Sponsored Reservist (SR) Pilot – Dave Thompson

Dave Thompson

Training Captain (Sponsored Reservist)

I joined AirTanker Services in September 2010 as one of the first Sponsored Reservist pilots on the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme.  Coming from a military background – principally in the operation of the VC10 and TriStar in the air transport and air refuelling roles – I have just completed 22 years’ service in the Royal Air Force.  My final six years in the RAF were spent as an instructor and examiner commanding the Standards and Evaluation Unit at RAF Brize Norton, with responsibilities for the professional standards of aircrew on the C-17, VC10 and TriStar.

From the inception of the FSTA programme, I have been very interested in the concept of amalgamating the best civilian and military expertise and practices under a single organisation to operate the RAF’s air refuelling and air transport service.  Therefore, to have the opportunity to get involved in setting up this unique service, in addition to piloting the world’s most modern tanker aircraft, will not only be professionally challenging but also very rewarding.  Primarily, I will be licensed as a civil pilot for AirTanker and will predominantly operate the civil registered aircraft in support of MoD tasks to places such as Cyprus and the Falkland Islands.  However, as a Sponsored Reservist pilot, I will also have the best of both worlds – maintaining an operational capability in the air refuelling role and when deemed necessary, deploying into theatre or on operations.  

My key responsibility up to our Introduction to Service is the development of the Military Operations Manual for the aircraft.  For the military registered aircraft, this will be based around the format required by EU-OPS. However, it will be adapted to incorporate specific military regulations and procedures, such as those required for air-to-air refuelling. 

Although I have only been with AirTanker for a short time, I have been very impressed by the dedicated team of professionals focused towards the delivery of the first aircraft and the start of the RAF’s new air transport and air refuelling service.  I am very pleased to be a part of that process and a member of the team providing the UK Armed Forces with such a capable aircraft and associated service.