RAF AVO (Aviation Officer)?

[ricardian]

Have just chatted with a chap who joined the RAF in 1970, left in 1998 to become an AVO and retired in 2012. I asked what was an AVO? To which he replied:

Aviation Officer, some bright spark in MOD, thought up a scheme to save money on Air Traffic Controllers. From memory there were ten of us, 6 x WO and 4 x FS. We left the RAF, did a condensed commissioning course at RAFC Cranwell, and graduated as Flt’s. Full commission, not reservists, we were interviewed for our postings before leaving RAF. Not liable to postings, therefore service maintained experience at certain stations, not entitled to housing or medical cover. Uniformed positions. No secondary duties, paid by Civil Service, so in effect, RAF saved 10 controller’s wages and future pension entitlements.

Seems very odd to me but I was demobbed in 1973 so things will have moved on a lot in the last 50 years. Would be interested in the views of Mrs Ex-Ascot.

[Mrs Ex-Ascot]

New one on me, obviously a new scheme thought up after I departed the RAF in 1997.

Doesn't sound like it was a resounding success.......

[Boac]

Having departed Betty's Flying Circus even earlier, to me an Avo was a meter.

[k3k3]

At least it fit into the way things are, it was black!

[Boac]

Is resistance futile?