It is a shame that successive financial squeezes have so changed the purpose and ethos of UAS. The flying syllabus is much more restricted: I wonder how many manage to work their way throught the syllabus as far as PFB (the syllabus for which has also been downgraded) these days?
No it isn't. The current and future Air Force requires more Officers to have far more skills than flying small aeroplanes around the UK. If it is more inclusive and focuses upon the skills that transfer into most all Branches, then it is a better thing for the RAF as a whole. Regardless of what drives the changes, something that is more open to the development of individuals in an RAF environment but isn't flying is excellent and possibly a far greater return on investment.