The end after 24 years in military aviation.

[anonymous-user]

So this is part BP&T, part Jobs & Employment and a bit Loungey too, but for what it's worth and for those who are interested.....
This afternoon I shook the boss's hand, surrendered my ID card, took one last look in the hangar and then came home, bringing to an end 24 years in the Royal Air Force, all of it on the Chinook force, first as a techy, then latterly as a crewman, racking up over 2000 hours, from Northern Ireland to Afghanistan via pretty much all stops in between.
I guess I could launch in to a Blade Runnneresque "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe....." but then again, nor would I had I not seen them with my own eyes.
To those I leave behind, stay strong, stay safe, and continue to uphold the finest traditions of a sadly dying breed. You are The Few for the 21st century.
To all the civvies out there........is there room for one more?

APU to 'stop', battery 'off'

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 29th September 01:00

[SeeFive]

Profile says Hampshire. Odiham?

Can you pick up my washing line and TV aerial on the way out and drop it home for me please?

Thank you for your time looking after us over the years (and keeping me awake at at night passing at rooftop level ), and of course good luck with the boring life in Civvy Street.

[Olf]

Here's to your next life. Good luck and best wishes!

[Farm boy]

Crossflow Kid said:

APU to 'stop', battery 'off'

Heres to you CK.

I live on a farm between Winchester & 'Stoke. Love you guys flying over and even the *ahem* non rehearsed 360's they do at times.

Are you retiring or what awaits you?
I could buy you a pint sometime (was at the 'show' in Odiham last weekend - didn't stay long)

Thanks for keeping those bds flying

[AV12]

Nice one. I'd love to become a reserve.

[mark387mw]

Crossflow Kid said:

continue to uphold the finest traditions of a sadly dying breed. You are The Few for the 21st century.

too true and not many left at all. I took redundancy 6 years ago after 25 years and the RAF is not the same as it used to be!!

Enjoy the freedom and now you can do whatever you want to do

(are there any civvy jobs left anymore, just in case I return to Blighty?)

[Eric Mc]

Best of luck as a newly recruited civvie.

[anonymous-user]

Farm boy said:

Are you retiring or what awaits you?

I've got a position waiting for me in the company that turn this:

in to this:

and this:

in to this:


So I've gone from flying for a living and Land Rovers as an interest, to Land Rovers for a living and flying as an interest.

[Asterix]

Nice one CK. Hope the future pans out well.

[Lefty]

Nice one! Land Rover SV or one of the independants?

Anyway, if you decide to get back into aviation there are lots of ex airforce chaps in Aberdeen working on the super puma and ec225 for bond and bristows. Money's pretty decent I believe.

Good luck!

[KrazyIvan]

Title said:

The end after 24 years...

Christ I read that and thought it was another marriage breakdown thread.

Good luck for the future

[anonymous-user]

Lefty said:

Land Rover SV or one of the independants?

It's with a large indepedant.
Aeronautical engineering isn't really an option as I crossed over from that trade way back in 1996....and don't have any licenses.
Without them, the money ain't so good. Anyway, I figured a change is as good as a rest.

[Doug Phillips]

Crossflow Kid said:

Farm boy said:

Are you retiring or what awaits you?

I've got a position waiting for me in the company that turn this:

in to this:

and this:

in to this:


So I've gone from flying for a living and Land Rovers as an interest, to Land Rovers for a living and flying as an interest.

So you new job is putting on the stickers on them , good luck in you new job mate .

[anonymous-user]

Yes Doug, yes that's right. I think I get to test the pretty lights too.

[Fat Albert]

Nice one CK, when did you go through Shawbury?
I went through in 1988/89 on courses 67 & 68 (yes I was back-flighted before I was chopped)
Glad you have something to go to.

Clear above and behind, up 10, height is good, steady!

[Ginge R]

X-flow,

Having spent a fair bit of time on the Rockery there (and with 33), I'm in and out of Odious often with business. Civvy Street is good - might see you around on prune sometime.

Good luck.. clear hot. ;-)

[Amused2death]

Well done and thank you for your efforts over the years. (And congratulations on the length of service, I'd be off after 2 years tops )

Hope your return to civvie street doesn't make you wonder if it was worth it......

[siko]

Good luck bob, job looks good...better than triple-hooking and miniguns though?
No Dunker ever again, just cherish the thought!

[siko]

Grrr damn IPhone!!

[PaulG40]

Glad to see you've got a good job to go into!

Out of interest, what jobs are generally out there for ex-crewmen (NCA loady) or rather what do most of you go on to?

I only ask as I've recently decided against cross trading from techie and going for NCA (although yes it's closed at mo) and head over to the 'darkside' instead as I was concerned over pension and civvie job opportunities after the RAF.

Did you PVR or get redundancy, or was it end of your engagement?

Good luck in the future, massive respect for chinny cabbies