What are there more of the RAF, pilots or Officers?
So far, 99% of the animosity in this thread seems to devolve to the fact that UAS' no longer provide pilot training and that their raison d'etre is null and void. Anybody currently on the UAS, or having left one in the last 2 years has - more than likely - zero exposure to the 'old' system, so couldn't care less how things used to be. Yes, UAS' may not provide the RAF with ready-made pilots, but those who successfully complete 3 years with their local squadron will be far better prepared to be JOs. Ultimately, what's more useful? For every pilot there needs to be an IntO, a JEngO, LogO [or whatever they're going to be called], Provost, Doctor, Dentist, Ops, ATC and ABM, so why is training geared towards providing JOs sneered at?
Tankertrashnav, if you're after a consensus I reckon you're out of luck!