers will be kept up to date on air weapons by the inclusion of study, on the subject in preparation for promotion examinations, which will, in future, include a paper on air armament. The possibility of including further study of the subject at the RAF Staff College is also receiving close attention.
The Weapons Course will give the opportunity for still further study of the subject and will equip those officers who will be required to fill established appointments as weapons officers, with the latest and most up to date information. The number of officers required will depend on the final number of established posts, multiplied by a factor to allow sufficient numbers to ensure that no officer is employed in a weapons officer appointment for longer than two years in every five. This is being done so that there is no repetition of the shortage of specially trained officers, which so adversely affected some general duties officers' careers in the past.
The appointments for weapons officers, i.e., those qualified "W" will consist of posts for instructors to the Weapons Courses, and co-ordinating instructor posts at other aircrew schools; there may be a post on the flying wing headquarters on stations, although this has not yet been finally decided; there will be a few posts in tactical and experimental establishments; and there will be posts on the Air Staff of formation headquarters and at the Air Ministry for officers in their second and third appointments. Thus all posts are directly connected with flying or are within Air Staff.
Existing armament specialist and leader categories
The position of existing "A" specialists and armament leader categories as a result of tho introduction of weapons officers will be as follows: -
"A" specialists. - A separate Air Ministry order
(to be issued shortly) will deal with the action to be taken by existing
general duties "A" officers and ex-general duties technical "A" officers
who wish to be considered for re-classification as general duties
weapons officers by means of the Conversion Course referred to in para 4
above. Until these reclassifications can be made, general duties
"A" officers may be employed in weapons officers posts as they become
established.
(Note - This order will also deal with those general duties
officers wishing to transfer to the Technical Branch, and with
engineering and signals specialists of the General Duties and Technical
Branches, who may wish to be considered for transfer in either
direction.)
Bombing and gunnery leaders - The introduction of the weapons officer makes bombing and gunnery leaders redundant, although bombing and gunnery instructors will remain a requirement. Existing bombing and gunnery leaders may therefore apply for reclassification as weapons officers, together with other categories enumerated in para. 4 above, as soon as the commencement of the Conversion Course is announced. Pending this course, bombing and gunnery leaders may be employed in weapons officers posts, as they become established.
Pilot attack instructors. - The pilot attack
instructor is not called a leader, but he has in fact filled a leader
capacity in fighter squadrons in the same way that bombing and gunnery
leaders have in other units. Pilot attack instructors are,
therefore, eligible for conversion to weapons officers if they wish, and
also for employment in weapons officer posts as they become established,
pending the availability of fully qualified officers.
From the date of this order all graduates of the Bombing Instructors' Course and the Free Gunnery Instructors' Course will be called "instructors" whether they hold commissioned or non-commissioned rank.
Source - Air Ministry Order A265/47 dated 3April 1947.
Title
Text
Source - Air Ministry Order A265/47 dated 3April 1947.
This entry was last updated on 18/01/26
