Glad to see the great tradition of PPRUNErs is alive and well..ending up miles off thread. But never one to break tradition..here goes.
As an outsider to the AAC, I do not feel fully qual to comment in depth about E3 etc, etc, but a JHC matey is and keeps me in the know(ish!)
I believe you (AAC & E3 Types) are just going through the pains of restructuring for AH. It is really a case of numbers and requirement. Much the same for all 3 services on intro of new aircraft or structure, etc. FAA going through complete Trade Review for aircraft techs to meet new SHAR / GR9 structure (2 x RN Heavy and 2 x RAF Heavy units) for example.
Fact- the AAC aircraft state is to reduce by 100 odd frames.-Result less pilots required. Fact - need to keep permanent cadre employed to terms of service- Result less other arms (NCO or Officer) required. Indeed, expect very few other arms to be selected for training over next few years. About 3-4 Officers and about the same for NCOs. Those currently in and flying can expect fair chance to re-cap badge (mainly NCOs) until full pilot and LE officer manning is achieved for new AH establishments.
About 04 / 05, then expect tap to turn off. Fact - requirement driven. Nothing really to do with boards and such like, they just sit to justify and officialise pre-empted decisions on numbers and requirment e.g. QHIs needed for AH programme. Not a black art.
On the LE side it is again requirement driven. Loads of DE short to fill desk jobs-accelerate young lads to go out into wider Army (bear in mind that is what they were recruited for!) and make up the internal jobs with LE. Add need to fill new AH establishments..hey presto, good odds of picking up a SSC LE.
But Health Warning, as Beaver points out..look after number one. If the AAC becomes overborne lots of LE to polyfill these gaps and by chance DE types elect to stay (FRI, command an AH Sqn, become Comd 16 AAB for example), the new establishments get filled..many who hang their lives on staying to 55 (REG C LE, Maj pension, get on the PA spine etc) are going to be very disapointed
6 years and a Capts pension for you my boy! Loadshedding will become the order of the day.
By the way I understand the AAC have similar terms as RAF Rotary as Green Bottle points out. 4 years post CTT...but we all know about Time Bars then!
Jeep makes a good point..ALL military aviators are proffessionals. There mere fact some decide to take one tour and say "Thanks for the experience" is hardly cause for high blood pressure, if the training budget allows. Which, for the Army it appears it does.
What about these auth sheets then?
