Tiger_mate,
There was dialogue and visits between DHFS and AACen which did improve the situation and also led to DHFS taking on a little more night flying training. But this does not make Shawbury a credible alternative to deliver the full spectrum of training for Army pilots.
The fact that no one embraced the chance to reveiw whether DHFS output standards were compatable with input expectations after multi engine doesn't logically mean that people were happy with that either (As you said, out of office, deployed, apathy maybe?). A similair question was asked by AACen with regards to the output standard of the Lynx CTT. This led to a Conversion To Role course in addition to the CTT which went a large way to reducing the training gap and the burden on the Regiments to train new pilots to CR standard. Middle Wallop has been ideally suited to this task and only time will tell what effect moving Wildcat to Yeovilton in toto will have on how the Army operates this new aircraft.
I have no doubt that DHFS are receptive to change and rightly so if they want to survive in these harsh times. But that doesn't make them the solution. I think Middle Wallop has more than a strong case for it's future and its Commandant is right to push and highlight this
.
I'd also agree that most military helicopter crews have battlefield focus and mission effect well squared
.
Fly safe.