I’ve seen many classroom based lectures conducted in MTP and there are quite a few virtual parades I’ve seen done in MTP. I don’t have a problem with that at all, I’m just not sure why some on here take issue with flying suits…we are the AIR Cadets you know!
I think it’s because a flying suit is specifically designed as a protective outer garment for flying operations, and that the whole QAIC ‘teaching in flying suits issue’ arose at a time when the RAF were specifically trying to ‘encourage’ their own aircrew to stop wearing them as routine - instead requiring No 2 to be worn when not on flying duties.
I think it rather awoke memories of a similar QJL “look at me, I’m special” mindset.
Personally I don’t lose sleep over it because I see so few of them anywhere, but it does strike me as bloody stupid to be donning an item of operational protective clothing when venturing no further than a classroom.
I think of it akin to putting coveralls on to teach a STEM theory lesson.
1 Like
that made me chuckle
The RAF asks us to volunteer and wear its uniform (with modifications) in order to convey to cadets the whole RAF experience. Otherwise, we might as well wear hoodies and baseball caps! shudders
I think the wearing of flying suits should therefore be encouraged at every opportunity to fulfil that purpose. We need to remember, we’re not the RAF, we have a different function which sometimes means wearing flying suits, MTP or whatever when strictly not necessary. If someone wants to don a flying suit then good luck to them I say and if that makes them a bit of a walt for doing so then I’m not that bothered. The measure of a CFAV is their enthusiasm and commitment for delivering the cadet experience, not what they wear surely? Frankly though, as a strong believer in the air cadets being ‘air minded’, if I see more flying suits in the RAFAC than MTP, I will be a very happy chap!
1 Like
although i doubt many will disagree with your point, and in particular…
…it is a case wearing which ever uniform in the right context.
some would prefer we wore No1s more often, if only to show off the medals have have.
Others prefer to be in No3s as it feels more “real military” and easier to be mistaken as a regular (I know i have received more comments of “thanks for all you do” from the public when in No3s Vs my blues when i have run an errand before/after duty)
there are some that just love to be in flying suits as they want to be seen as pilot.
but whatever the uniform is preferred it has to be justified.
is No1s justified or necessary to teach classifications? likewise for No3s or Flying suits when it is a classroom based subject.
that is wear people have beef.
i know some who insist on running radio courses in No3s as the Cadets spread out around the compound to offer separation between groups. because they are “walking on the grass” and potential for dirtying their parade shoes the course is run in No3s - but it there is no need.
likewise for flying suits - if you’re not going near an aircraft (and by that I mean airborne) when teaching air nav for example (and purely classroom based subject) why is the flying suit required? it is no more justified than No1s or 3s as a classroom based activity
You mean everybody isn’t wearing full 5s for their Teams calls?.. Oh.
2 Likes
only for the WSO cheese and biscuit evenings 
2 Likes
Unfortunately you see, that’s where most people, including the senior RAF commanders, disagree with you. Whoever came up with the idea of letting QAIC cadets don a flying suit for any lesson they happen to be teaching was not only doing the course a disservice by attracting justified criticism; they were doing so against the explicit orders of the RAF who are trying to stamp out exactly that practice.
As we are regularly told we are a “light blue” organisation.
I have no issue whatsoever with wearing the right kit for the right task, but that’s the weakest of reasons. Flying suits are intended for wearing in aircraft. Wearing them solely for classroom training is equally as unecessary as making cadets turn out in long sleeves and tie for car parking duties.
Pointing out that we’re not the RAF means there’s even less reason for them to be worn by us than by regular aircrew.
The default is supposed to be working blues, with other modes of uniform worn when there is a need for them.
You ask why people don’t like it… THIS is why. It’s the attitude that says “to hell with the RAF and their uniform regulations, let’s let a few special people dress up like pilots whenever they fancy to show how special they are”.
3 Likes
Growbag = throbber.
I learnt principles of flight (admittedly some time ago) from a bloke in razer sharp creased trousers, shirt, tie and blazer - but this chap had merely flown stringbags off carriers in the Med and Arctic, so perhaps he can’t be compared to the kind of uber-God who’s done a QAIC course…
6 Likes
May I ask, what was your response when people say “Thanks for all you do”
This is not a gotcha question, but a genuine question.
I’m newly uniformed so not had this… and it would be good to have a “stock response” just in case.
(The same as saying Good Morning/Afternoon To be polite if being saluted by a regular on the very rare occasion I see the inside of a on RAF station! Rather than “Thank you”)
1 Like
I say “thank you”
Not because I am taking credit for the work of the regulars but for the reason that stopping to explain that actually I run an RAFAC sqn would possibly diminish their view of the forces and their original reason for thanking.
On occasion when people have followed up with a what do you do. I tell them the truth, I am the OC of an air cadet Sqn. Proudly.
1 Like
@anon9987823 pretty much this ^^^^
It’s the odd occasion when getting a lunch meal deal on my way on to a training course, forgetting a pint of milk/something for dinner in Tesco Metro on my way home so never a situation which encourages long conversations with a complete stranger
1 Like
Thanks … As a squadron we do many public events and we do get a lot of, albeit fleeting, interaction with the public… Good to have an idea of what others do so you don’t look like a blustering idiot* by trying to endlessly explain what it is we do when someone was just trying to pass a quick compliment, or appear ungrateful in those few moments someone is trying to say something nice…
*This is tricky, as blustering idiot is my default mode.
[off topic]
oh when “working” at a public event it is completely different.
unlike comments made in the shops/on the street (and i confess this hasn’t happened in a while, only really when the Armed Forces are in the news (ie read wars) who tend to be a mix of all ages, even had a toddler salute me once) if the public wish to talk at events they are 99% a veteran, either Armed Forces, or former Cadet and wish to talk about their time/golden years in uniform, in the belief that we (CFAVs) have the time and are interested in what they say. I guess this comes down to that generation feeling more lonely than the rest of us, and see a familiar uniform so have a connection to spark up conversation.
the exception to this is the compliment paid in passing “your cadets are doing a wonderful job/look very smart/that young lad was very kind and well mannered, he’s a credit to you”
to which a “thank you Sir/Ma’am” is enough before they have walked past and out of earshot
i can’t think of an occasion i have needed to explain who i am/what we do - other than
“who are you then?”
“we’re 123 (Anytown) Squadron Sir”
“ahh i was a Cadet 456 (Townville), its long gone now but we won the Drill competition every year, our WO was a real bars…” and so it goes on
[/off topic]
1 Like
i wear all arms commando qualification badge and para wings earned during a previous career on all appropiate uniforms and no one bats an eye lid
Alright mate we’ve all done stuff
4 Likes
but as a military qualification why would it be questioned on a military “uniform”??
there are Senior RAF Officer who no doubt still wear their Wings yet haven’t flown a Tornado/Harrier/ in 10+ years - not relevant to their role but still worn.
as an example:
the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston flew Tornado GR4s but based on his biography via Wiki doubt has flown since 2015 at least - no his history as a pilot is not vital for the role, so why should he continue to wear it? we’ll it was earned (much like your commando and para wings) and is relevant to the organisation and uniform worn
I think people would bat an eye lid when non military insignia was worn - anyone fancy putting their BCU 2 star on their No1s?
Commando Dagger is also in the regs, so…
I dispute that’s ‘not relevant to their role’ anyway.
In the same way that in a civilian airline, there are non-flying jobs that require you to hold or have held an ATPL, you can’t be ODH for flying units if you aren’t a pilot.
By this I mean they no longer fly - the qualification/skill is no longer used.
I accept that the experience as a pilot is required for some roles…in much the same way GCSEs are. But GCSE/A-level/degree qualification badges aren’t worn as they’re not part of the organisation