Chug,
I’m not sure what you’re proposing? Bin any talk of sabbaticals and the RAF go for permanent employment options only?
You’re also viewing the problem with a lens of your own making. For a start you’re assuming that the sabbatical jobs the RAF will offer are cockpit based.
Your points about potential issues of ending sabbaticals are heard. Think it’s probably best to row back and leave those with the full picture to sort this one out - ie the relevant HR departments.