Test of the mettle of an IOT flt cdr was generally reckoned to be "how far will you let a cadet march in the wrong direction?". SPTA, night, flight has just been thrown out of a helicopter. "Which way, Bloggs?", I asked. Bloggs, who wanted a career inthe RAF Regt, replied "South, Sir", and duly set off in a northerly direction. "What's that up there?" from me after about 10 minutes. "Star, Sir". "Bright isn't it", I hinted. Rest of flight mutter in Bloggs's ear. "Norf Star", says Bloggs brightly, and is about to set off north again. "Where is the North star in the sky?", I hint again. Muttering in the flight. "Sorry Sir, we need to go the other way". We start retracing our steps - "What's that Bloggs", as a very bright light appears ahead. "'Nuver star, Sir", replies Bloggs. "So why is it making that bloody noise?" as Bloggs realises he is about to lead the flight under a landing helicopter. No, he did not reach "the standard required for commissioning".