The first group of pilots who are being re-treaded are very much post wings....over 3000 - 4000 hours type guys. One is a 21/2 and the others are Lts The next batch may be more junior. The RN is desperately short of Observers...somewhere in the region of 30-35% gapped. Critical shortness....which is why the extreme measures of retreading experienced pilots to be Observers is taking place.