DBTW,
I agree with what you're saying. However as the last two posters have stated, we now have to pitch to a different market.
Just to assume that every graduated pilot wants to go FJ just isnt the case any more. ACG has to sell itself, and this is where they fall down.
Telling the students at BFTS/2FTS that they can look forward to 12 hour days six days/week, 200 hours/year, be burnt out by the time you reach your mid-30s, and then having to work incredibly hard for the priviledge doesn't cut it with them.
Additionally, Australian governments just don't have the balls to use our FJ units to anywhere near their capacity. This means that the young 'uns look elsewhere for operational experience, hence the increased interest in Hercs, P3s and C17s.
ACG need to bite the bullet and send some family models to Tamworth and Pearce regularly and take some of the kiddies for a ride.