Combines Company Role with that of RAF Reservist

One of Inzpire’s growing group of air warfare subject matter experts, Dr Al Allsop, has become one of the first Royal Air Force (RAF) reservists to fly the Eurofighter TYPHOON.

Demonstrating the value (and consistency) of Inzpire’s approach to training – that it is best provided by current or very recent practitioners who fully understand the complexity of military training and the stringent demands it makes upon individuals, groups and equipment – Dr Allsop’s role as an RAF reservist is underpinned by his role as an Inzpire Control-of-the-Air Expert. Part of the company’s team embedded with 29 Squadron, which facilitates the delivery of training to the RAF’s future Qualified Weapons Instructors (QWIs), his everyday involvement in frontline military exercises ensures that his skillset and knowledge is current, meaning that the expertise he will be passing on to students in his role as a reservist TYPHOON instructor is as relevant as possible, in line with current operational needs.

In a true demonstration of the Whole Force Approach, Al is currently going through TYPHOON refresher training with the RAF’s Operational Conversion Unit (OCU). On completion of the full refresher training syllabus, hewill be able to fulfil all tasks associated with the QFI role. His role will include planning, briefing and executing training flights as an instructor for TYPHOON students at the OCU: he will also be able to run debriefs for the students.

Al will also be providing synthetic instruction to OCU students, an area in which he has significant credibility: his PhD thesis at Cranfield University, ‘Determining the Extent to which Simulation can be used to Train RAF Pilots to Fly and Fight the Eurofigher TYPHOON, was recognised with the award of an MBE in the 2014 New Year’s Honours list for research into the use and limits of simulation to improve combat training. 

As well as his exceptional synthetic training knowledge, students flying with Al will also benefit from the experience he gained during his 23-year RAF career, spent teaching, flying and fighting in the best fast-jet platforms the RAF had to offer; from instructing on HAWKs at RAF Valley, through the second Gulf War in the HARRIER and finally the TYPHOON, where he was Instructor and Flight Commander for the Royal Saudi Air Force Training Flight and the Executive Officer on XI(F) Sqn. 

“In this important milestone year for the RAF as it celebrates its centenary, Inzpire is proud and honoured to support the TYPHOON Force by agreeing to one of our many talented employees, Dr Al Allsop, flying as a part-time reservist on TYPHOON. Around 80% of Inzpire employees are recruited from the forces, having served long and distinguished careers, and they remain proud and committed to continuing to serve their countries – Dr Al is a perfect example of this,” commented Inzpire Chief Operating Officer, Al Whittle.