Air Force pay at lower altitude

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 1

Air Force pay at lower altitude

PA Wellington A young person would be irresponsible to stay in the Royal New Zealand Air Force because the pay . structure had fallen so far behind the civil sector, says the Chief of Air Staff, Air ViceMarshal Pat Neville. ; In a background paper to the Defence Council,, Air, Vice-Mar-shal Neville blames! ■ high salaries, a longer flying career, stability for the family and status in the community offered by civil airlines for the critical level of aircrew departures from the . Air Force. "The Air Force pay structure has fallen so far behind the civil sector that, setting aside all other considerations but money, a young person, married Or unmarried, would be irresponsible to stay in the R.N.Z.A.F.,” he said. “The military is virtually in a no contest situation unless remedies are found. Attractive civil aviation employment is assessed to remain for the rest of this century and to grow in its demands for personnel.” The paper went before the Defence Council on April 14 and formed the basis for a decision taken by the Government to offer air crews a $25,000 bonus

to remain an extra 12 months in the Service. The Government hopes that in the meantime a crucial pay and conditions review within the Services due for completion by the end of the year will come up with further inducements to hold experienced staff. The "Evening Post” said it had obtained the paper under the Official Information Act after an early rejection by the Ministry of Defence, then an appeal to the chief Ombudsman. In a covering letter to the "Post,” the Defence Secretary, Mr Denis McLean, said he had deleted two paragraphs on the grounds that making them public would be likely to prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand. Air Vice-Marshal Neville said it cost $2 million to produce one effective pilot and with 34 pilots at December,-1987, having submitted requests for release, the cost of their replacement, without taking time into account, would approach $56 million. “It appears therefore unavoidable to bow to market-induced forces by using the coinage of the marketplace by paying people enough to. keep, them committed to their chosen pursuit,” he said.