I have been a rotary crewman for ten years with time as a ground trade before that. I do not wish the current system of NCA and officer pilots to change; I fail to see any serious cash saving. Furthermore, with such a small air force the RAF can afford to be very picky about the calibre of pilots it recruits. Why settle for a SNCO pilot whom would not be deemed suitable for a commission when you can employ the cream?
It is good to see though, that a crewman is shortly to become the boss of a rotary Sqn. Well done!