Have a look at the 2018-19 pay levels for the RAF and you'll see that you don't have to be on PAS to be earning more than SAR TC - a top range Sgt is on £42K without adding in flying pay, a top range F Sgt is a shade under £50K.
RN Observers as a Lt could be on £40 - £48K depending on time in rank , again without flying pay.
Jim said those PAS rates were maximums but most of the rearcrew I worked with were on over £50K.
No fake news