a) Is there still a shortage of pilots? - No shortage of applicants, certainly, and I doubt the pilot intake is below target.
b) On a scale of 1-10, how difficult do you think it is for beloveds at home when you're on duty? - On duty, or on operations in Iraq/Afg.? Ops will be hard for families, and very hard for some.
c) Excluding any rises in line with inflation, does pay rise annually? Yes, find the annual tables on the RAF's web site.
Crack on with your application and good luck