WSO/WSOp choices are:
E-3D SENTRY
MQ-9 REAPER
SENTINEL R1
RIVET JOINT
SHADOW R1
CHINOOK HC2/2A
PUMA HC1
MERLIN HC3
SEA KING HAR3/3A
TORNADO GR4
C-17A GLOBEMASTER
HERCULES C4/C5 (J Model)
55(R) Sqn, 207(R) Sqn and 60(R) Sqn will probably wind back a bit but start to see movement of some of the "golden oldies" soon depending on what happens to MFTS - some vacancies might be possible?
I've left out TRISTAR, HERCULES C1/C3 and VC10 as they go out of service in the next 3-4 years or so.
I really can't imagine it is "game over" if you're willing to move and willing to wait for OCUs. You may have to cross-over specialisations, but hey, there are plenty that have done this before. Also, what about pilot crossovers for the under 30s?
So of the 180odd without portfolio at present, maybe 50% will want to take redundancy payment and an IP/EDP - that leaves about 90. I know that there are about 35 WSO/WSOp places coming up in the next 18 months on at least 2 of the above platforms for quality individuals; so if your F5200s are a good read then shouldn't have any issues.
Keep the faith brother, I am sure that some brighter news will come soon.
LJ
PS. If you think you have it tough then at least you're not a Harrier pilot. There's just Typhoon and GR4 to choose from and I understand that OCUs are "chocker" at present (especially with the small draw down of GR4). I heard rumours that they might offer some back-seats to the younger Harrier-jocks in GR4 until OCUs and F-35C come around! (I say again, just a rumour!). Also, all that single-engine viffy-viffy nozzley-nozzley stuff doesn't cut it with the Airlines any more - they'll need to get some proper ME time to be competitive for the long-haul jobs (ie. the well paid ones) as they will probably only have a frozen ATPL(A).
