Air Corps Reserve.

[Irish Marine]

I was wondering will the Air Corps ever look into forming an Irish Air Corps reserve force? Just like the Irish Army and the Irish Navy Reserve forces.  


"I was bord so I joined the Irish Air Corps Reserve"
  Hmm-It would be good to get more young people involved in military aviation-I guess.
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I think the display team supported by Bord Failta, would be a good way to go, with the aircraft run and 'owned' by the AIR Corp.
But we need not be talking of expensive or thirsty aircrafts here. Touch of Deja vue here, have we spoken about this before?
The old Rothmans team[victim of pc culture] used Pitts Speicals when their Stamps wore out, and were pretty exciteing, don't know what their reincarnation were/are called.
The Swiss Air Force, use PC-9's, but, to be quite blunt about it are mind-numbingly boering to watch.
This is not the fault of the aircraft, remember the 75th aniversary air show, we were boered to death by a Dutch F-16, then some looney came on with an Alpha-jet and woke everybody up.
Sorry, I'm wandering here, you might not be able to put together a display team useing reserve aircrew, summertime, they will be busy with their real job, bringing about a third of our population to hotter spots to attempt to get skin cancer and appear in dodgy Sky doucmentries.

[Lude]

I'd love if there was some kind of aviation reserve,its very frustrating because the other branches of the defence forces have them(FCA and Slua Muirí) and the air corps do not.
Is there any particular reason why this is so or is just because the financial aspect of setting up some kind of aircorps reserve is much greater than lets say running the FCA?
I agree with you Marine it would be great to get more people involved in military aviation alright.
But I suppose there is some good reason for there not being any Aircorps reserve.

[FMolloy]

The only viable Air Corp reserve would be a copy of the RAF Regiment. There is no real need for a group of reserve pilots at the moment due to the lack of aircraft.

I think there was a pilots reserve at one stage, drawn from ex-Air Corp pilots. If there was the need for a reserve of pilots it would make sense to repeat this process.

[FiannaFail]

Excellent point Irish Marine!! You are certainly on a roll today!! It is something i have always thought would be useful.  In some countries, including North of Ireland, such groups exist in the universities and are extremely useful!
FF

[Imshi-Yallah]

The best way to maintain a pilot reserve would be to offer former pilots semi-state employment with a civilian operated HEMS, CG and GASU service.
But that would still require there to be enough airframes to go around, the pilots reserve used to just knock about in the Rockets once a year.
As for a dedicated ground reserve this would only be necessary if the A/C was to operate forward refuelling bases, tactical airfields etc otherwise army elements can do the job.
Besides who'd attack the Don with the mighty FF on hand to irritate them to death.

[nonexistantfoo]

I think the only reserve-esque service the air corps could consider would be an air display team. Equip them with some Pitts specials or something, or maybe reconditioned ex air corps planes, I've said before I'd love a display team consisting of 2 vampires and 2 magisters, actually i'm sure everyone would love that.

Anyway they'd be a display team, sponsored by Bord Fáilte, that would represent this country at home and abroad, flown by ex air corps pilots - but they'd be officially considered part of the air corps structure. Even if they were only equipped with small prop aircraft they could function as target tugs... anyway just a suggestion '>

[Silver]

Not a bad idea at all, foo' !

I believe there should be some form of "Air Cadets" established. It would be a good way for the AC to see possible future pilots in action.
It would also do wonders in raising the AC's public profile - never a bad thing!

The Air Cadets could be run by ex-AC pilots (or current pilots) on a voluntary basis.
The Cessnas could be retained for this group (when they are withdrawn for AC use) along with a few purchased gliders.

[nonexistantfoo]

Ack just put the kaibosh on my own plan: the fouga/vampires would be thirsty feckers.. they'd really need that Bord Fáilte sponsership.

Its a nice idea though, the older cessna's and jets being kept airworthy, that added to a bit of young blood from your cadettes proposal and the elite of the old air corps pilots would do wonders for morale i'd bet. And maybe the weekend warriors would keep the air corps proper, on their toes '>

Ok... yes back to reality........ ah yes... its bleak innit
 '>

[John K]

Hey Guys, back in 1986 I got called back for my first year on the reserve with a letter that said " ...bring plenty of beer money!!" Well I didn't get called back after that, although I was officially on three years reserve and the reason was that they didn't want to pay the money to reservists, that's the story! Cutbacks, even in the face of the Celtic Tiger. Lets face it why should the Irish Government spend money on defence when they know that if anything should happen the RAF would step in with proper fighters. Makes you wonder why Ireland broke away from the UK in the first place!