Airforces

efficiencies. “We have a statement of training
requirement, which means I am told by Typhoon
Force Headquarters how many people I need to
train, and I need to get them out of the door in
the right timeframe. That’s what this squadron
is all about. We can’t widen the training
pipeline, or increase the resource, so I’ve got
to pull another lever, one that affects how long
a student spends in that pipeline. The OCU
course needs to be shortened, but we cannot
pass that skillset training back to the front line.
“We are working to increase throughput by
reducing the number of ‘events’ a student
has to complete,” he continues. “In the past,
the OCU had a one-size-fits-all approach,
whereby whether a student is an ab initio
from Valley or a 2,000-hour F-16 pilot coming
from the USAF on exchange, they all did the
same syllabus. In reality, we can leverage
any previous experience, so we need to be
able to tailor the course for an individual.
However, that creates complexity, and a one-
course-fits-all approach makes everyone’s
life easier, but we don’t have that luxury
any more – we have to leverage experience
because that’s where efficiencies lie.”
By mid-2019, the majority of crossover
pilots from the Tornado GR4 will have been
retrained. Gone are the days of swathes
of crossovers from the Jaguar, Harrier and
Tornado F3 communities, and aside from a
handful of exchange students, the vast majority
of students coming to the OCU will be ab initios
from Valley. Consequently, the Typhoon OCU is
looking to push parts of the course ‘upstream’.
No IV Squadron and the Central Flying School
have worked hard to make the transition to
the Typhoon seamless. Introducing certain
elements, such as an emulated radar in the
Hawk T2, means operating the radar isn’t
an alien process for the new Typhoon pilots
when they arrive at Coningsby. However, the
Hawk T2 has more strings to its bow. For

example, it’s fitted for night-vision goggles,

so there may be potential to introduce some

additional elements of the Typhoon course

earlier, such as night close formation. This

generates the same benefit as the radar

work: the student is already familiar, thereby

de-risking some of the flying in the Typhoon.

“As of next year, Valley will be our primary

source of students,” comments Stu. “We need

to increase their exposure to new things on

the Hawk to de-risk the training here. Take

flying a visual intercept, for example. If they

fly that in the T2 with the same procedures

as we use here, the overall training burden

is less. We cannot afford for students to

come here and need remedial work, so

it’s about aligning the training system.”

The Hawk T2 course at Valley is seen as a

critical phase in ensuring the output to the

front line is achieved to all of the desired

levels, and it will be the same when it comes

to the F-35. In addition, efficiently progressing

students through the entire training pipeline

will enable seamless transitions between

the various stages, ensuring better learning,

fewer delays and securing maximum return

on the investment in young pilots with a

long service career still ahead of them.

The ‘Whole Force’ approach also has a major

role to play. BAE Systems’ apprentices are

working on the flight line at No 29 Squadron,

learning their trade as part of their training

programme. This is aimed at ensuring there are

sufficient Typhoon technicians for the future.

The apprentices also plug gaps in RAF manning

levels as and when required. It’s part of the

new working relationship between the RAF,

BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. In a similar

way, the Typhoon Total Availability Enterprise

(TyTAN) contract sees BAE Systems being

incentivised for ensuring that the RAF achieves

greater performance from the Typhoon fleet.

Strapping into the front seat of the T-bird. The OCU always had an abundance of these on charge as the RAF acquired more
two-seaters as part of its Tranche 1 order.

Above: The increase in OCU training means less upgrade work is required on the front line. For now,

elements such as the Helmet Mounted Symbology System (HMSS) are consigned to the combat-ready

workup on the active-duty units.

82 // MAY 2018 #362 http://www.airforcesmonthly.com