ICBM
"Perhaps if 1SL was an aviator not a sub/frigate driver, JFH would still be grooming dark and light blue cloth for JCA. Celebrating a combined success in Libya with the rest of Combat Air and training for STOVL CEPP as we speak. "
Fair point, however one of the bonuses of getting the carriers is that the the boss of the RN will probably become an aviator again like they were before we stepped away from proper conventional carriers.
When your "teeth" asset is the carrier rather than the bombers, then the route to 1SL will most palmost certainly involve Captain of a carrier just like the old days, and most (nearly all?) carrier captains are aviators.
Widger
Nice to see that you and engines are offloading me for the crab baiting.
Ivor Nydia
" If every other nation (USMC, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, India, Thailand etc) manages to commit naval aviation on varying degrees of a part-time basis, does the UK have to pay to do full-time USN tailhook-style carrier ops"
France is not part time, and has vastly lower OC than we aspire to due to their carrier problems.
Italy, Spain, Russia, India, Thailand etc are just playing at it.
It is better not to do it at all rather than just play at it. The worst waste of money is to spend 80% of whats needed and end up with a useless vanity project.
USMC are in no way part time on carrier or otherwise.
The USMC is about the same size as our entire armed forces, and vastly more capable due to their equipment and training budget.
With multiple carriers, they are in no way comparable. There is more to doing naval aviation properly than just the pilots, and the USMC take it very seriously.