"Expertise"?
Who says Cobham's aircrews couldn't stand around in carparks all day smoking and gas-bagging?
If it only takes a short 'practice' flight every month to keep up the "expertise", I don't see why Cobham's frequently airborne crews couldn't do it too.
Its going to be interesting to see how all of this pans out.
Anyone know where the new Alliance base is going to be if it isn't going to be in the Pearl hangar?