Additional post to add:
It is not only Pilots where I believe what I have posted above applies. It is all trades within the RAAF. Have a look at Aircraft Techo's now vs even ten years ago. The whole RAAF is changing. Techo's now wouldn't have a clue as to how to take apart a fuel control unit or trouble shoot an actual WRA. They are now simply Removal and Installation specialists. Everything is sent back to OEM or manufacturer for anything other than basic repair and overhaul. In fact I had a rather senior RAAF officer tell me about 6 months ago, that with the introduction of all the new airframes, the RAAF doing absolutely nothing except flightline stuff, in about 20 or so years the only people on aircraft still in uniform will be Pilots and Gunnies! If you think about it and actually look with both eyes open, you can see how this statement might indeed be more than a senior officers musings.... (Sorry to get off topic - back to pilot retention now
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Cheers CB