A QUARTER of the trainee pilots in the Royal Air Force will be sacked in the latest stage of the the British government’s defence cuts.

Up to 100 student pilots are about to learn the news that they have no future in the service, London’s Daily Telegraph reported today. They are said to include some who are just a few flying hours hours away from earning their wings as fully qualified pilots. According to the newspaper up to 20 fast jet pilots, 30 helicopter pilots and 50 transport aircraft pilots would go.

Air Vice Marshal Mark Green, the head of RAF training, was said to be preparing to visit the three training schools to inform them of their fate. The cuts will mean the Ministry of Defence will effectively have to write off the £300 million ($479.42m) spent on their training, which can cost up to £4m a pilot, the newspaper said. Some trainees were said to have made last-ditch appeals to be given a year’s sabbatical, while others were said to have offered to take a pay cut in order to be able to stay on and complete their qualification.

One told the newspaper: “It’s a real kick in the teeth and I would be devastated if I was chosen for redundancy, as this is something I have worked for my entire life, through school, air cadets and university.”

The defence department would not comment directly on the report, although it pointed out that all three services were facing cuts under cost-cutting plans set out in last year’s Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Source: Press Association / theaustralian.com.au