The USAF already have pilot wings for RPA pilots
I see no reason why we won't do the same. The straight through aviators that the UK recently trained have done 35 odd hours on the Grob, another 60 odd in the Tucano Sim (to get an IRT), a few hours in the Tucano, a fundamentals course for RPA pilots that includes some synthetic training and then an OCU for type conversion and live flying. All in all they have about the same amount of flying as a graduate from 45(R) Sqn and we give them wings, so why not? There was an article in Flight last month all about this and a trial that 22 Group conducted very successfuly.
When it comes to flying pay, it is after all retention pay. So when the National Police Aviation Service, HM Coastguard, the electricity/gas companies start using RPAS or UAS for their work, we will need to retain our pilots. Again I can see no reason why not.
On the subject of the RAF flying badge, why should a RPA pilot wear anything different? The RAF does not distinguish between a helicopter, fast jet, transport, air-air refuelling and ISTAR pilot - a pilot is a pilot and the RPA pilots will have gone solo and have about 200hrs of hands on time (live and synthetic).
Of course, resistance to change is a natural human trait for the outspoken minority.
Cpl Clott