The 2025 warning order is out! This caught my eye:
As RIAT is considered a no fail task by HQ Air, it is considered a priority activity for allocation of VA. All attending uniformed CFAV are to receive VA for their total attendance in their substantive rank. A limited number of personnel based on overall risk responsibility are approved to receive VA at acting rank and Region COSs will be notified of these individuals in due course.
Give how strict some areas of a country are being with VA and other public-money expenditure; Why is RIAT a āno fail taskā? Weāve got staff not getting VA to go away and get trained up to deliver activities, but RIAT is a blanket approved event?
Also this āno fail taskā attitude explains why we ended up in the situation where it was going ahead despite the red weather warnings a few years ago. It seems like a dangerous mentality to have for any event we do. The idea that it must happen no matter whatā¦ So, why is RIAT a āno fail taskā? Is it because we are relied on too heavily with no backup?
This āThe show must go onā mentality is a very easy way to compromise that safety. Again, see RIAT 2022 where it went ahead despite red weather warning, and that led to many people getting injured. But Iāve seen it at a smaller scale too.
to defend the WO this statement comes under the VA paragraph only and it trying to highlight the importance of RIAT and that VA will be allocated regardless of other conditions.
however - it is odd choice of wording the first line could be edited to remove words accordingly:
As RIAT is considered a no fail task by HQ Air, it is considered a priority activity for allocation of VA
gets the message across without creating more questions.
The answer will be money. RIAT raises a lot of money and RAFAC benefits from that. Itās like big car parking used to be for some Sqns. Not our core business but provide funding for lots of other activities.
Off topic - well, there was a fail with the No8,*** a fail with the L144 (call that a double fail with early end of service) & a fail with the L81ā¦ I see a pattern there!
Huge domino effect on the horizon - lack of cadets / knowledge who will take up shooting more seriously, when the L144 bites the dust, then it is inevitable that RFCAs will also close those ranges for cost saving measures - this will also hit schools who have MOD-sponsored ranges.
Big meeting in a couple of weeks between NRA / CCRS + others to see what can (canāt?) be done. Not 100% sure that CCRS want to rock the boat??
***I think that the No8 is still made at the old Lee Enfield factory in Ishapore India - who wants to buy one?
They do a sniper rifle too - put iron sights on it, thatā'll do for the L81 replacement.
although i know you are offering this in jest, in reality the trouble is RIAT is so popular that there are always more volunteers available and willing to do a role* than places available and so those āgoing on strikeā would be readily replaced - or at least told to get back in line or risk losing their place
*whether they be suitably experienced, knowledgable, skilled to be the right choice
If this is the case, why are we needing to guarantee VA? If VA is supposedly a bit of a carrot on a stick, but youāre saying to incentive would be needed here?
The application of VA to all, for the whole event is a bit of a kick in the teeth to those who have had VA refused for events which historically would have attracted it. Hence I would be happy to see insufficient CFAV volunteers to allow it to function - but we all know that there are those who will support the party line and attend no matter what.
This has always confused me. I maybe donāt fully understand the benefits of RIAT, but financial shouldnāt be one of them. Otherwise, are we not just using it to turn public money into non-public money. ie all the VA and travel costs, in return we get donations from (someone?)? We are not allowed to claim VA for local fundraising, is RIAT different? Do we actually see any financial benefit from it?
I have always seen RIATs benefits being a bit of a quid pro quo. We go and help out, do lots of work for them. In return we get an excellent camp that is generally well enjoyed, plus access to the air show and some PR space.
this is a good question. but i think it is not offered as a carrot on a stick in that sense. more a case of regardless what else a CFAV has done prior to RIAT, the VA claim will be paid (ie it doesnāt matter if you have already exhausted your days/eligible claim for VA by July, HQAC will pay VA for all uniform CFAVs attending)
unless i am mistaken VA is not guaranteed anymore without prior permission (Ie CACE form) - this Warning Order is indicating VA has been approved and thus guaranteed to be paid
Since 2013, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, has been gifted over Ā£6.5 million by its trading company, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises
Weāre proud of our close association with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) and, over the years, have provided them with many grants. They stage their biggest camp at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).
Supporting adventurous training expeditions through the Ulysses Trus
In 2022, we supported the RAFAC in launching the first BTEC Level 2 in Space Studies
The course is open to all 920 Air Cadet Squadrons and 220 Combined Cadet Force units across the UK. Weāre hugely excited to support this initiative and our grant of Ā£40,000 will help inspire cadets to learn more about the final frontier.
Our Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JRPSS) and Junior Officer Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JOPSS) enable the flying clubs of the RAF (RAF Sport Aircraft)
these are just some quick examples i have found. I understand that the donation to the RAFAC has typically been at least 6 figures annually, but this is often as a lump sum, i am guessing the Ā£40k above was a specific grant towards the BTEC and so easily quoted figure
I recall the ACE platforms (the toilet block looking trailer that had flight sims inside was (partly) funded from the RIAT donations - of course they were only ever rolled out at RIAT so was it worth it?)
in short the organisation benefits financially yes - there are also āsoft benefitsā in ābeing seenā by the public, and the various shoulder rubbing done with VIPs and industry leaders that takes place
We routinely see the statement that all RAFAC activities are discretionary - from Cab downwards. Apart from RIAT? Is that due to the large pool of free labour the RAF can draw upon?
Bwahahaha