DD and Tim C.. .. .It was about 2 years ago now that the decision was taken to stop recruiting Direct Entrants into the Air Eng world. Around about the same time that it was decided to allow the Air Eng branch to "Wither on the vine". That's why we aren't part of the rearcrew re-shuffle.. .. .Only serving airmen are now eligible to apply. We often get would be applicants coming to us for a visit. So far none of them have gone on to apply!! Our advice is quite sound, do NOT consider the Air Eng role, even for a moment.. .. .Whilst it may have short term manning problems which may/will stretch into the medium term, there is no doubt that long term (2010??) there WILL be a considerable draw down in the numbers of Flight Engineers. Leaving, ultimately, a core of a couple of dozen commisioned Air Eng's.. .. .Our advice here, is to priority one apply for ALM. A growth industry, and if you really have to, then apply for Aeop or what ever warm PC term it is now.(Wsop). .. .Bottom line, the urge to fly and earn lots of dosh by becoming a plastic sergeant soon wears off when you are faced with having to spend 12 years + at Ice Station Kilo!! An awful lot of Aeop students withdraw from training after about 6 or 7 months. This usually coincides with the 2 week famil visit to Ice Station Kilo!!. .. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> But remember, Airmen Aircrew don't have a recruitment or retention problem <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />