RAF Drone Pilot Wings

[MRAF]

Originally Posted by Gaznav

The RPAS(P) badge is now obsolete and all Pilot(ISR) RPAS are entitled to wear the same Flying Badge as the other pilots. That changed on 1 Apr 19.

This is true. They were originally developed for RPAS Pilots that came through a new flying training system to only fly Remotely Piloted air Systems. However, due to the Combat experience that they have been involved in and as the skills have proved to be as equally difficult for both pure RPAS and traditional manned pilots, it soon became a divisive and discriminatory badge. The additional issue of earmarking RPAS crews in public became an issue too.
It was decided that this 2 tier system was counter productive and therefore the full Pilots Flying Badge has subsequently been awarded to all RPAS(P) and the badge is discontinued.

So if you have one in your collection, it will be increasingly rare as it lasted all of about 3 years.

Interestingly, there is now a review into other non-traditional aircrew badges which will include the FC, AT and IA brevets and may add additional crew members to become eligible such as RPAS Mission Intelligence Coordinators (MIC), that may all be brought under a single badge. Design still to be announced.

[54Bty]

Interestingly, there is now a review into other non-traditional aircrew badges which will include the FC, AT and IA brevets and may add additional crew members to become eligible such as RPAS Mission Intelligence Coordinators (MIC), that may all be brought under a single badge. Design still to be announced.


Does that mean we may see another badge similar to that below, or just have more qualifications added to the list of who can wear it?

Marc

[Gaznav]

When I get news on this I will post it here. The messaging for some recently approved Flying Badge changes is being drafted right now (note Flying Badges - not Brevets, as they are certificates! ).