Shortage of Helicopter Pilots?

[minigundiplomat]

I hope that you don't lose the AH to the RAF. Just under 2 years ago we were asked to canvass the Sqn for volunteers to go on Apache exchange with the AAC. Not one volunteer came forward, that's both overtly and covertly; if that's not a confidence boost that no-one want's that job in it's current guise, I don't know what is. Right now, what most blokes want is a tour on the 7, 18 or 27 Sqn (Chinooks for the uneducated) and to join the hallowed DFC crowd.

I agree with most of your post, but the above statement is not strictly true. A mate of mine pushed very hard for the exchange and is there now. However, it took longer than it should as the staish at the time tried to bury it, and it was only by buttonholing an Air Officer at a dinner that he managed to escape to the AAC on exchange.