Sir - Your article "A different guard" (Flight International, 7-13 February, P34) about civilian employment of former military pilots was interesting and well done.
I was expecting, however that the feature would address not only licence conversion and initial training, but also the issues which arise when the dust of training settles and routine sets in. These include, for instance, issues of crew resource management, co-ordination and co-operation and adaptation to civilian mentality.
Since, as you point out, these pilots have high self-esteem, how then do they cope with change from flying single pilot at Mach 2 to being second in command and having to fly so as not so spill the champagne in business class?
When captaincy time comes around, do they hear what the co-pilot and/or flight engineer is telling them, or do they run a "one-man show"?
CHRISTOPHER TZAKIS
Thessaloniki
Macedonia, Greece
Source: Flight International