BEagle
There are some who are most definitely in the loop as it were not just to the history, but some of the proposals for the future.
Some of your statements ring true, but as one who has experienced all 3 types mentioned, then the Firefly is suitable for EFT. A 250'MSD clearance a la 'dog would be an advantage, but it still does the job very nicely and sorts the men out from the boys in prep for BFJT in a way the Grob cannot. (I should imagine that use of the rudder, energy management and the ability to think ahead in aeros to maintain base ht rather than gain during a sequence you would deem acceptable)
And yes, I've also taught BFJT - so I can compare the end product!
Agree that ideally we woiuld all complete BFJT. That would also remove the current snag of QFI's not having previously experienced the syllabus and platform on which they teach!
But please don't lump the RN with the AAC as advocates of pure RW throughput. We value our fixed wing time and gain some useful skills, streaming etc from it.
B*gger - cover blown - chaff banter quick! (Bl**dy Crabs!)