Muppet,
thanks for stating the obvious as far as the Blue Peter audience is concerned. The thing is, things won't get better as far as recruiting is concerned, certainly not as far as pilots and aircrew in general are concerned. Those 13 year olds will need to be at university aswell if they want to fly.
Gentstabler
I regret to inform you that you are 100% incorrect as far as your last statement (3) goes. And even if you were remotely correct, their chances of flying with the team are almost nil. Even as a Sqn Cdr pilot, I was told in no uncertain terms that there was no chance of me going for a jolly with them. As for my lumpy jumper remark, I didn't say that the choice of backseaters was down to the team. I know how it works and I know that in the main, they have little, if any say. It is the constant 'good
PR seeking at any cost' attotude of those at the top that I dislike.