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Officer Commanding 16 Squadron

Vacancy summary

Royal Air Force
ECR 57441
OF-3 - Lt Cdr - Maj - Sqn Ldr
Squadron Leader

11/06/2023, 23:55 

November 2023
5 Years
Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Army
Flying
Pilot (FJ), Pilot (ISR), Pilot (ME), Pilot (RW)
RAF Wittering
Cambridgeshire
United Kingdom
FTRS - Limited Commitment

Vacancy detail

Subject to formal establishment, a vacancy may arise for a Squadron Leader (Flying – Pilot) to serve as Officer Commanding 16 Squadron at RAF Wittering on FTRS (LC) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 20 November 2023.

6 FTS is the largest and most diverse military flying training school in the country.  From its HQ at RAFC Cranwell, the school manages a broad range of flying tasks, from Elementary Flying training on University Air Squadrons to the provision of Air Experience Flying (AEF) for the Air Cadet Organisation. The ASTRA project will instigate significant change for 6FTS as it evolves to meet the 5 strategic pillars through the core themes of people and training

FTRS(LC) Officer Commanding 16 Squadron.  Responsibilities include;

Reporting to the Senior Operator, the Command of 16 Squadron RAF, provision of advice to Comdt 6 FTS on all aspects of Tutor operations; the standardisation of all 6 FTS flying instructors; the production, amendment and publishing of the Tutor Aircraft Document Set (in conjunction with DAPS); the arrangement of periodic 6 FTS standards meeting and publication of minutes; the completion of Standards Assurance visits to all 6 FTS flying locations at least biennially to deconflict with CFS Exam Visits  ; Act as primus inter pares of the 6 FTS squadron commanders at RAF Wittering to represent 6 FTS on station matters.  Specifically, you will be required to:

  • Maintain a minimum of A2 instructional category on the Tutor aircraft and CFS Accredited Instructor status; to achieve your standardisation tasks. The working week is normally Mon-Fri, but weekend working may be required periodically.
  • Act as the 6 FTS focal point for any RAF Wittering specific matters.
  • Deliver a programme of standardisation training to meet 6 FTS requirements and integrate with other 6 FTS units at RAF Wittering to ensure the most efficient usage of personnel and equipment in achieving 6 FTS aims.
  • Deliver a programme of standardisation visits to all 6 FTS
  • Command 16 Sqn; with associated Line Management responsibilities.
  • As required, stand in for OC 35 Trg Wg. 
  • Act as Tutor Display Deputy Supervisor when the Tutor Display pilot is Wittering-based
  • Provide SQEP support to 6 FTS ASMT.
  • Deliver Tutor SQEP advice to support change as directed by 6 FTS. 
  • Liaise with CFS Exam Wg to confirm instructional standards, trends and to co-ordinate any changes
  • Complete any specialist training courses required to fulfil your duties, eg Flying Authorisers/Supervisors Course, Aviation Medicine Course, Flt Safety Officer or PCMIO course.
  • Complete Mandatory Training Courses as required by RAF policy which includes Human Factors & Error Management Training, Diversity & Inclusion Training, Advanced Care of the Trainee and Defence Train the Trainer Course. Complete other courses mandated by HQ 6 FTS for UAS staff.
  • Lead and perform by example upholding RAF and societal values and standards. 
  • Act as an ambassador for diversity and inclusion. 
  • Support the zero tolerance policies regarding alcohol, substance abuse, harassment and bullying.  
  • Must either have been, or currently be, a Squadron Leader Pilot, or other Service equivalent, or a Flight Lieutenant Pilot eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3393 Vol 1 and AP 7000. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board.
  • If an applicant has been out of full-time military service and is applying for a post on promotion, they will also need to send their civilian appraisals or equivalent to evidence recent skills, knowledge and experience to be considered by the Promotion Board.
  • Current or previous A2 Qualified Flying Instructor.
  • Must have RAF Command Experience.
  • Must have a Full UK Driving Licence.
  • Flying; a minimum of 1000 hours flying experience (500 hours to be instructional) and previous QFI experience within the last 5 years
  • Current or previous CFS Accredited Instructor
  • Staff experience, flying training management and line management
  • Knowledge and understanding of RAF AP1, Ethos, Core Values and Standards.
  • Understanding of the 6FTS Mission Directive
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 applications
  • Current Tutor Qualified Flying Instructor.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 4 appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name:  Wg Cdr C S Cunningham

colin.cunningham713@mod.gov.uk

Tel:  03001552687

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 4 appraisal reports & Aircrew Inserts) should be sent to:

Name: Mr Jon Riddell                                                                                                   

jon.riddell104@mod.gov.uk          

The closing date for applications is 11 June 2023 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place week commencing 26 June 2023.

Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 5 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Applicants of an equivalent rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant.  The relevant Profession’s advisor approval must be agreed before the interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the QR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391 (Vol 3, Lft 207, Annex L, Para 1a).

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements. In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(LC/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. 

This opportunity is closed to applications.