Sim vs Real
My feeling is that, whilst we (and other Air Forces) have more than one platform, F35 should be a second tour.
A pilot that has built up a solid base as either a Creamie/FAIP or Typhoon (insert other type here) pilot will have a solid base of airmanship and then F35 is a great stepping stone. The lack of airborne hours will not matter so much then.
Obviously this is not an enduring solution (although it could be) and it does not mean that first tourist F35 pilots will not be perfectly capable but it does fill an obvious hole with regard to airborne experience.
Companion trainers are obviously not a new thing. They do not necessarily need to be identical to their companion. They just mean that people can get airborne and build up airmanship in a representative (fast jet) type.
It’s interesting that even a large Air Force can see the same problem that we have identified ourselves.
BV