Not as such. it was decided [to universal agreement] that 10 hours of terror in a trauma-hawk didn't really help with the understanding of airways control and IFR traffic. With the demise of the universal aerodrome rating, Area trainees will now get flight simulator time to show them the mysteries of airways route flying and flight-deck ops, which is deemed [and I agree] far more pertinent to the job at hand. This of course means that all the studes don't get a fortnight in a caravan in Wales playing cards and drinking ale which was most agreeable but cost the company £120,000 per year.
DwB
