Getting back to Harriers, one of the many discussions continues over on
the Daly History Blog.
If you look at the comments, you will see the thoughts of an ex SHAR driver and CO.
Likewise, if you look at the petition and see who has signed, you will see many people who do have experience of carrier operations, which I very strongly suspect the SDSR authors do not. To think that you could have no carrier flying for ten years, and then suddenly pick up the baton.
About three years ago I was aboard
Illustrious whilst she was doing fixed wing flying work ups. Whilst in the dinner queue one evening I found a magazine loafing. There was an article by a senior aviator (no names - but I guess he should be quite well known amongst FAA types) commenting that there was a danger of future FAA personnel being able to operate from land but becoming unfamiliar with the shipboard environment and deck operations. I guess his views were not asked for!