Biggus,
I hadn't heard about limiting service for Career Spine sqn ldrs to age 44 - that would certainly be news to me, but then again, why should they tell me?
I do know that some in the RN are only guaranteed service to age 50 with a one year rolling extension after that, but 44 seems a bit too unkind!
Regarding groundtours for PAS officers. I'd heard of a few, but maybe it's more widespread than I'd thought - better keep my head down!
But I suppose it should work the other way too and get rid of the argument that prevents CS officers transferring to the PAS because there aren't enough flying tours for them and they would have to stay in a desk job!